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Campus Life Blog

The Office of Campus Life brings the college experience to life at IU Southeast, and Seuth Chaleunphonh is the office’s new Dean. It’s his job to keep the entire Campus Life operation running smoothly and to keep the student body at IU Southeast engaged, entertained and educated beyond the classroom.

View the Fall 2008 Campus Life Events Calendar (PDF) >>

Diversity in Words - 03/18/2009

IU Southeast recently finished a month of celebrating diversity on campus.  Some events included the Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation; gospel music; Soul Food Day; children’s events at the Ogle Cultural and Community Center about Jackie Robinson, storytelling, and freedom from slavery; a visit from the South Africa Ambassador; the Black History Month Symposium; and our annual International Festival.

During this time, I came to appreciate words and how powerful they can be.  I am not only referring to words in the English language, but words spoken from our bilingual campus community too.  Our words are not only for communicating our needs or opinions; they do not just help us navigate through classes or teaching schedules – but words give us life and identity.  Listen to yourself each day and how carefully or carelessly you choose your words. 

I have heard words spoken from our President to encourage our country to see the world through different lenses or perspectives.  I have heard words from IU Southeast students that embraced their identity as our nation’s hope for the future.  I have heard words declaring how misunderstood a group has felt and words of frustration about being disrespected.  Students have expressed nervous words about their insecurities.  There have been words from voices of joy and words relaying good news – a new job, new birth, or new relationship.  Words of anger and words of sensitivity present themselves each day.  It is our choice to set our daily tone through our choice of words and how we respond to others.

Abolitionist Frederick Douglass once said, “If there is no struggle, there is no progress,” challenging us to be open to conversations and ideas that may initially make us uncomfortable, but may lead to personal growth and change for the better.

Whether responding to a student, faculty or support staff, what we say and how we say things affects the progress of the formation of our campus’ nurturing environment.  When we strive beyond tolerance and reach appreciation and understanding of diversity, then we are able to fully reach our potential as successful, lifelong learners who are better equipped to achieve any endeavor.

For those who missed the MLK Convocation, the following is a copy of student Chris Daniels’ spoken word presentation:

It all started with a dream,

A dream to be accepted,

A dream to be respected,

A dream never to be discouraged

But motivating those to walk proud with courage

Dr. King fought for every man to be treated the same

Given equal rights

Not encounter slander or disdain

Although your clouds cause rain and inflicted pain

Our sunlight still broke through

Standing strong

We still remained

Our ancestors marched

Never grew tired

Didn’t give up hope

Still managed to inspire

Didn’t matter if they were caught in the crossfire

Or being blocked by fields of barbwire

Travelin’ miles and miles and miles and miles

Just to see the future get higher

Ain’t nothin’ flyer than a man determined to do his thing

Building people up

Leading this nation to change

It ain’t that kind where the Republicans left us with a few cents

But sense bringing me and you together

Where ain’t nobody better

And all that old stuff is past tense

I know Brother Martin couldn’t be here this day

He’s looking down from above

Showing so much love

And sending his praise!

c.j.d. 11/21/2009