Colby Echo News October 29, 2015 TFA Rep
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THE OLBY CHO Volume CXXXVIII, No. 6 C Published by Colby Students since 1877 E October 29, 2015 Family Homecoming Edition Trustees, Bradley discuss multiculturalism on campus SGA hosted a panel on multiculturalism on October 22. Courtesy of Jenna Rumbke in education, eliciting varied re- management, I realized that the change both within themselves to envision a different reality.” BY PEG SCHREINER sponses. Bradley noted that she people making decisions for and systematically.” She noted that the Pugh Center News Editor “had always wanted to teach mid- educational policy were not rep- Earle said that one of the suc- strives to be one of those places. dle and high school students, and resentative of their constituents, cessful ways in which his de- In response to Bradley’s point On October 22, the Student as time progressed [she] got more in large part.” Earle has since partment has begun to diversify about envisioning change, Government Association (SGA) excited about that possibility, but been working within his depart- is through the realization that Burrell-McRae, who was one of hosted a discussion on multi- also learned that there are other ment to make sure that his orga- the issue “is not about affir- four students who fought for the culturalism between members ways to engage in education out- nization is able to connect with mative action or doing what is invention of the Pugh Center in of the Board of Trustees, Se- side of the classroom experience.” all of the communities that it right, it is actually about succes- 1993, said that the Center has nior Associate Dean for Diver- That realization prompted her to represents, which is incredibly sion planning. People need to “ended up being bigger than we sity and Inclusion Tashia Brad- explore the field of multicultural difficult given that New York is learn to link back to state demo- envisioned, or demanded, at the ley, and students. In an official affairs and “educational structures the “most individually diverse graphics, and understand that time. It is so much bigger and notice email, SGA wrote that create change and engage others.” state in the country,” according whether or not you actively seek better and revolutionary.” the talk would engage students Burrell-McRae reiterated to Earle. diversity, you are going to get it.” Dean of Religious and Spiri- about “multiculturalism, diver- some of Bradley’s sentiments In response to Earle’s reflec- tual Life Kurt D. Nelson asked sity and inclusion in education” when reflecting on her career tions Arriaga asked the panel- the panelists what they think and builds on the College’s com- path: “It chose me, I didn’t ists how they thought working the College should aspire to, mitment to “an inclusive com- choose it. As an immigrant towards multiculturalism has and how, as long-term members munity and a desire to engage child, I don’t think that I was changed since they were in col- of this community, people can students with Trustees and the encouraged to necessarily con- lege, and how they currently effect change. Administration.” The panel was sider education…because my work to effect change. Bradley responded that com- one of the first events of the parents wanted me to pick a Burrell-McRae stated that “[Students] must munity members should con- Board’s October meeting. career where I could sustain in her 22 years of working to- sider the opportunity to make In addition to Bradley, the myself, and the American edu- wards increased diversity in enact change both change structurally, which Earle panel included trustees Karlene cation system doesn’t always af- a professional sense, multi- said he thinks is already under- Burrell-McRae ’94 and Steven ford that.” After finding her own culturalism has moved from within themselves way. He noted that he has “never Earle ’79. Burrell-McRae is the path in the administrations of the premise that “particular seen such diversity within the Director of the Office of Multi- educational institutions, howev- types of students are com- and systemati- faculty as [he does] now,” and cultural Student Affairs and As- er, Burrel-McRae now believes ing into hostile environments that students are starting to get sociate Dean of Students at the that the field “is about paying it and we need to create spaces cally.” opportunities to engage in con- University of Chicago, where back and moving forward.” She particularly and exclusively versations about multicultural- she “provides programmatic said, “I continue to do what I do for them.” While she does not Karlene Burrell-McRae ’94 ism in spaces all across campus. and strategic leadership for and because I see the growth in both believe that we are in a post- Burrell-McRae agreed that the coordination of the work of the myself and the students I serve racial or “post-anything” so- Trustee “curriculum should be keeping Office of Multicultural Students through my work.” ciety, Burrell-McRae believes up with our world,” and that Affairs and CSL diversity and Earle began his career in edu- that “all of us have an identity “intellectual curiosity and rigor inclusion-related initiatives,” ac- cation as a recruiter for the State that is disenfranchised and should flow out of the classroom cording to the university’s web- University of New York, with we need folks who have more into all parts of life on campus.” site. Earle works in the Office for a focus on recruiting students privileged identities to actu- Earle said that former Col- Diversity and Access in the New from New York City who were ally enact change.” lege President William R. Cotter York State Education Depart- often minorities. After noting Burrell-McRae further said Bradley said she believes that prompted the focus on diversity ment. SGA Multicultural Affairs that this was not the path he that she currently fights for in order to enact change, there at the College, and that “it felt Chair Ramon Arriaga moderated imagined during his time as an multiculturalism by making needs to be “spaces on college transformative at the time.” Ear- the discussion. American Studies major on the sure her students “do not spend campuses where people are ac- le continued by saying he feels Arriaga opened the discussion Hill, Earle described some of the all of their time in one kind of tively thinking through what the same sense of excitement by asking the panelists what in- challenges of his field: “When I space” and through encourag- it means to disrupt particular with the introduction of current spired them to pursue a career began to focus on workforce ing the “privileged to enact behaviors, and what it means President David A. Greene. Local: Features: Opinions: A&E: Sports: Brawl breaks out Conversation with Why Hillary’s emails AlunaGeorge Football earns first at Waterville bar Artur Fass don’t matter comes to campus win of the season p. 3 p. 5 p. 7 p. 8 p. 12 Page 2 | The Colby Echo News October 29, 2015 TFA rep. comes to campus Guests discuss grassroots development ing from you.” Seay and Ruge had plans years, decided to solve the problem by in- BY LIZ PAULINO ately about social justice in the teach- BY ADDIE BULLOCK of bringing a delegation of students from troducing a new crop to the area with Contributing Writer ing profession and joining Teach for Asst. Local News Editor Kikuube to Colby this year, but were only his company Raintree Farms. Ruge and America and what that means. I feel as granted two visas. Raintree farms decided to start growing Thoughout its 26-year history, though I should just say that, person- On October 19, the College welcomed Milly Businge, the LC1 chairperson moringa, a plant whose powders and Teach for America (TFA) has had a ally, when I look at the reality of rates of Milly Businge, LCI chairperson of Ki- of Kikuube village, spoke on a variety of oils are a popular nutritional supple- strong presence on the Hill: more than school completion and graduation for kuube village, and her son, Teddy Ruge, topics, discussing the food, security, and ment that is high in protein, calcium, 140 Colby alumni have taught as corps underprivileged students that I have the founder of Raintree Farms, remit.ug, sustainability issues that face her village, iron and vitamin C. The plant thrives members. According to its website, worked with., for the realities in terms and Hive Colab, both from Uganda. As- as well as the struggles of being a wom- in tropical climates like Uganda and TFA accepted 6,000 corps members to of what students of color have grown sistant Professor of Government Laura an in government. Before the election requires less upkeep than sugar cane. their ranks in 2013, 5,300 corps mem- up with in low income communities, Seay, who is currently on sabbatical, or- to her current position, local leadership Most importantly, it takes only three bers in 2014 and only 4,100 in 2015. I think that’s a crisis personally and it’s ganized the event. Many people attended was entirely male and was unwilling to months to fully cultivate, ensuring food The organization has played an im- one that I feel really strongly about.” the talk, attracting a diverse mix of stu- let a woman into office. Businge, frus- security and a regular income. Raintree portant role in the post graduate lives Something else that was touched dents and professors, including students trated by the system, remarked to the Farms employs twelve local women, of a number of Colby students, notably on was involvement of the private from classes that Businge and Ruge had audience that she remembers asking and has placed a heavy emphasis on through the recruitment of students sector in education.