May 12, 2010 Dedicated to Informative Excellence Issue 7 Spring 2010 Unique Forum Sheds Light on LGBT Issues by Joseph White On Tuesday, May 4, 2010, the Center for Tolerance and Understanding, the Rainbow Alliance Club, the Urban Unity Club and the Office of Student Life partnered for a special panel – Fostering Support for BCC’s LGBT Community – that addressed some of the issues facing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students on campus. The program was the first of its kind in many years but it was an important first step in acknowledging the growing number of LGBT students on campus. Of special note is the fact that much of the planning and organizational work for this forum was student driven. The panel, moderated by Laconia Therrio, featured Student Development faculty member, Prof. Marilyn Russell, Victor Rajcoomar from the Center for Sustainable Energy, and students Sharon Chin and William Murray from the Rainbow Alliance and Urban Unity clubs. The panelists all evoked instances at the College where lesbian and gay students have felt shut out of the mainstream of college life. Rajcoomar added, however, Spokenword artist La Bruja performs while moderator Laconia Therrio and panelists Simply Rob and Katina Douveas that one positive path to acceptance is for students to look on. Photo by Andrew Rowan become engaged in the fabric of campus life and to not isolate themselves in LGBT matters only. Russell added members, from faculty to staff to students, to consider a gay child, stressed that all places and spaces on campus that the College has in the past offered counsel to LGBT the many circumstances that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and should be safe zones, and that it is the responsibility of students but that the support has not been sustained over transgender people face on a daily basis – from coming the entire College community to ensure that a climate of time. She hoped that this forum would be the first in many out of the closet to living and adjusting in a homo/bi/trans- respect exists universally. other initiatives that will bring visibility to issues in BCC’s phobic and heterosexist society. One student noted, in a Additional programs and forums are being LGBT community and that it would also bring other voices bittersweet reflection, that she was excited to see this kind planned for 2010-2011, and suggestions from the College into the discussion. Both Murry and Chin noted that the of public discussion around LGBT issues but sad that she community are welcomed. Fostering support for BCC’s two new clubs – the Rainbow Alliance and Urban Unity – is graduating this spring and will not be on campus to more LGBT community is now on the map, especially with have brought together both gay and straight students. fully engage in further activities. the formation of the Rainbow Alliance and Urban Unity The program also featured LGBT activists and When the panel ended, audience members had an clubs. For more information on how to get involved with spoken-word artists, La Bruja, Simply Rob and Katina opportunity to speak directly with panelists during a post- the Center for Tolerance and Understanding, the Office of Douveas. They brought a personal perspective and program reception. There was a lot of energy in the room Student Life or clubs on campus, contact Student Life in performance flair that electrified the audience. as well as engaging discussions about next steps for similar Meister Hall, room 202, or become a fan of our Facebook The discussion was rich and allowed for audience programs on campus. One BCC student, who is a father of page at:http://www.facebook.com/BCCStudentLife. BCC Students Explain Math and Science Theories in Meister Hall Poster Exhibit Bronx Community College (BCC) mathematics, to study biology. Eventually, he plans to become a doctor. computer science, chemistry, biology and social science He contends that it is vital that people understand the power students proudly showed off their research, conducted behind the science, and that effective communication is under the guidance of professor-mentors, at the College’s key. Posters can break down the process and help people annual Math and Science Fair. Held in Meister Hall, their understand enough to appreciate the importance of what is exhibits were supported by poster displays of graphs, text, being presented. photos, drawings and charts. “This kind of project is important because it “The fair is the celebration of undergraduate helps motivate students by providing opportunities for research. And research is the ultimate learning tool, the true research,” says Biology Professor Charles Maliti, who embodiment of active learning,” states Dr. Maria Psarelli, mentors Guard and Villar. The professor believes that by professor of math and faculty coordinator of the Alliance working with a mentor, students can develop scientific for Minority Participation in Science, Engineering and skills that can be transferred to other scientific disciplines Mathematics. such as physics and psychology. The student research exhibits included “Among the students who participate in this fair, Jeffrey Guard stands in front of his phytoremediation “Side Effects of Aspartame, an Artificial Sweetener,” some are the College’s best. I am confident that they will poster at BCC’s science fair. “Environmental Justice Issues in the Bronx,” “Cramer’s also be the best elsewhere, in senior colleges and in their Rule in Boolean Algebra” and more. The fair gave the professions,” says Psarelli. “Hopefully, some of them Dr. Thomas Brennan (Chemistry). BCC student-researchers experience in interpreting their will successfully pursue their own research in graduate projects as they answered questions from observers. The school.” “Toxic Pollutants on the Ecosystem”: Student posters gave fellow students an opportunity to get a closer Student and mentor research projects included McCartney Y. Defran (Nursing) and mentor Dr. look at the world of science. the following: Farnosh Saeedi (Chemistry). BCC student Jeffrey Guard worked on a project with Francisca Villar, a BCC 2009 graduate. Their project “Icosahedron”: Student Adelita Lassu (Digital is “Phytotolerance to Toxic Heavy Metals by American Arts) and mentor Dr. Anthony Weaver (Math & Computer and International Rice Oryza sativa Cultivars L. in Science). vitro.” It studies the use of rice (oryza sativa) cultivars to remove toxic heavy metals from contaminated bodies of Cramer’s Rule in Boolean Algebra”: Students INSIDE THIS ISSUE water and plots of land. “The benefit of this technology Isirikoufoulou Sibabi Akpo and Moutawakilou is that phytoremediation can potentially be an effective Ibrahim (Engineering Science) and mentor Dr. Alexander A Year in the Life tool in removing contaminated waste from water and soil Kheyfits (Math & Computer Science). Page 6 sources,” says Guard. “The implications of this technology are significant in that they provide a powerful tool to “Dynamics of the Sums of Cubes”: Student anyone who knows how to effectively plant rice, which Xavier Aglamey (Computer Science) and mentor Dr. A New Garden is relatively inexpensive compared to other methods for Rony Gouraige (Math & Computer Science). Page 8 cleaning contaminated ecosystems.” “Cobamax–An Enhanced Uptake Form of Ms. Villar, who is a single mother with Vitamin B12”: Student Md Nuruzzaman (Nursing) and Poetry Corner two children, is a busy person. She worked on the mentor Dr. Thomas Brennan (Chemistry). Page 12 & 13 phytoremediation research project and also campaigned in the citywide 2009 mayoral election (receiving 5,300 “Environmental Justice Issues in the Bronx”: votes). Now, she is a student at Lehman College studying Student Jeffrey Cruz (Nursing) and mentor Dr. Summer Reading List anthropology, biology and chemistry and running for Farnosh Saeedi (Chemistry). Page 15 Lehman College Student Government vice president. Guard is the recipient of a $2,500 Michael “Side Effects of Aspartame, an Artificial Steuerman Award. He plans to transfer to Lehman College Sweetener”: Student Indira Codero (Nursing) and mentor 2 The Communicator – May 12, 2010 The Communicator Editorial Policy and BCC Secondhand Smoke Program Fulfills Disclaimer Commitment to Smoking Community The Communicator urges students to submit From the Co-sponsors of the Program articles and editorials to the newspaper. We also encourage students to respond to the Department of Health, Physical Education, and Wellness articles and editorials found in this newspaper. 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