Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Earth Day Celebration in Montpelier

UNION INSTITUTE & UNIVERSITY'S MONTPELIER CENTER TO HONOR EARTH DAY
SATURDAY, APRIL 18th

MONTPELIER – Union Institute & University (UI&U) will honor Earth Day, April 18, with a day of events, including workshops and film presentations, at the university’s Montpelier Center on College Hill.

Throughout the day, the B.A. graduating class of June 2009 will hold a raffle, with many prizes including gift certificates from local businesses, artwork, a baby quilt, and more. The raffle is the graduating class community service project and all proceeds will go to Prevent Child Abuse Vermont.

Events Schedule:

1:30 – 2:30 p.m.: B.A. faculty member Susan Sawyer will offer a Montpelier spring tree walk close to campus. Participants should meet at Stone Science Hall, 62 Ridge St.
1:30 – 2:30 p.m. B.A. faculty member Sharyn Layfield will conduct a Tai Chi/Yoga session in Noble Reading Room in Noble Hall, College Street. Wear loose clothing and bring a towel and/or mat.
2:50 – 3:50 p.m., B.A. faculty member Lucinda Bliss will offer a drawing workshop in Stone Science Hall, Room 202. Participants will experiment with charcoal, pencil, and watercolor. The subject will be a still life with some fun but challenging characteristics! Materials will be provided.
7 p.m. Viewing of the film, Everything’s Cool, a “toxic comedy” about global warming, will be shown in Noble Lounge in Noble Hall on College Street B.A. faculty will facilitate a discussion after the film.

All events are free and open to the public. Raffle tickets will be available for sale on Saturday, April 18 ($1 per ticket, or six for $5). For more information, contact Suzanne Desch, B.A. program, 802-828-8884.

Homeless in Cincinnati Symposium May 1

UNION INSTITUTE & UNIVERSITY TO HOST SYMPOSIUM ON THE HOMELESS IN CINCINNATI ON MAY 1
Daylong event features experts on issues facing community and individuals

CINCINNATI – Union Institute & University (UI&U) today announced their Spring 2009 Symposium titled “The State of the Homeless in Cincinnati.” The daylong event is open to the public and will be held Friday, May 1 at the university’s headquarters in Walnut Hills. The event features presentations and discussions led by area experts and advocates, including Ohio Congressman Steve Driehaus; Josh Spring, executive director of the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless; and Wayde Smith Sr., executive director of Superjobs.

This important symposium is part of the ongoing efforts by UI&U to provide socially relevant programs to the entire community. “Through its learners, alumni, and faculty, Union’s emphasis has always been on finding creative and lasting solutions to the issues that affect our communities,” said UI&U President Dr. Roger H. Sublett. “The state of the homeless is a topic that demands our attention and given our location in the heart of the city, we believe we have not only an opportunity – but an obligation to initiate dialogue and work collaboratively and creatively to find solutions and make change.”

UI&U faculty Bari Kraus, MSW, will facilitate the event that brings together more than 12 local experts in several areas relevant to the homeless community, including legal issues, housing, employment, and mental health. Among the presenters is Deborah Brundidge, MSW, counseling team coordinator for the Drop Inn Shelter, who will begin the discussions with a presentation titled, “The Overall Consequences of Poverty.” Dr. Larry Preston, dean of UI&U’s Ph.D. in interdisciplinary studies program will co-present “The Role of Government” with Rep. Driehaus, and Mary Burke, executive director of the Over-the-Rhine Housing Community, will address housing services for the homeless.

The event will take place May 1, from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., at Union Institute & University, 440 East McMillan Street, Walnut Hills. The event is open to the public however, seating is limited. Reservations required by April 24. Parking and admission is free. Boxed lunches will be available for $10 per person. To reserve a seat, please contact Juanita Johnson at 513-487-1163 or email: Juanita.johnson@myunion.edu.