Sandy Vasquez
Asst. Vice-President &
Dean of Students
During the month of February I
have been deeply moved by the powerful conversations I have had with several
students and student club and organization leaders. Each of you carries within
you the power to be a luminary and it is truly amazing to see this light
illuminate through your extraordinary service, leadership and ways in which you
give back to the community.
Several conversations with students this month revolved around the history and power of music in social justice over centuries, the heartbeat within diverse cultures, as an alternative form of healing, self-care, and inspiration, and as a form of liberation and unity dating back to our ancestors, Civil Rights Movements, and beyond.
Music has this intangible reverberating ability to unite and empower communities in our symphony of life. I look forward to celebrating in the Pitzer culture traditions of ONO Fest and Rockabilly that realize this very core of intercultural understanding. May your leadership and work in and out of the classroom continue to be a resounding echo of these values that contribute to our one united community symphony.
I encourage you all to participate in supporting the plethora of events and programs in honor of Black History Month (please see below). In honor of Black History Month and in partnership with the intercultural well being initiatives grounded in the “Strive to Thrive” program, all students are invited to visit the Office of Student Affairs (Scott Hall 120) to submit the title (and artist) of one song that resonates with you when you are at your best, need inspiration, or motivation. Our united playlist will be featured on our “Strive to Thrive” website. Participating students will have the opportunity to be entered to win a chance to attend a special concert by “Black Violin” on their IMPOSSIBLE Tour (see details below).
ENTER TO WIN | Black Violin IMPOSSIBLE Tour
What song resonates with you when you are at your best, need inspiration, or motivation?
Submit title and artist of your song to our united playlist by visiting the Office of Student Affairs (Scott Hall 120) by Tuesday, March 3rd for a chance to attend this special concert with “Black Violin” on their IMPOSSIBLE Tour! Open to Pitzer College students.
With school music programs being culled all across the country, Kev and Wil are concerned that urban youth will not have the benefit of music as a positive alternative to other, more destructive pursuits. With this in mind, they have embarked upon a campaign of social change-using youth orchestras and reinvigorated music programs to show children and teens that they are capable of expressing themselves in ways they have never dreamed. In an age where music is coming to be more and more defined by the labels given to it, Black Violin shows that music does not exist within a box, but rather exists in another space-one as open and unrestrained as the minds that produce it.
News, Updates & Reminders
Updated Passports & Travel – As you prepare to think about things you may consider doing over Spring or Summer break, we encourage students to ensure their passports are up-to-date.
Emergency/Missing Persons Contact Information – If you haven’t done so already, please make sure to log on to your student portal and enter your emergency/missing persons contact information.
Stamps for Mail-In Ballots – If you need a stamp for your mail-in ballot, please come by the Office of Student Affairs (Scott Hall 120) with your ballot envelope to retrieve one at no cost.
New Student Orientation Hiring
OA Trip Leaders, Orientation Logistic Assistants & Academic Guides!
Apply Today – Application Deadline is March 5th!
Cards & Letters – If you would like to send a note to a family member, mentor, friend or other person how has helped you in your journey, cards (like the one to the left made by Academic Coach Connie Helland) and stamps are available at no-cost for students. You can pick them up from Melissa M. Burrows in Scott Hall 120 M-F 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Connie’s Corner
Connie Helland
Academic Coach
Now that classes are in full swing and you are organized (you are, right?), it’s time to start thinking about how you are studying. One good strategy for reducing stress around doing homework is to make a goal of getting at least an hour of homework, reading, studying done before dinner. Too often students start homework in the evening when there are lots of distractions in the dorms and they are tired from the day.
It is really easy to disregard the small chunks of time you have available during the day for studying. Many study tasks can be broken down into chunks that can be completed in under an hour. Take a critical look at your to do list and try to make a new habit of studying earlier in the day. If you would like to schedule a one-on-one coaching appointment, you can contact me at [email protected].
Featured Events and Opportunities
Careers is Psychology with a Pitzer Alumna
Friday, February 21st | 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Catherine Caporale, PhD, will discuss options in psychology: Medicine: MD/Psychiatry; Clinical & Counseling Psychology: PhD, PsyD, MA/LPCC; Social Work: MSW/LCS# – differences in career opportunities (ex. clinical practice, administrative, practical/counseling) and length of preparation to secure the distinction.
Girl Talk: Let’s Talk About Love
Friday, February 21st | 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. | CARE Center @ CMC
Sponsored by the Black Women’s Collective
Black Claremont Presents: Noir Night
Friday, February 21st | 10:30 p.m. – 1:00 a.m. | McKenna Auditorium @ CMC
5C Blaremont Bash is now NOIR NIGHT. Feat. DJ Rose and DJ Professor X, hip-hop, afro-beats, carbbean, trap and reggaeton. Sponsored by Black Claremont
Black Arts Festival
Saturday, February 22nd | 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Motley Coffeehouse @ Scripps
Sponsored by Watu Weusi
Questions? Contact Watu Weusi
True Witness – A Civil Rights Cantata
Saturday, February 22nd | 8:00 p.m. (Pre-Concert Lecture @ 7:00 p.m.) | Garrison Theater @ Scripps
True Witness sets to music the letters, speeches and poems of African-American female poets, activists and civil rights leaders, recognizes the notable contributions of African-American women who helped steer the course of this nation’s civil rights movement. Pre-concert lecture at 7:00 PM in Garrison Theater where panelists discuss the texts of True Witness and the historical significance of African-American women in the civil rights movement. Post-concert discussion with composer and artists. Free Admissions. Event flyer can be viewed here.
The Power of the Word
Sunday, February 23rd | 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. | McKenna Auditoritum @ CMC
Summer fashion show event sponsored by Associated Students of CMC Diversity and Inclusion Committee, Black Women’s Collective and Black Students Association. Event flyer can be viewed here.
Black Power Mixtape Watch Party
Sunday, February 23rd | 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. | Mid Quad Lawn @ CMC
Dinner provided, bring a blanket! Sponsored by CMC Black Student Association. Event flyer can be viewed here.
Career Chat Series: Resume & Cover Letter Do’s and Donuts
Wednesday, February 26th | 4:15 – 5:00 p.m. | Scott Courtyard
Meet in the Scott Courtyard by the Pit Stop and learn about career topics to help you with finding jobs, internships, graduate schools, connecting with alumni and more! Light refreshments will be served. Learn the do’s and don’ts of writing a resume and cover letter. Find out how to communicate your particular skills and talents to employers.
Open Mic for Black Queer, Trans and Intersex Communities
Monday, February 27th | 7:30 p.m. | Doms Lounge @ Pomona
Open mic for comedy, spoken word, music and short stories. Sign ups begin at 7pm. This event centers Black queer, trans and intersex members of the 7C Community. Sponsored by QRC. Questions? Contact the QRC.
Meet & Walk-Over to CMC Consulting Meetup
Friday, February 28th | 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. | Scott Courtyard
Come and meet in Career Services where we can address last minute questions and concerns then walk over to attend the fair. Free padfolios to those who attend! The Claremont McKenna College Consulting fair runs from 2-4 p.m.
Hip Hop & Mental Health: Documentary and Discussion
Friday, February 28th | 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. | Pickford Auditorium – Bauer Center
Short film and talkback exploring hip hop as a means to support mental health for Black communities. Snacks provided. View event flyer here.
An Ode to the Arts Open Mic
Friday, February 28th | 7:30 p.m. | Pomona College Women’s Union
Pomona x Pitzer BSU in collaboration w/ Motormouth and Brown Noise host an open mic/art show. Sponsored by Pomona BSU, Pitzer BSU and PASA.
PAct Presents: Paintball
Saturday, February 29th | 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Sign up in the Office of Student Affairs. In collaboration with POA. Detailed logistics to be posted on Facebook and Student Talk. More information, please contact PAct.
4th Annual Black Intersections Conference: Transition, Transform, Transcend
Saturday, February 29th | 12:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Smith Campus Center @ Pomona
For registration, schedule and full event details visit the Black Intersections Conference website. Open to all. Onsite registration available. Registration rates apply. Sponsored by The Office of Black Student Affairs, The Intercollegiate Department of Africana Studies, Claremont McKenna CARE Center, Scripps College Dean of Students and Office of the Vice President of Student Affairs, Pomona College Academic Dean’s Office, Harvey Mudd College Office of Institutional Diversity and Claremont Graduate University Diversity and Inclusion Committee
Important Links
