Fellow Students,

We've been back for less than three weeks and there is already so much to do! Get focused on climate change at one of the many Focus the Nation events left this week. Join the Black Student Union in kicking off "Green Is the New Black," this year's theme for Black History Month, with a Recycled Prom. Check out leadership opportunities with Greek Life and Student Ambassadors. Cheer on Hockey and Basketball this weekend. Head over to the Fleming Museum for the opening spring exhibitions. And please, as excited as you may be to rush around campus to take advantage of all these opportunities, walk carefully and don't slip!

Always at your service,

Kesha and DaVaughn

In this email:

*What Is SGA Doing For You?

* Are YOU In Focus? Final Days of Focus the Nation!

* This Week In Athletics...

* BSU's Recycled Prom Kicks Off "Green is the New Black" History Month!

* Want a Nifty Blue Blazer and Networking Opportunities? Apply to be a Student Ambassador...

* Co-Founder of Save Darfur Coalition Speaks at UVM This Friday

* Celebrate Super Bowl Sunday at Brennan's

* Seniors, Get Your Winter Ball Tickets!

* Come to the Babysitter Mingler This Saturday

* Audition for Jason Robert Brown's "The Last Five Years" This Weekend

* Phi Delta Theta Information Session Next Week

* American Red Cross Blood and Bone Marrow Drive on February 7

* Alpha Gamma Rho Spring Recruitment

* Celebrate Spring Exhibition Openings at the Fleming Museum Tomorrow

What Is SGA Doing For You?

Ever Felt Marginalized On Campus? Ever Witnessed Discrimination? Say It Now!
The Committee on Diversity, Equity and Environmental Ethics has launched its first ever Say It Now! campaign. Say It Now! is a video project adapted from StoryCorps, a nationwide video journal initiative (www.storycorps.net). Say It Now! is a project in which we invite students from all backgrounds to recall an experience or event that made them feel uncomfortable or marginalized because of a bias towards their racial, sexual, and/or gender identity or towards that of someone close to them while at the University of Vermont. Our goal is to collect these stories on video or in writing and create a film to be shown around campus and on UVMtv. We can schedule times for these interviews whenever it is convenient for you. If you do not feel comfortable on film, please consider submitting a written story- the more the better! This is an opportunity for all students to express themselves and tell a part of their story to fellow students, teachers and administrators.
Please feel free to contact CODEE Chair Jesse Bragg with your questions and concerns ([log in to unmask]).

What's Going On With the Red Cross Debate?
A Message From President Ram...
For those of you wondering what happened to the Red Cross issue after the Senate voted down a ban on the Red Cross using UVM facilities, I just wanted to offer a brief update.  As was articulated several months ago when the Senate debated the presence of the Red Cross, there are two issues at play: the first is the aggressive presence of volunteers seeking blood donations from those who may not be eligible based on their identity, and the second is the overarching Food and Drug Administration policy that places a lifetime deferral of blood donating on men who have had sex with other men since 1978.  To address the first issue, I am developing a memorandum of understanding with the University Administration and the Presidential Commission on LGBT Equity that will create more restrictions on the behavior of Red Cross volunteers as they solicit donors.  To address the second, I am working with Vice President of Federal, State, and Community Relations Karen Meyer to request a joint recommendation from Vermont's federal delegation to the FDA calling for a reevaluation of the lifetime deferral policy.  If you have any further questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at [log in to unmask] or (802) 656-7736.

Welcome UVM Wrestling!
Last night, Senators recognized the UVM Club Wrestling Team as the latest addition to our club sports crew. We look forward to the team's success!
For more information on how to get involved, contact Nick Cafarelli ([log in to unmask]).

What Passed Last Night?
At our last Senate meeting, Senators passed all bills and resolutions. This means UVM Wrestling was recognized and Senators voted to support DC Voting Rights in Congress, to evaluate the Dry Residence Hall Policy, to thank various organizations and departments for making needed security improvements to the residence halls, and to urge support for the recommendations of the Governor's Commission on Higher Education.
Please see all attached resolutions from January 29 and contact the sponsor of any piece of legislation for more information.

Upcoming Legislation...

SGA To Vote on Course Reserve Mandates
The Academic Affairs Committee will be introducing a resolution requesting that any textbook costing more than $75 be put on 2 hour reserve in the library with expenses to be accrued by the University.
See attached legislation and please feel free to contact Academic Affairs Chair Ben Porter with your questions and concerns ([log in to unmask]).

SGA To Review Meal Plan Changes and Debate on Pledge of Support
Senators will be voting on whether or not to support the proposed meal plan, which will institute an average meal plan price increase of approximately 15% or $450.00 per student per semester. This price adjustment is designed to cover costs associated with student demands for specialty products as well as adjustments made to the fifteen different dining facilities and variety of food options on campus.
See attached legislation and please feel free to contact Senator Lauren Abda with your questions and concerns ([log in to unmask]).

Want To Weigh In on the Meal Plan Price Increase?
As always, feel free to share your concerns directly with me, your SGA President, at [log in to unmask] or (802) 656-7736. If you could ask for changes in dining options and food quality in exchange for an increase in price, what specifically would you ask for? I would love to hear your thoughts.  Want to rant unabashedly?  Try [log in to unmask]
See attached recommendations on changes to the meal plan pricing and structure. Some numbers may be subject to change before a final report is released.

This Week In Athletics...

GO CATS GO!

Friday, February 1
Men's Hockey vs. New Hampshire: Gutterson Fieldhouse @ 8:00 PM

Saturday, February 2
Men's Basketball vs. UMBC: Patrick Gym @ 1:00 PM

Sunday, February 3
Men's Hockey vs. UMass-Lowell: Gutterson Fieldhouse @ 4:00 PM

Dear Students,

I still hear students asking one another in the halls, "What is Focus the Nation, anyway?"  Focus the Nation is a national body coordinating faculty, students, and community members at over a thousand schools in the United States to collaboratively engage in a nationwide discussion of ?Global Warming Solutions for America."  Since this important issue has the potential to affect all of us, we would love for everyone in the UVM and Burlington community to take part.

As the Student Government Association President, I would like to share how impressed I am with the dedication and passion student groups have demonstrated in crafting the FTN workshops, teach-ins, lectures, celebrations, performances, and discussions. Already, there have been a number of inspirational events and informative lectures and discussions.  If nothing else, please join us for the culminating Speak Out on Friday, Feb. 1 from 3:40 to 4:30 pm in the Davis Center's Atrium.

For more information, please visit the UVM Focus the Nation website: http://www.uvm.edu/climatechange/FocustheNation/. There, you will find a calendar of events and the contact information of those leading the effort. Also, please feel free to contact me at (802) 656-7736 or via email at [log in to unmask]

Are YOU in focus?

Kesha
Black Student Union Presents Recycled Prom!
"Green is the New Black" History Month

Hosted by Black Student Union and Student Life
Friday, February 1, 2008 from 9:00 pm -12:00 am
Davis Center Livak Ballroom

Dancing, Climate Change Information, and Fun!

Wear recycled clothing or recyclables on your clothing. Please dress appropriately :)
Bring clothes you don't want, jars, bottle caps, breath mint cans
There will be arts and crafts to turn something old into something new and reusable!

Interested in becoming more involved with leadership positions on campus?

If you are a first, second, or third year student, you should consider applying to become a Student Ambassador for the Office of Alumni Relations. Applications are due February 13,2008! More about UVM Ambassadors can be found by clicking on this link below.
http://alumni.uvm.edu/getinvolved/ambassadors/default.asp

Please contact Co-Chairs Andrew Kasprisin ([log in to unmask]) or
Lauren Abda ([log in to unmask]) if you have any questions!

Ruth Messinger Speaks at UVM!
February 1st, in CC Theater

An evening with Ruth Messinger. Do not miss the co-founder of the Save Darfur Coalition and President of American Jewish World Service talk about the critical situation in Darfur. This crisis must be solved- please come and listen or bring tough questions about the genocide in Darfur and find out what can be done to stop the killing and restore peace to the entire region.

4:30pm in Billings North Lounge: Talk for UVM students with Ruth Messinger discussing the situation in Darfur and service opportunities. Bring your questions about Darfur. Ruth is an expert and has valuable experience on the ground in Sudan.

6:00pm in CC theater: Open community lecture with Messinger.

7:30pm in Billings Marsh Lounge: Refreshments served.

All are welcome!

:::More info:::

UVM STAND (Students Taking Action Now: Darfur): www.uvm.edu/~stand
UVM Hillel: www.uvmhillel.org
American Jewish World Service: www.ajws.org
Save Darfur: www.savedarfur.org

Celebrate SUPER BOWL SUNDAY at Brennan's Pub and Bistro!

Come enjoy the game on the variety of flat screens around the room with friends, prizes
and great food! Sunday February 3, 6-11pm.

Don't miss your chance to be a part of this UVM tradition!

Purchase tickets NOW at alumni.uvm.edu/winter_ball

The 2008 Senior Class Council presents:

Winter Ball

Saturday, February 9, 2008
9:00PM-1:00AM
Hilton Burlington

Tickets: $15/person, $20/pair

18+ to attend, 21+ to purchase drinks
Free shuttle service will be provided

We hope to see you there! Questions? E-mail us at [log in to unmask]!

Babysitting Mingler

Do you like kids? Want a well paying job that fits with your schedule? Then come to the Babysitting Mingler and meet parents in the Burlington community looking for reliable babysitters for both periodic and sporadic engagements. You will also have a chance to
play with the children you will be looking after!

10:30-12:00 Pearl House, 12 Colchester Ave. (the yellow house next to Dewey) Please RSVP to Alicia Taylor [log in to unmask] saturday February 2nd.

Auditions to be held for Jason Robert Brown's "The Last Five Years," a two-person student-produced musical. The show will be performed April 25th-26th and rehearsals will start in March. Auditions will be February 2nd from 5-7 and February 3rd from 11:30-1:30 and will be at the Royall Tyler Theater. Please sign-up in advance on the student callboard at the theater and pick up audition materials. For more information, please contact Emily at [log in to unmask]
Phi Delta Theta Fraternity invites you to an informal Information Session on Monday,
Feb. 4 at 7:30 PM. There will be brothers answering questions you may have about the fraternity and Greek Life.

American Red Cross Blood and Bone Marrow Drive

UVM Patrick Gym Lobby
Thursday, February 7, 2008
12:00 - 6:00

Help save a life and become a potential bone marrow donor - only a cotton swab test!

Pizza and Grinders provided!

Please Bring Blood Donor Card, Photo ID, or 2 forms of other ID.

www.newenglandblood.org

Alpha Gamma Rho Spring '08 Recruitment Activity Schedule

*events to be held at AGR house on 216 S. Prospect unless stated otherwise*
Thursday (1-24-08) 5:30-8pm Open house with free dinner at 6pm
Saturday (1-26-08) 5-7pm Information table with free pizza on CBW green
Thursday (1-31-08) departure from AGR @ 7pm for bowling at Yankee Lanes
Saturday (2-2-08) departure from AGR @ 11am to go Skeet shooting
Check us out on the Web at www.agrinvt.org for more information and contacts!

Fleming Museum will host an Opening Reception for our Spring Exhibitions on Thursday, January 31 at 5:30 PM, hosted by Provost John M. Hughes. A special pre-opening curatorial tour for Museum members at the contributing level and up will be given by 100 Suns artist Michael Light at 4:45 PM. Free admission to UVM students. Cash bar and hors d'oeuvres.

The Fleming Museum's Spring Exhibitions include:

Michael Light: 100 Suns
JANUARY 31 - JUNE 1, 2008

By re-photographing and presenting images of atomic explosions carried out by the United States in the 1950s and 1960s in an exhibition format, San Francisco photographer Michael Light sets out to explore the cultural context of the photographs and to examine the nuclear landscape and its profound effect on both our past and our future.

These images range from stunning, abstract impressions of fire and energy to portrayals of people watching the blasts who seem blithely unaware of the destructive power they are witnessing. It is this dichotomy of beauty and horror, attraction and repulsion, violence and seduction that make this collection of images so compelling.

Between Soft Machines and Hard Science: The Interstitial Art of W. David Powell
JANUARY 15 - JUNE 8, 2008

Artist W. David Powell's installation of his digital prints alongside historic scientific instruments reflects his fascination with the human mind and body and our own relationships with science and healing. Incorporating charts and devices from both obsolete and contemporary scientific sources, Powell's installation invites us to re-evaluate our understanding of how the human body and mind interact, and the ways that art and science can clarify or confuse that understanding.

Masks of Sri Lanka
JANUARY 15 - JUNE 8. 2008

In the exorcism dance rituals and folk plays of Sri Lanka, devils, animals, and humans are represented by elaborately carved and painted masks. Southern Sri Lanka's rich cultural heritage includes two dances that use masks: the thovil, or exorcism dances, in which masked demons drive illness and misfortune away, and the kolam folk drama, a community entertainment performed traditionally for centuries.