Martin Minority Report

By: Martina Conley

Minority Affairs Monthly Newsletter

Volume 1, Issue 2

SGA presents Diversity Week 2011 One World One People

at UT Martin and not on specific countries. They are striving to show diversity in various ways like fashion, social class and genres of music! There is an event planned for every day of the week L to R: K ennet h Holl i s , M e l a n i e Bra d y -H a y, L a shae and all of the Ma ssey, J es s ic a Dr a k e events are FREE! ach year the Student Government Here is a tentative schedule for the week: Association hosts a Diversity Week Monday_ Diversity Fashion Show on the UT Martin campus. The date and reception for this years week will be April 11-15. Tuesday_ Drum Circle and Guest In the past, the theme and events have Speaker focused on race and culture, but this Wednesday_ Diversity Panel year they have decided to think outside discussion the box! This year they want to focus on Thursday_ Diversity Formal (Food diversity within the United States and will be served)

Friday_ Diversity Mixer (Food will be served) fter speaking with Kenneth Hollis, Freshmen Council Chair for the Multicultural Affairs committee, I learned they are aiming for something different this year and they want to focus more on the diversity within people, and less on racial differences. The events are fun activities for students to participate in and they will be educational as well. Diversity week is a way to show that for one, UTM is very diverse, and for two, to show students something new. I cant wait for it and I hope everyone comes out and supports said Hollis. lease support SGA in this wonderful week of events! It will be Fun, Free, and there will be Food! For more information on how you can get involved please contact Kenneth Hollis at kennholl@ut.utm.edu.

Past BSA President Speaks at 50th Anniversary Event

By: James Buchanan

T Martin is celebrating 50 years of African-American Achievement and this month there was a very special alumni who came to speak at the BSA History Celebration. Dr. Jesse J. Cannon, Jr. delivered a remarkable speech and shared history of how far African Americans have come. Cannon is originally from Brownsville, TN. He graduated with a degree in Zoology in 1973. He served as the 3rd president of the UTMs Black Student Association. During his time at UTM, Cannon was in the midst of many changes on campus. The New-Panhellic Council was

established with 3 fraternities and 2 sororities, Cannon said. AfricanAmerican Literature and History were courses readily available for students to take. annon explained other changes as well. In 1965, black P ast B S A P resi dent Jesse Cannon and students were able to choose which C urrent P resi dent C onstance Bonds institution they wanted to attend. within the campus community and In 1969, black students were given fixing its problems. [When it comes to equal access to work-study positions involvement], we need to start at home. and to become student representatives. We need to look at other organizations There were more black members of and their difficulties. faculty appearing on campus. He also expressed the importance of being active
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Outstanding Student: Gabrielle Lewis

By: Diamond Adams

G abr ielle M a ry L e w i s

G A

abrielle Mary Lewis is one of UTMs outstanding students. She is a broadcasting major from Memphis, Tenn. and currently serves as a residential assistant for UTM. She

builds a community environment for girls on her hall, she encourages young women to get involved, and she serves as mentor and counselor to the girls she works with. Lewis is also going to do an RA exchange at Washington State University next year. he is the former treasurer for the National Association of Black Journalists, is currently the Broadcasting Guilds vice president and volunteers for PSEPP. Lewis aspires to graduate with honors with her degree and travel as a motivational speaker. Lewis hopes to own a talent agency, work in television and broadcasting, and model. I think to be an outstanding student that you must set short term goals to meet your long term goals, and you must stay focused the whole time. Have fun! Dont forget to have fun. Enjoy the moments in the present. To be outstanding means to get back up when

you fall. Have good intentions and you always want to have a purpose, said Lewis. he currently represents Alpha Phi Alphas Tau Psi Chapter as Miss Black and Gold. Her platform is to stop domestic violence; she is currently working on getting volunteers to work on a hot-line that will spread the awareness to stop domestic violence. She has been in four pageants and she has won all of them. As a result, she says she has built self-esteem, character and respect for the Alpha men on campus. She also says that she learned not to give up no matter how hard something gets and to trust God. Lewis states My greatest achievement was winning the Miss Black and Gold crown because I got to display my talents that I have to the best of my ability and it led me to the success of representing Tennessee.

Student Conduct Office

By: Martina Conley

long with Dr. Annie Jones, the Director of Minority Affairs, there is another relatively new face on campus. Joe Henderson, the Director of Student Conduct joined the UT Martin staff in the fall of 2009. Prior to his relocation to Martin, this Dallas native worked for Public Safety at East Tennessee State University for several years and has over 20 years of experience in law enforcement. any students seem to be unfamiliar with the Office of Student Conduct; this can be a good thing and a bad thing. It is good if you never have to step foot in Joe Hendersons office; however, it is bad if you are unaware and unfamiliar with the policies and procedures set by the university. As stated in the interview, Just like we have laws in society, we also have rules at UT Martin,

said Henderson, and these rules and regulations must be abided by or else there will be disciplinary sanctions that follow. No student is exempt from following the rules, and this is evident in the diverse representation of students who visit the conduct office for alcohol violations, plagiarism, or violence every semester. r. Henderson has seen offenders from all races, genders, and classifications, including students who have exceptionally good GPAs. No matter who you are, if you break the rules, there will be consequences. Therefore, students should be cautious of the way they govern themselves on and off campus and uphold the academic integrity of the university. If you are not acquainted with the Student Conduct Handbook you can access it online at www.utm.edu/

Joe H enderson & B e t h Par ish

departments/conduct/. fter speaking with Joe Henderson, I learned education is extremely important to him and his family, which is why he strives to execute educational discipline on the UT Martin campus.
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