SAIC takes on sexual assault

Submitted by Linda Pas,

Director of Health Services

A Sexual Assault Programming Planning group was also developed to plan educational programs and activities for all students campus-wide. The group is led by Health Services and the goal is to provide these educational programs, to students, throughout the school year. The task force would like to get the word out to students about this important issue.

The first educational program scheduled this year is called “A Week of Sex.” Topics to be presented will mix the fun aspects of sex along with the serious. Various Chicago-based organizations will present noon-hour lectures on topics such as “The Politics of Sex,” “Relationships and Sex,” and “Sex: Get the Facts.” The first event will happen on Monday, October 13th, in the 112 S. Michigan building, from noon until 1:00 p.m. On that day, interesting information, and other goodies will be available to all that visit the table. The remaining week of programs will be held from noon until 1:00 p.m, on the 7th Floor Lounge of the 112 S. Michigan Building.

AIC president to retire

James N. Wood, director and president of The Art Institute of Chicago, announced to the Art Institute’s Board of Trustees on Monday, September 8, that he plans to retire from his position in the coming year.

An AIC press release stated: “Mr. Wood, who begins his 25th year of service in the spring of 2004, said, ‘I am approaching a major anniversary at the Art Institute, and I feel that it is time for a new generation of leadership to chart the museum’s future for the coming decades. Now that the Renzo Piano design for the new wing is completed, and the preparation of construction drawings has begun, I believe that there is an opportune window for a new director to see the final design details and the lengthy process of construction through to completion. The project is on firm financial footing — a strong start towards the $198 million required for design and construction has already been generously provided by a small number of individuals and families. I feel that this is an appropriate moment to initiate the succession process, and assure a continuity of leadership for the next quarter of a century.’”.

Two SAIC students merit national honors

Lisa Bradley, an MFA student at SAIC, is the recipient of a National Endowment for the Arts grant. She currently creates performance-based video pieces employing objects of cultural significance, from black jellybeans to cotton balls. Informed by the Dadaists, folklore, Japanese Butoh dance, and the Cartoon Network, Bradley’s work deals with concepts of the absurd as they relate to prevailing notions of gender, culture, and race. She began as a resident fellow at the Whitney Museum Independent Study Program in New York last September.
This fellowship honor was bestowed by The College Art Association (CAA), a national organization of artists, art historians, curators, and critics. CAA chose two Masters of Fine Arts candidates and four art-history Ph.D. candidates as the 2003 recipients of Profess-ional Development Fellowships.

Hillel, the largest Jewish campus organization in the world, named SAIC student Anna Polishchuk a recipient of the 2003 Student Exemplar of Excellence Award at Hillel’s Charles Schusterman International Student Leaders Assembly in Honesdale, PA.

According to a Hillel press release, “Anna founded the pro-Israel student group Students for Peace in the Middle East as a response to the rising anti-Israel sentiment on her campus. The mission of the group was to include all pro-Israel students, regardless of their politics. As leader of SPME, Anna co-sponsored an Israel-Palestinian debate attended by over 200 people.”

MASALA II: OMA Awards

The selection committee, composed of students, faculty, staff, and alumni helped narrow down the nominees to fit the five categories of the OMA awards to recognize the exemplary efforts of the students, faculty, and staff in the SAIC community who promote diversity as a core value in an exceptional way.

Among last school year's winners were student groups Artists' Emergency Response and Students for Peace in the Middle East for their collaborative effort in putting on a debate. In the category for the Peer Encouragement Award, Esmerelda Baltazar stood out as an exemplary student for "her involvement in the SAIC community ... highlighting her willingness to engage in the community and promote others to engage in the community. F News also received an award for reporting issues regarding diversity on campus.

Recognized faculty and staff included Paula Farmer, in the Admissions department, who was recognized in the Staff Commitment to Diversity Award category. Having left an extraordinary mark on this institution, former faculty member Lisa Brock was awarded the Faculty Commitment to Diversity Award.