As we are ending the second week of classes, I would like to formally welcome you or welcome you back to campus on behalf of the UHDS Dining staff. We’ve been busy over the summer working on a variety of projects to help make your dining experiences in the dining centers and Bing’s Café great ones. I’d like to share a few highlights of what is new for 2010-11. Read the rest of this entry »
Entering its third year, the Community Relations Facilitator (CRF) program continues to promote inclusive and welcoming communities in the residence halls, cooperative houses, and dining facilities through facilitated workshops and programs. As a function of University Housing and Dining Services (UHDS) the CRFs work within the residence halls and cooperative houses leading discussions and activities around issues of diversity and social justice. Read the rest of this entry »
There are many ways for one to identify in terms of sexuality such as straight, gay, lesbian, asexual, and so on. One word though, has many uses, like a Swiss army knife of sexuality, and that word is Queer. The word Queer allows someone to create their own context around sexuality. It gives people a tool to expand on constricting social scripts, and its flexibility can give a sense of comfort to know sexuality does not have to be static. I identify as Queer, and I still prefer women as my sexual partners. This change of identity happened over the summer. Read the rest of this entry »
You never know what you get yourself into until you fully emerge yourself into it. Hi everyone, my name is Melissa Rico and I am the Community Relations Facilitator for the Westside. I am ending my fourth week on the job and already I have so much to say, think about, learn, and most importantly, DO! Read the rest of this entry »
Last year at OSU I went through some amazing changes/realizations in my position as a Community Relations Facilitator. It took me over two terms of intense self reflection and training to finally grasp the concepts behind these things called social justice and diversity. I thought I would never again see myself disrespect or oppress another identity through my words and actions. I believe it was my young, cocky attitude that came out when I believed that I only needed a year worth of learning to really know everything I needed to know. The realization of how wrong I was hit me during this summer as I returned back to my hometown and started hanging out with the friends I hadn’t seen on a regular basis for a year. Read the rest of this entry »
Welcome to OSU and UHDS! As UHDS’ Registered Dietitian, I would like to share that we are deeply committed to creating environments that encourage wellness. In an effort to promote physical wellness, our goal in dining services is to make the healthy choice, the easy choice. Read the rest of this entry »
Hello everyone!
I am only a week away from summer and I know some of you are already enjoying the rays of the sun and relaxing without any homework or papers to write. It is still surreal to me that school is ending in a week and I will have completed my first year of college! During these past few weeks I have had so much to get done, but I also have attended some great events. First, I had the opportunity to participate in Habitat for Humanity, where we volunteered to help this program finish some tasks they had. This was a great opportunity because not only did it help me bond with my supervisors and peers, but also we helped people who needed our assistance. Another event I attended was, “Noche de gala.” This was an event to award many Latinos on their achievements throughout the year, but before they gave out awards they had traditional Mexican music and food for enjoyment. After all of these events and fun times with great people, it has now come the time to start looking for a new home. As of right now my roommates and I are looking for a place to live next year and it so hard to find an apartment, because many places will not start showing their apartments until school is out. Looking for a new place comes with so many emotions that I never thought I would have because I didn’t realize the attachment I had to my dorm and the friends/neighbors I created in the Finley Hall. Next year is going to be so different and it still hasn’t sunk in that I won’t be seeing these people everyday and I won’t be able to just walk down the hall and be able to socialize or study with them. When I leave here I will truly feel as if I am leaving something great behind, but at the same time I am excited for the new adventure with my new roommates. This year has been such a blast and the ending is bitter sweet for me because even though I can not wait until this week is over, I will not see my new friends for months and they are like my second family. Living in the dorms has helped me create this new family and I think everyone should have this experience and opportunity. Also, living in the dorms your first year gives you the comfort and knowledge of where everything is located on campus. I have had so many experiences this year I don’t know if I could pick a favorite memory to share with all of you, but I will say that one my favorites memories was going snowboarding with my friends I made through a program here on campus known as the college assistance migrant program (CAMP). Through that I found a new sport I really enjoy and became closer with my peers in CAMP. Well I hope that everyone has an awesome summer and that Oregon State becomes your school of choice!
Lizeth Ochoa
After two years of working in University Housing and Dining Services as a team member to the Community Relations Facilitators, I’m sad to announce that I’m saying goodbye to the UHDS family. I’m not leaving empty handed though. Throughout these past two years I can definitely say that I’ve grown so much personally as well as in our position.
Being a CRF has really given me confidence in my self-expression. I’ve learned that sometimes it’s more beneficial to our awareness when we take a step outside our comfort zone and challenge people’s point of views in order to educate. I’ve also learned that challenging someone’s point of view doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re trying to pick a fight or that things will end badly. It can get uncomfortable, but as I’ve come to realize, those uncomfortable moments are sometimes when the most learning takes place.
In addition, I’ve enjoyed all the new relationships that have been built over the last two years. We’ve been able to spend time with RA’s, RD’s, the staff at the cultural, resource centers, Team Liberation, and many others. I’ve made connections that I know wouldn’t have been so easily made without my position and I appreciate the opportunity.
Thanks to everybody who supported our program in one-way or another. It was a fun two years and I wish the best of luck to Victor and Kevin and the rest of the CRF team. Again, thank you for your continued support of the CRF program.
-Alba Garcia
Community Relations Facilitator- Southside
Diversity Fun Fact
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