Programs and Activities
Here at College Nine we are very lucky to have two dynamic programming branches, Cocurricular Programs & the Activities Office. The College Nine theme of International and Global Perspectives forms the central foundation of our programming. The Cocurricular Office can be found in Social Sciences 1, adjacent to the College Nine Mailroom; the Activities office is in the Recreation Lounge.
Regular College Nine programs and activities include:
College Nights:
Every quarter, students and staff work together to plan College Nights, which are large scale community celebrations, held in the dining commons and open to all College Nine and College Ten students whether or not they live on campus. These events may focus on particular cultures of the world or other student generated ideas. College Nights include food, entertainment and educational materials related to the theme. Some past College Nights have been "Winter Holidays Around the World," "Carnival," and "Asian Traditions."
Inter-Cultural Community Weekend:
The two-day retreat provides international and American students from diverse backgrounds the opportunity to explore various components of intercultural communication. Through a series of structured exercises and small group discussions students share perspectives on issues such as multiculturalism, values orientation and diversity. The goal of the workshop is to build community and friendship among international and American students as well as to increase students understanding of the complexity of communicating across cultures. The Inter-Cultural Communication Weekend is optional; students apply for the opportunity in the fall.
Battle of the Buildings:
A week-long event during spring quarter, Battle of the Buildings pits building against building in an various mental, physical and creative challenges. The event opens and closes with two gala ceremonies complete with games, food and prizes. Each residence hall and apartment building participates as a team and the winning building is awarded the championship banner to hang outside their building for the remainder of the year.
Cocurricular Programs
Learning opportunities complementing, enhancing & enriching students’ academic experience at the university.
Global Leadership Development Program
Global Leadership Development (GLD) meets weekly throughout the fall quarter and provides a wide range of excersizes, guest speakers, and programs designed to foster and develop participants' efficacy as world citizens and leaders at College Nine.
What we do outside the classroom:
In addition to what we do in the classroom, students & staff also collaborate to develop an array of programs exploring the many aspects of our theme. Dinner presentations with faculty, guest speakers, debates, films, arts programs & interactive workshops are offered throughout the year. These programs bring together members of our community to learn, debate, challenge each other & ourselves in an atmosphere of mutual respect & engagement with important issues facing us today.
Some recent programs include:
Luncheon and Book Reading
Renowned & much-loved Community Studies Professor Paul Ortiz gave an insightful talk relating to his newly published book ‘Emancipation Betrayed.’ A delicious lunch was provided for this event that took place in College Ten’s Café Revoluçion.
Tsunami Relief Benefit Concert
Following on from the devastating Tsunami that hit parts of Indonesian in December 2004, College Ten in collaboration with many other organizations & business’ pulled together an incredible concert featuring Ozomatli & Blackalicious at the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium.
Distinguished Visiting Professor Series
In 2005, College Ten brought both Naomi Klein, world-renowned journalist & author, and Democracy Now! presenter & independent journalist, Amy Goodman to the College Nine & College Ten Mulipurpose Room. Continuing this successful series, in Winter of 2006 College Ten held its second annual Ruben Salazar Journalism Award Presentation & invited Democracy Now! Co-host, independent journalist Juan Gonzalez to receive this award.
Student Faculty Dinner
In Spring our student staff organizes this dinner to bring about discussion between faculty & staff. With various majors included it gives College Nine & College Ten students a valuable opportunity to interact with both faculty & staff while enjoying the ambiance of a wonderful dinner.
Community Arts Program
Throughout the year, the Community Arts Programming team provides fabulous opportunity for College Nine & Ten students to explore their artistic & creative sides. Workshops celebrating the crafts of the Dia de los Muertos festival, holiday gift making & Valentines Day are some highlights. Special, life-size puppet making and activist art workshops are also offered. This group is also responsible for the planning & implementation of the murals at our colleges.
Practical Activism Conference
A daylong, student-led program of speakers and workshops on local & global issues with a focus on making a social change. In 2004 this program celebrated its 2nd year with guest speakers Matt Gonzalez and John Laird. The day culminated with a performance by art troupe Molotov Mouths.
Santa Cruz Model United Nations
An International student
organization that focuses interprets & discusses actions taken by the real
United Nations. The ultimate goal of this group is to attend the National Model
UN conference.
For more information, check out their website: http://www2.ucsc.edu/mun/
MEDEA PROJECT: THEATER FOR INCARCERATED WOMEN:
In Spring of 2005, this incredible production came to the Multipurpose Room. Demonstrating their vision of ‘Arts as Social Activism’ the Medea project explores whether an arts-based approach could help reduce the numbers of women returning to jail.
The annual César Chávez Convocation
is dedicated
to the memory of the United Farmworkers Union founder and has brought to College
Nine & College Ten such renowned speakers as Dolores Huerta in 2004, Luis
Valdez in 2005, & Arturro Rodriguez in 2006.
Other programs have included a weeklong documentary film series, an anti-CAFTA
arts week, as well as field trips and many more varied and informative events.
College Nine also offers many opportunities for student leadership and involvement in student organizations.