General Studies Lounge

This is your weekly update from the GSSC.  As VP of Communicaton, my
primary role is to keep you informed.  I welcome your feedback.  If you
have any questions/suggestions, please let me know by emailing me at ecm2128@columbia.edu

The contents of the update are...

1. GS Student Council Updates
2. Upcoming Free Excel Workshop for GS
   
3. GS Brunch - Make Your Own Sushi
4. Beyond the Closet: Queer Awareness Month 2008
5. Community @ Large Spotlight: America Reads
6. Interfaith Art Show Submission Deadline
7. Kraft Family Fund Proposal Extension
8. Volunteers Needed for Veterans Day Parade
9. WOrD Project Volunteers Needed

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 1. GS Student Council Updates

• What did your Student Council talk about last week?  Go to the Communications Page.  The week before?  Find out on our Minutes Page. 
• What is on the agenda for your Student Council this Tuesday night at 7.30pm?  Find out by previewing our Agenda.
• Communicate directly with your student representatives.  Email the GSSC.

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2. Upcoming Free Excel Workshop for GS

Basics of MS Excel - October 24th - RSVP Required

Do you want to learn the basics of using MS Excel? Or do you just want to brush up because it has been a while since you last used it for one of your classes? There will be a formal training workshop exclusively for students of General Studies on Friday, October 24th 2:00PM - 4:00PM. This class, taught by Butler Reference, is in high demand with a waiting list that stretches past the semester. Luckily, the GSSC was able to secure a class just for GS students. If interested please RSVP to ak2498@columbia.edu by Tuesday night, October 21st.

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3. GS Brunch - Make Your Own Sushi

GS Brunch -- Make Your Own Sushi!
This Sunday (Oct. 12) 12:00-1:30pm @ GS lounge

Stop by for the first GS brunch of the year!  Jacqueline Thong and Julia Starodoumova will teach you to make your own sushi rolls.  All the ingredients will be ready for you at stations set up on the tables.  We will repeat the lesson continuously over the hour-and-a-half period, so don't worry if you come a little later -- you will still get to make your own roll.  Tea and other food will be available, so drop by and have fun!

What: First GS Brunch -- Make your own sushi day!

Where: GS LOUNGE
When: Sunday October 12th from 12pm to 1:30pm
Who: Everybody in GS!

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4.  Beyond the Closet: Queer Awareness Month 2008

Beyond the Closet: Queer Awareness Month 2008
After an opening with Augusten Burroughs and a giant 40-foot rainbow
on Low Plaza, Queer Awareness Month continues its week of exciting
events. Read all about it here

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5. Community @ Large Spotlight: America Reads

This week the Community @ Large Spotlight is on America Reads at Community Impact.

Want to give back to the community?  How about instilling a love of literacy in inner city school children?  Community Impact's "America Reads" works in four grade schools with five opportunities to make a difference in a child's life.  Choose from engaging after school programs, one on one reading time, and in-the-classroom assistant.  Teach a kid to love a book and you'll get back more than you give.

Find out more at: http://gslounge.com/community

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6. Interfaith Art Show Submission Deadline

Calling All Artists - Interfaith Art Show! Submissions Due: Tuesday, October 7

The Office of the University Chaplain is hosting an INTERFAITH ART SHOW on Friday, October 24, in St. Paul's Chapel on Columbia University's Morningside Campus. We are looking for 2-D wall mountable art submissions that reflect the individual's religious/cultural experience, as well as perceptions of faith and spirituality in general. Please confirm your participation by Tuesday, October 7th. This is an exciting opportunity to work with a diverse group of students, to show your art, and share innovative ideas on this topic.

If you have any questions please contact Ruhi Shamim at rfs2110@columbia.edu.

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7. Kraft Family Fund Proposal Extension

Fall 2008 Request for Proposals! Deadline: Noon, October 3 Extended to Noon, October 10, 2008

Kraft Family Fund for Intercultural and Interfaith Awareness administered by the Office of the University Chaplain (OUC) encourages recognized student groups at Columbia University and Barnard College to collaborate on projects that promote intercultural and interfaith awareness and understanding across the University.

Eligible projects bring together diverse students in a wide range of activities and events that explore unique relationships between culture, religion, race, and ethnicity. Priority will be given to new initiatives.

Email kraftfund@columbia.edu or go to www.columbia.edu/cu/earl for additional information.

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8. Volunteers Needed for Veterans Day Parade

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!  Great Leadership Opportunities in support of the Veterans Community of New York State.  Find out more about this opportunity here!

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9. WOrD Project Volunteers Needed

We are looking for motivated, energetic students to serve on an Executive Board to launch the inaugural WOrD Project Columbia, and we have identified you as a leader on campus!

Are you ready to make a positive difference in the lives of young students? Do you have what it takes to build and be a part of a movement of societal change? My name is Sebastian Turner, and I am the Director of Program Development for the non-profit Writing Our Dreams (WOrD) Project here in NYC. My participation in the inaugural WOrD Project as an undergraduate at the University of Southern California changed my career direction and provided immeasurable personal reward.

WOrD is a creative writing mentorship program started by Teach For America corps members and student leaders at USC. Over the course of an academic year, you will recruit and lead proven campus leaders as they mentor inner-city 9th graders. The high-school students will explore their personal ideas, opinions, and dreams as inspiration for the imaginative stories they create. These student-written pieces will then be adapted into plays and performed in a showcase by college theater students for the mentees, their peers, and their community.

Our goal is to empower high school students to believe in the power of their words and pursue their dreams, while we develop exemplary university leaders and increase the social consciousness of the community.

If you or a fellow campus leader would like to help launch a Columbia chapter of the WOrD project, and witness your efforts inspire and challenge our students, please contact Sebastian Turner at WringOurDreams.NYC@gmail.com

For more information, visit us at WritingOurDreams.com.