If the University of Connecticut can do it, why can’t Fairfield?
Together Effectively Achieving Multiculturalism (T.E.A.M.) is trying to get students from different cultures to collaborate in order to increase appreciation and understanding for multiculturalism by hosting an International Talent Show, which is tentatively scheduled for next semester. This allows the participants ample time to practice their cultural talent.
“At UCONN, as an undergraduate, there was an International Talent show, and many sororities, fraternities, cultural clubs and much more participated,” said Chelsey Docimo, the AHANA Student Advisor and newest addition to the Multicultural Relations staff.
Increasing diversity is a direct objective of Rev. Jeffrey von Arx, university president.
“We must come to an institutional resolve to increase diversity on this campus,” said von Arx at the Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration and LaFarge Convocation last year. “Making the commitment to do so will require greater creativity on our parts, because the willingness to weigh the impact on diversity across all of our decision-making will make ‘business as usual’ obsolete.”
After a week of advertising the event, Docimo has received approximately 10 inquiries about the program, which is only one tenth of her goal. There will be multiple attempts to try and get an sufficient number of candidates by next month.
The International Talent Show will serve as both an event and a fundraiser for the club. A low, reasonable fee to attend the talent show, which is now approximated at $3, will be established upon further discussion.
The club is planning to present the first place winner with a cash prize and a dinner for two to second place winner.
A few ideas that were suggested by T.E.A.M. for a cultural showcase included Latin American music and dancing, Stomp/Step Team, African drumming, Russian Ballet, Irish Dancing, Italian Opera, Kabuki (Japanese Theatre), and Indian Dance. They are also open to any other cultural ideas.
This is one of the many plans that T.E.A.M. looks forward to planning. This event is tentative and plans may change with the consultation and finalization of T.E.A.M and
Larri Mazon, director for the Center of Multicultural Relations.
If you are interested in getting involved in the talent show or joining T.E.A.M., please contact Docimo at cdocimo@mail.fairfield.edu, visit her in Loyola 4, or call her at ext. 2909.
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