Compiled by the Office of Commuter Life and Diversity Programs, a Division of College Programs. For more information, contact Tomecca Sloane, ext. 8521

September 14
7 p.m., Kresge Auditorium
Meredith International Film Series (Afghanistan): “The Kite Runner”
Directed by Marc Forster

After spending years in California, Amir returns to his homeland in Afghanistan to help his old friend Hassan, whose son is in trouble. This epic tale of fathers and sons, of friendship and betrayal, takes us from the final days of Afghanistan’s monarchy to the atrocities of the Taliban reign. From the award-winning novel by Khaled Hosseini. In Dari and English with English subtitles.

The Meredith International Film Series is co-sponsored by the Diversity Council. For more information on the 2008-09 series, contact Garry Walton, dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, at waltong@meredith.edu.

September 16
6:30 p.m., Chapel Common Room
Sister to Sister: Summer Symposium for Multicultural Students Family Reunion
The Family Reunion is an evening of fun and fellowship designed to reconnect Summer Symposium attendees with one another as well as with other students in the campus community. If you are interested in attending, please contact Tomecca Sloane in the Office of Commuter Life and Diversity Programs at sloaneto@meredith.edu.

September 25
6 p.m., Kresge Auditorium
Campus Dialogue on Diversity: Building CommUnity
Student leaders will facilitate a constructive dialogue about the campus climate and ways that participants can be instrumental in creating an inclusive community.

September 27
1 p.m., Duke University East Campus
North Carolina Pride Parade
The North Carolina Pride Parade is a part of Pride Fest 2008, a three-day extravaganza that is the largest gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered event in the state of North Carolina. Pride Fest consists of day and night festivals, conferences, staged events and dances.
For more information on events and activities, visit http://www.ncpride.org/pride/.

October 21
6 p.m., Kresge Auditorium
Campus Dialogue on Diversity: “For the Bible Tells Me So”
Produced and directed by Daniel Karslake; released by First Run Features.
Daniel Karslake’s documentary is a heartfelt examination of how homosexuality affected the lives of five Christian families, and the process by which they each came to terms with their gay family members. From happy outcomes to tragic ones, the paths followed were not easy ones, as demonstrated by the film, which fixes the families in the context of their religious and secular communities. A facilitated discussion will take place immediately following this film.

November 10-14
Association of Cultural Awareness (ACA) Week
For more information regarding events and activities scheduled throughout this week, please contact ACA President Angenette Burns at burnsang@meredith.edu.

November 11
6 p.m., Chapel Common Room
Sister to Sister: Self-Image Workshop
This workshop will consist of an interactive discussion and activities that lead participants to an awareness of the impact of self-image on our interactions and relationships with others.

November 13 and 14
2-5 p.m., Dogwood A
Safezone Training
The overall mission of the Safezone program is to assist in the creation and development of a safe environment for all lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered and questioning (LGBTQ) Meredith College students, faculty and staff. Additionally, Safezone training provides opportunities for program attendees to become empowered to serve as friends and advocates for LGBTQ community members. Faculty Training: November 13; Student Training: November 14. For more information or to register, please contact Tomecca Sloane in the Office of Commuter Life and Diversity Programs at sloaneto@meredith.edu.

November 16
7 p.m., Kresge Auditorium
Meredith International Film Series (China): “Not One Less”
Written and directed by Zhang Yimou

A 13-year-old substitute school teacher, Wei Minzhi, living in the Chinese countryside, is placed in charge of a school after the previous teacher leaves temporarily for a month. Minzhi is told not to lose any students, and when one of the pupils takes off in search of work in the big city, she goes looking for him to bring him home. In Mandarin with English subtitles.

The Meredith International Film Series is co-sponsored by the Diversity Council. For more information on the 2008-09 series, contact Garry Walton, dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, at waltong@meredith.edu.

November 17-21
8 a.m.-10 p.m., Cate Center and Ledford 101
International Education Week
International Education Week is a joint effort between the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of State in order to promote and celebrate multiculturalism and international education. The week was first established in the year 2000 by the Clinton Administration. Throughout International Education Week campuses, embassies and communities are encouraged to hold activities celebrating international education and diversity.

For more information regarding events and activities scheduled throughout this week, please contact the Office of International Programs at studyabroad@meredith.edu or call (919) 760-2307.

January 23
10 a.m., Jones Chapel
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Worship Service
ACA Committee: Black Student Union

January 25
7 p.m., Kresge Auditorium
Meredith International Film Series (Iran): “Offside”
Written and directed by Jafar Panahi

This sports film is a feminist comedy that is also a plea for women’s rights in Iranian society. Here, various young women meet up at a World-Cup-qualifying soccer match in Tehran’s Azadi stadium where they disguise themselves as men to gain entrance because women are banned from attending sporting events. In Farsi with English subtitles.

The Meredith International Film Series is co-sponsored by the Diversity Council. For more information on the 2008-09 series, contact Garry Walton, dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, at waltong@meredith.edu.

February 16-20
Meredith International Association (MIA) Awareness Week
For more information regarding events and activities scheduled throughout this week, please contact MIA President Sanji Silva at mia@meredith.edu.

February 21
5 p.m., Chapel
Gospel Fest
ACA Committee: Black Student Union

February 22
7 p.m., Kresge Auditorium
Meredith International Film Series (Latin America): “Maria Full of Grace”
Written and directed by Joshua Marston

This film follows a bright, gutsy young woman on a life-changing and life-threatening journey. The film sweeps us along on its heroine’s unpredictable odyssey from Colombia to New York, weaving a gripping narrative of risk, determination and survival when she accepts a job transporting heroin as a drug “mule.” In Spanish with English subtitles.

The Meredith International Film Series is co-sponsored by the Diversity Council. For more information on the 2008-09 series, contact Garry Walton, dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, at waltong@meredith.edu.

March 11 and 18, April 1, 8, 15, and 29
11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Dogwood B
Meredith Study Circles
Study Circles provide an opportunity for small-group discussions on critical public issues with the intent of strengthening community life through a process of reflection on the impact of personal experiences, learning and appreciating diverse perspectives, and moving from conversations to action.

The mission and vision of Study Circles is to increase the understanding, appreciation, and celebration of different races and cultures throughout the college and to provide the community with practical recommendations for actions that individuals can take to promote equality.

March 12
6 p.m., Kresge Auditorium
Sloan Leadership: Dialogue on Diversity
Participants will learn effective strategies for sustainability in today’s changing world and will also discuss how women can become change agents, responding to change, the flow of change and strategies for making the most of change.

March 23-26
Disability Awareness Week--Sponsored by the Counseling Center/Disability Services
For more information regarding events and activities scheduled throughout this week, please contact Jill Triana in the Counseling Center/Disability Services at trianaj@meredith.edu.

April 7
6 p.m., Ledford Hall (basement level)
Tunnel of Oppression
The Tunnel of Oppression is a program in which participants travel through a series of sensory experiences witnessing forms of oppression and discrimination within our society. The experiences can be either active or passive and the goal is to enlighten and create an educational and thought-provoking activity for the campus community.

Other diversity events will occur throughout the year. Please visit www.meredith.edu/calendar for the most current information.