Southern Utah University still has some money left over for the CARES Act for both the Fall 2020 semester and the Spring 2021 semester. The CARES Act Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) is an emergency grant program for students. Eligible students can now apply via their portal for a grant to cover expenses they may have incurred due to changes in university operations due to COVID-19. To be considered as eligible, a student must:
Be currently enrolled as a degree-seeking student (associates, bachelors, or masters) in a face-to-face degree program. Students enrolled in an online-only degree program do not qualify for these grants.
Be eligible to receive Title IV federal aid. This eligibility is evaluated through completion of the FAFSA. In addition to completing the FAFSA, students must be making Satisfactory Academic Progress in order to receive HEERF funding.
Have experienced expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to COVID-19.
If you're unsure about your eligibility, or if you need help with filling out the form, contact Ashleigh Zimmerman through email at ashleighzimmerman@suu.edu.
Indian Training Education Center Funding Opportunity
The Indian Training Education Center (ITEC) is a federally funded WIOA program serving Native Americans, Alaska Natives and Hawaiian Natives living in Utah. ITEC serves students in High School/GED, College or other training programs.
ITEC provides a monthly stipend to students based on grades, attendance and total hours/credits. It is about $400/mo for a fulltime/12cr student. ITEC can also provide assistance with books, fees, transportation and other school related expenses. To qualify for services students must be low income, have proof of their descent, live in Utah, and be able to complete what they are working on within approximately 9 months or two semesters.
The Indian Training Education Center is fully operating and continuing to offer funding to current students, and are taking new students who will be graduating Fall 2020, Spring 2021, Summer 2021 and Fall 2021. For more information please feel free to contact the ITEC office or MarJean Elder at 801-973-6484.
Internship Opportunities with the Federal Aviation Administration
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is offering paid internships at their offices. There are three different programs, each managed by a different office with different benefits and program details.
AVS STEM Student Program. This summer program aims to host students who are studying in the STEM fields and are interested in pursuing aviation-related careers. It will give these students opportunities to capitalize on their academic studies through meaningful work and developmental activities. They may also be able to earn academic credit for their internships. To be eligible for this paid internship, you must be a U.S. citizen, and accepted for seeking enrollment or are enrolled in a university. To apply, submit a copy of your resume and transcript to 9-AVS-STEMProgram@faa.gov.
FAA Minority Serving Institutions Internship Program. This year-round program provides internship opportunities to students from historically Black colleges and universities, Hispanic serving institutions, colleges and universities with a high percentage of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, Native American colleges and universities, and to students with disabilities. To be eligible for this paid opportunity, you must be a U.S. citizen, have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, and be currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree. If you are interested in this opportunity, please send a cover letter and resume to faainternprogram@faa.gov.
DOT Summer Transportation Internship Program for Diverse Groups.The student application portal for the DOT’s 2021 Summer Transportation Internship Program for Diverse Groups (STIPDG) Program is now live. The deadline for applications is January 31, 2021. Students can access the portal by clicking here.
CDI Student of the Month
The CDI is excited to highlight some of the amazing students who are a part of the T-Bird family. This year we will continue our Student of the Month initiative where outstanding students can be nominated and featured throughout the school year.
Nominations are accepted from any SUU faculty, staff, or student. Winners will be chosen by the CDI team and will be recognized physically in the CDI, in the electronic newsletter, and will be awarded a gift card in appreciation.
The Student of the Month nominee should demonstrate the qualities of a leader, exemplify the CDI’s mission, and actively promotes the center’s message of inclusivity. Nominate a deserving student for November HERE!
43rd Annual Conference of the Society of Ethnobiology
The Society of Ethnobiology annual conference, which will be co-hosted by SUU and The Paiute Tribe of Southern Utah, will occur in May 2021.
This year's theme is water, or 'paa.' The 43rd annual conference takes water as a starting point to explore the many connections between people, animals, plants, and environments around the globe. With the conference set in Southern Utah, the focus will be on the way that water shapes landscapes, defines food systems, and creates special and sacred places. For the Ancestral Puebloan and Southern Paiutes who are the ancestral owners of the territory where the conference is meeting, water has a special place with great cultural and environmental value.
They will also have many opportunities for SUU faculty and students to present and participate. For more information on the conference, click here. To register to attend or participate, contact Donielle Savoie (doniellesavoie@suu.edu) or Landry Igiraneza (landryigiraneza@suu.edu).
Events
Library Tools Training There are a lot of resources that the library offers that you all might be unaware of. To make sure you're getting the most out of your education here at SUU, attend the Library Tools workshop happening on Tuesday, December 8th from 4 to 5 PM MST through Zoom. The Zoom ID is 993 9575 0344 and the password is 672546.De-stress Poetry Session Looking for a way to unwind before finals? Look no further! Crystal Moon and Andrea Donovan will be holding a de-stress poetry session through Zoom on Wednesday, December 9 from 4 to 5:30 PM MST. It will take the place of the regular CDI Safe Spaces, and we'll be using poetry as a means to improve one's wellbeing. Space is limited to 10, so sign uphere!Living Library On Wednesday, January 20th, the Center for Diversity and Inclusion will be hosting the Human Library Event. At this event, "readers" will have the opportunity to check out a" Human Book" - meaning that the two persons, the "Book" and the "Reader," will have a 30-minute, one-on-one conversation to learn more about the "Book's" individual experiences. If you are interested in becoming a book, please contact either Donielle Savoie (doniellesavoie@suu.edu) or Landry Igiraneza (landryigiraneza@suu.edu).Pride Alliance Masks Join the Pride Alliance in supporting our LGBTQIA+ campus community by purchasing and wearing your rainbow mask with pride. Half of the proceeds will be donated to the Allies Scholarship fund, and the other half will help Pride Alliance host trainings and events for supporting and creating safe spaces for our LGBTQIA+ students. If you're interested in purchasing a mask, click here!ENGL 2210: Hip-Hop Queens A course on the legacy of female artists in the rap and hip hop industry will be available next semester. Throughout this course, students will listen to and analyze music by artists such as Lauryn Hill. Queen Latifah, Missy Elliott, Beyonce, Janelle Monae, Lizzo, Sa-Roc, Nicki Minaj, Cardi B, and others. Students will also consider how their music is situated within broader traditions in African American literature, including black women's poetry. This course qualifies as a general education humanities course. If this sounds interesting to you, don't forget to register for the class before the seats fill up!
Club Meetings
African Union Club Every other Friday, 5 PM at the CDI (ST 102)Asian American Student Alliance Every other Monday, 6 PM at the CDI (ST 102)Black Student Union Wednesdays, 6:30 PM at the CDI (ST 102)Latinx Student Alliance Wednesdays, 5:00 PM at the CDI (St 102)
Middle East Club Fridays, 4:30 PM at the CDI (ST 102)Native American Student Association Tuesdays, 6 PM at the CDI (ST 102)Polynesian Club Every First Monday, 5 PM at the CDI (ST 102)Pride and Equality Club Thursdays, 6 PM at the CDI (ST 102)UndocuMigrant Alliance Thursdays, 8 PM at the CDI (ST 102)
Our Clubs
African Union Club (AUC) Club President:Anthony Musimbi Contact: anthy.andy@gmail.com Social Media: IG @suu_a.u.cAsian American Student Alliance (AASA) Club President: David Nguyen Contact: dhn206@gmail.com Social Media: IG @suu_aasaBlack Student Union (BSU)
Club President: Dominique Erwin Contact: dominiqueerwin@suumail.net Social Media: BSU Facebook, IG/Twitter @suu_bsu
Latino Student Alliance (LSA)
Club President: Hunter Cordova Contact:hunter.cordova@me.com Social Media: LSA Facebook, IG @suulsa
Middle East Club (MEC)
Club President: Abdulelah (Abdul) Fakhrani Contact:middleeastsuu@gmail.com Social Media: Middle East SUU Facebook, IG/Twitter @middleeastsuu
Native American Student Association (NASA)
Club President: Mahala Sutherland Contact:mahalasutherland@gmail.com Social Media: NASA Facebook, IG @nasa_suuPolynesian Club Club President: Victor Ledua Contact:leduavictor98@gmail.com Social Media: PC Facebook , IG @suu.poly
Pride and Equality Club (PAEC)
Club President: Victor Carvajal-Lopez Contact:victorcarvajallopez@suumail.net Social Media: PAEC Facebook, IG @suu_paec
UndocuMigrant Alliance (UMA)
Club President: Erick Peña Contact:erickthepena@gmail.com
Social Media: IG @uma_suu
OUR MISSION The Center for Diversity and Inclusion (CDI) exists to validate the multiple identities present on our campus, while integrating the voices and experiences of marginalized people. We provide emotional, social, and financial support to students from historically underrepresented communities (e.g. students of color, LGBTQIA+ students, first-generation college students, etc.)
The CDI collaborates with campus partners to foster a learning environment that respects multiple perspectives and differences through multicultural clubs, workshops, trainings and cultural programming. The CDI invites members of the campus community to join in conversation about how to cultivate an inclusive, safe, and welcoming campus culture.
CONTACT US Sharwan Smith Student Center, Room 101 and 102 diversity@suu.edu
435.865.8761
Have Something to Add to the Newsletter? If you have information you would like to include in this newsletter, please email the information to diversity@suu.edu. All materials must be received by Wednesday to be included in the following week's newsletter. Thank you!
