The Student Organization for Diversity (SOFD) was re-started late fall semester by faculty advisor Dr. Mauldin and student Lance Boehmer.  The club decided to put on their first event of the year, a fondue party, Thursday, January 24 in the Native American Center on campus to help get the word out about the club.  Lance Boehmer, President of SOFD, stated that, “The idea was to get people to enjoy a diverse food while engaging in conversations about issues around campus concerning diversity.” 

Lance also said that the club picked fondue because it is a food that most people either have not heard about or do not really know what to expect from it.  Fondue, as Dr. Mauldin explained, is a communal food; typically it is a pot of cheese or chocolate with food items to dip into the pot.  SOFD set up a table in the Native American Center for the fondue.  They covered it with a fondue pot of a delicious garlic cheese and bread pieces, carrots, pretzels, pepper slices, and broccoli along with wooden skewers to use for dipping.  

Students gathered around the table and eagerly dug in to the new experience, because for many of the students, it was the first time they had ever tried fondue.  Faces lit up as their taste buds tingled with delight.  Conversations also started flowing, showing that the fondue really does promote conversation.   Students were able to discuss issues they have noticed around campus centering around diversity, as well as closed-mindedness and racism.  

Dr. Mauldin, who is incredibly energetic and passionate about SOFD, talked with some students more in depth about these issues.  He first explained what SOFD is all about; “The Student Organization for Diversity is all about trying to raise awareness about inequality and about universal acceptance.  What we want to do is raise campus awareness about diverse activities and clubs already existing on campus.”  He was visibly pleased to talk openly with students about their issues and even encouraging them to be more vocal and to come express their concerns in the next SOFD meeting.

The club is a welcoming outlet for concerned students.  The whole goal of SOFD is to be supportive of everyone and not be affiliated with any one group, and also to raise awareness across groups about diversity and promoting acceptance across groups.  

SOFD meets in the Native American Center, but any student on campus is allowed to use the center at anytime.  There is a computer lab on the second floor, conference and living rooms for studying on both floors, and generally it is a welcoming study environment.  They even allow all students to use their kitchen anytime they want.  The club encourages all students to check out the center and raise their personal awareness about diversity.

The Student Organization for Diversity meets every other Thursday (meetings are the same weeks as President’s Council) at 7:00 PM in the Native American Center.  The next meeting will be February 7, and the club encourages everyone to come, at least once, to see what it is all about and to expose your minds to new and exciting ideas.     

SOFD did an amazing job with their first event; it was a big success.  Many students came out to the Native American Center and ended up having a grand experience in a welcoming environment.  Some students even stated that they would certainly be interested in attending more SOFD events, and would even frequent the Native American Center more often.  As Damien Powell, head of SOFD advertising, put it, “The club is off to a good start and the event went better than expected!”

Be first to comment this article

Only registered users can write comments.
Please login or register.

Powered by AkoComment Tweaked Special Edition v.1.4.6
AkoComment © Copyright 2004 by Arthur Konze - www.mamboportal.com
All right reserved