Announcements

Thanks to all who helped on the Habitat for Humanity house build in Champaign. Much work was done, much fun was had.

Thanks also to those who spent time working at the beer tent at the Urbana Sweetcorn Festival.  Much beer was consumed.

Speaker

Mike Doyle, Executive Director of the University YMCA, now in its 140^th year on campus, spoke to us this morning.  Although frequently asked about it, the University Y has no pool or gymnasium.  Instead the focus is on student leadership development in four areas:  increasing understanding through interfaith in action, promoting global engagement, working for social justice, and protecting the environment /sustainability.

Some of the current programs on campus are the Friday Forum which will be focusing on the problems surrounding Incarceration this year, an art show featuring the work of dissident Chinese artists, and the Bailey Scholarship Program which awards $160,000 to UI students.

The YMCA began to promote global engagement in the early 1900’s by greeting international students and providing a place for them to stay, some of the first dorms on campus.  For 20 to 30 years a dinner and reception, open to the community has been held to introduce international students to the area.  At present one out of five students are from another country so there is a strong need for cross cultural interaction.

Mike highlighted five new programs in the area of global engagement.  Intercultural Horizons involves 15 students engaged in multi-year international and domestic workshops and team service trips.  During their third year the students go out into the university community to foster cooperation.

The YMCA has undertaken the Intercambio sponsorship which includes a trip to the Yucatan for construction projects and dental and optical services.  The application to serve and live with locals is open to anyone.

The Global Health Initiative Medical Scholars program is engaged in identifying partnerships around the world.  The International Service Learning Initiative fosters partnerships in hands-on learning centers globally. In the area of Immigration the YMCA focuses on making connections with people in our community by mentoring Urbana High School students, sponsoring a help line to identify resources in the area, and engaging the community in the CU Immigration Forum.

For more information see the Y website at www.universityymca.org

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Upcoming Schedule

September 5th – John Eby, Activities Program Manager for Student Life, Parkland College

September 12th – Dr. Peter Schiffer, Vice Chancellor for Research, UIUC

September 19th – Julie Melton, Director of Marketing & Development, Eastern Illinois Foodbank

September 26th – Steve Willette, owner of the Living Yoga Center in Urbana

October 3rd – TBD

October 10th – TBD

October 17th – TBD

October 24th – Rebecca Ginsburg, Director, Education Justice Project, UIUC

October 31st – Jack O’Lantern, Wanda the Wicked Witch, and Chuck the Terrible will co-host a panel