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from the issue of December 16, 2004
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UNL program can provide an OASIS for all
BY KELLI M. EICKMEIER, SPECIAL TO THE SCARLET
Starting college can be a challenge for any student, but it can be more challenging for students of color at a predominantly white university. At UNL, the Office of Academic Support and Intercultural Services is here to help.
The OASIS Web site at www.unl.edu/oasis_culturecenter states the office's vision is "to facilitate a supportive environment for students with an emphasis on students of color, to promote cultural and educational programs that celebrate, embrace and enhance students' learning experiences, and to establish links between students, faculty and staff in organizing, developing and participating in programs and services that promote the recruitment and retention of students of color."
OASIS offers academic programs for students as well as intercultural and co-curricular programs. Some of the academic programs include NU Connections, Students Taking Academic Control (STAC), Academic Support Series, and the Students of Color Academic Recognition Program. These programs range from offering a mentor to students to recognizing students of color who have distinguished themselves academically. Many of these programs place emphasis on helping students of color meet others and creating a diverse environment for all students.
The newest of these programs is STAC. It began in the middle of the 2003 fall semester. In the STAC program, first-time academic probation students are contacted to discuss what services are available to help them improve academically. STAC students are urged to commit to two hours of studying for every hour in class. These students are also encouraged to spend at least six hours a week in the NU Connections Success Lab. They can use these six hours for studying and to receive tutoring. Program coordinators at OASIS are also available to discuss with students any academic, social and personal issues.
In addition to the introduction of the STAC program, NU Connections has been revamped. The program, which is offered to first-year students to assist in the transition from high school to the university, is now a two-year program instead of one. According to Renita Tyrance, director of OASIS, having the program extended for another year helps retain students.
Although the emphasis of OASIS is on students, faculty and staff can also benefit from the program. OASIS offers intercultural and co-curricular programs including Shades of Leadership, Movie Nights, Coffee House Nights, social nights and cultural celebrations. Shades of Leadership recognizes students, faculty and staff who have made contributions to the enrichment of minority-student education at the university. Faculty and staff are welcome to participate in Coffee House Nights, where groups can experience diversity at local coffee houses. Faculty and staff are also invited to participate in Movie Nights, in which university professors lead discussions about issues addressed in the movies watched. Tyrance said that when students, faculty and staff interact outside of the classroom, students feel they belong at the university.
Cameya Ramirez, OASIS program coordinator, said OASIS has other offerings for UNL faculty and staff.
"OASIS offers fliers and e-mails to faculty and staff reminding them of upcoming events," she said. "OASIS has staff trained to talk to classes about intercultural issues and can also serve as a sounding board for faculty and staff in how they handle intercultural issues in the classroom."
Graduate student Katie Cervantes said she's fond of the cultural celebrations OASIS puts on four times a year for African, Asian, Native and Hispanic Americans.
"OASIS administers the planning for these events, but students of the different cultures also participate in the planning, which validates their culture," she said.
Other services OASIS offers are full-service computer labs as well as space that can be reserved for department meetings, student groups and more. Tyrance said the Culture Center is set up to be like a third Union for UNL where students, faculty and staff can relax, learn and interact.
Kelli M. Eickmeier is a senior advertising major with an emphasis in public relations.
GO TO: ISSUE OF DECEMBER 16
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