It's Homecoming Week at UW-Madison!!!

Honoring Our Own 

Congratulations Gwendolyn (Lola) Omolabi Class of 2015!  

 

Gwendolyn, a senior double major in Economics and Finance, Investment and Banking, stays active on campus through her position as President of the African Students Association (ASA) and as a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, a historically black service organization committed to campus service. As President of ASA, Gwendolyn is leading an effort to raise supplies such as wheel chairs and money to aid students at St. Rita, a school in Cameroon for students with special needs. Gwendolyn played Euphonium in the UW Marching Band for two years and served as a tutor for Schools of Hope and Greater University Tutorial Services (GUTS) and now she is the one of the newest recipients of The On Wisconsin Society award.  

The On Wisconsin Society award is an annual award bestowed by the UW Homecoming Committee that honors exceptional UW-Madison students of junior or senior standing. 

Members of the On Wisconsin Society exemplify the Wisconsin Experience: they are student leaders who have contributed in a meaningful and lasting way to the UW campus, made notable achievements in their academic, volunteer or professional life, and have demonstrated Badger spirit in the energy, initiative, creativity and drive in their accomplishments.

Previous award winners were student organization leaders, campus ambassadors, and community activists whose impact reached beyond the University. Each year, students selected as recipients of the On Wisconsin Society award are honored as part of the Homecoming celebration. They join Homecoming activities as distinguished students and are acknowledged for their achievements throughout the week, including recognition on the field of Camp Randall during the Homecoming game. Additionally, each member of the On Wisconsin Society receives a life membership to the Wisconsin Alumni Association worth $650 for their outstanding efforts and a nominal scholarship.

Honorable Mention 2013 Award Recipient: Shawn Harris Class of 2014 (Pictured above right) 

Courtesy of: http://www.uwalumni.com/?sectionpath=1&pageid=21512&processor=content

 

Upcoming Homecoming Events

10/11

• Spirit Day: Badger spirit is catching, so show your pride, wear your red and spread the Homecoming cheer at work or in your community. Near, far, wherever you are: Strike a pose and share your pics!
• Homecoming Parade: Parade begins at 6pm on Sate and Gilman St. Get there early for good seats!

 10/12 

• Wisconsin vs. Northwestern — Fans will cheer on the Badgers at Camp Randall as they battle the Northwestern Wildcats during this year’s Homecoming football game.

Multicultural Homecoming

Look out for University of Wisconsin- Madison’s FIRST Multicultural Homecoming celebration. Join the campus in welcoming back our alumni of color.

Upcoming Events for Alumni:

• UW Multicultural Homecoming Game Watch Party | Starting at 2 p.m. 

Fluno Center — Study Pub, 8th Floor FREE 

Cheer on the Wisconsin football team as it takes on Northwestern from the comfort of the Fluno Center’s cozy Study Pub. This event is free to all participants of UW Multicultural Homecoming and includes hors d’oeuvres. Drinks will be available for purchase. Card games and other activities will be available. 

• "An Evening on the Town: Multicultural Alumni Soiree" | 8p.m. until 12a.m.

            Overture Center for the Arts: Promenade Hall and Lounge.   

Valued Inclusion Partner (VIP) Reception: 8-9 pm; The Soiree: 9 pm midnight.  Dress to Impress, free admission, cash bar, music, dancing, food and fun! Hosted by the Division of Diversity, Equity & Educational Achievement

• Stomp Da' Madness 2013 Homecoming Step Show | Starting at 7p.m.      

          Overture Center for the Arts (See Flyer Below)

Stepping at the 7th Annual Zeta Yard Show

Stepping at the 7th Annual Zeta Yard Show (UW-Madison)

Submitted by Deonte Harris on September 9, 2013 - 2:15pm

During the 2013 spring quarter at UCLA, I decided to conduct field research on the “stepping” tradition amongst the historically black Greek-letter organizations (BGLOs) for my final project in a field and laboratory methods course. While stepping was the “object” of my study, I was also interested in the ways in which step performances were creatively assembled to create organizational distinctions as well as “Greek Unity.” Initially, the idea to research and explore stepping stemmed from two major factors: 1) my involvement with the practice from childhood to adulthood as a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity; and 2) a determination to spread awareness of the tradition amongst academics, particularly in the fields of musicology and ethnomusicology. Moreover, I believed that a tradition such as stepping would be of particular interest to ethnomusicologists due to its socio-musical nature, which physically represents John Blacking’s definition of music as “humanly organized sound” (Blacking 1973:10). Therefore, I sought to do some documentation and analysis of step performances through audio and video recording, and one of my sites of research was the Zeta Yard Show on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus. Before highlighting performances at the Zeta Yard Show, a definition of stepping and a brief acknowledgement of its developers may be useful for readers who are unfamiliar with the tradition.
Stepping, as it is known and practiced today, was developed by members of the “Divine Nine” National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) on college campuses across the United States. It was within the black collegiate experience that the legacy of stepping came to fruition and has been maintained and transmitted through the years as an oral tradition. The nine fraternities and sororities that make up the body of NPHC are: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. (1906); Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (1908); Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. (1911); Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. (1911); Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (1913); Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. (1914); Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. (1920); Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. (1922); and Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. (1963).
The practice of stepping itself can best be described as a series of highly physical, multilayered routines that typically involves a group of individuals stomping, clapping, patting, singing, and chanting in a synchronized manner.

This brief sound clip from the 2013 Zeta Yard Show reinforces certain organizational identity markers through singing, chanting, and stepping by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity.

Another critical component of stepping is group cohesiveness, which is displayed through the uniformity of sound and bodily movement, generating a crucial audio-visual partnership. The combination of these two domains (audio and visual) through the assemblage of choreographed motions and sounds results in the compilation of a complex, multidimensional performance practice known as “stepping.” These features were on full display at the 7^th Annual Zeta Yard Show at UW-Madison (to view a few of the step routines, please see the movie “Performing Identity” at the end which also provides an analysis of the recorded material).
The Zeta Yard Show took place on Saturday, May 11, 2013 in 3650 Humanities (a university lecture hall located in the central part of the UW campus). The event was completely free and open to public. Those in attendance totaled about 300 persons, and consisted of mostly university students, alumni, Greeks from the NPHC and Multi-Cultural Greek Council, and a host of supportive friends and family. One of the unique things about the Zeta Yard Show, however, is that the event is about more than just stepping; it functions to promote Greek unity and serves as an “opportunity for fraternities and sororities to showcase their organization’s mission, principles, pay homage to their founders, and to inform the campus about any service they do in the community” (Jo’Niece Monk, member of the Eta Iota chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.). In terms of how the event is organized, “it is put together by organizations selecting steps, calls, chants, and strolls that represent their organization and local chapter” [italics added] (ibid.).
During the first half of the Zeta Yard Show, the participating organizations performed routines of self-representation through songs, strolls (choreographed line dances set to music), chants, and a series of steps, all of which represented their respective fraternity or sorority. For the second half of the show, each performing group was asked to step as a different organization within the NPHC. This resulted in the female sororities performing as male fraternities, and vice-versa. In order to perform the identity of another group, the steppers would change into the colors of that fraternity or sorority, as well as perform a few of the signature step routines that represent the “swapped” organization. This swapping of colors and routines is commonly known as a “Flip-Flip Show” or, in the case of the 2013 Zeta Yard Show, a “Switch-A-Roo Show.” The following pictures illustrate performances of self-representation and the “Switch-A-Roo.”

Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity self-representation

Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity as Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority self-representation

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority as Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity

When Michael Lee of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. was asked about the nature of this year’s Zeta Yard Show, he stated that “generally, it's a fun show, so some of the stuff that we are going to be doing is out of the norm for myself, but it’s all about making the people laugh and enjoy their time.” Perhaps this “out of the norm” feeling he was referring to stemmed from having to engage in a cross-gendered performance; that is, although he is a man, he would have to perform as a sorority woman (this was the case for every male performing group). The women also had to make certain negotiations to render a male fraternity presentation, and both forms of cross-gendered performances generally resulted in an uproar of laughter from those in attendance.
As an entity, the Zeta Yard Show is a creative, social process that consists of strategically choreographed routines and antics that display organizational distinction as well as black Greek unity. Both distinction and unity are achieved through this production by creating a performance space through which black Greeks can engage in self-expression and learn from the other NPHC organizations through exchange and interaction. The result of these things is the formation of an interactive environment between steppers and audience that entertains while it educates.

"Performing Identity" at the 2013 Zeta Yard Show (UW-Madison)

AASAS is HIRING!!!

Student Leadership Outreach Assistant

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AASAS Mission:

The mission of the African American Student Academic Services office is to create an environment that speaks to the needs of African and African-American students through academic support, leadership development, civic engagement and cultural awareness which in turn enhances their collegiate experience.

General Description:

The Student Leadership Outreach Assistant would provide administrative support to the AASAS Coordinator in addition to special projects within the Center for Academic Excellence.  He/she would also serve in the outreach capacity in regards to promoting the AASAS office and communicating with students and student organizations when necessary. *Special preference given to upperclassmen and student leaders.

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Qualifications:

·         Good Academic Standing (Minimum 2.5 gpa)

·         Be self-motivated, mature, responsible and have a proven track record of being a student leader

·         Strong communication/customer service skills, organizational skills, and attention to detail

·         Possess the ability to work collaboratively with other offices and personnel in the Center for Academic Excellence

·         Possess a working knowledge of computers, technology, and social media

·         Possess an understanding of the cultural, societal, structural, gender, etc. issues that affect African and African American students

Job Responsibilities:

·         Attend and assist in promoting and coordinating activities, programs, and events within AASAS

·         Maintain social media for the office including AASAS website, Facebook, Twitter, and the AASAS Blog

·         Serve as a liaison between the AASAS office and student organizations by attending meetings/events and reporting back to the AASAS Coordinator: I.e. Wisconsin Black Student Union (WBSU), African Students Association (ASA), National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), Wisconsin Association of Black Men (WABM), and the National Pan-Hellenic Council organizations and more

·         Provide feedback to the coordinator regarding needs of different student groups

·         Perform miscellaneous office duties and responsibilities including, but not limited to: clerical support, develop and maintain e-mail list, coordinating mailings, transcribe information, work on special projects, and more

·         Provide reception backup to Center for Academic Excellence

·         Other duties as assigned

Salary:  Negotiable with experience, 15-20 hours per week (We strongly encourage work-study students to apply)

Please submit a 2013 Fall semester class schedule, cover letter, current resume w/2 references to kfoster4@wisc.edu by Wednesday, August 21st, 2013 at 4pm.

AASAS Graduation Gifts!

Greetings Badgers!!

AASAS has a few Graduation Gifts left over.  Don't leave campus without your own piece of UW-Madison. AASAS wants to provide you with this wonderful keepsake to refer back to for years to come! Starting Thursday, May 16th all left over graduation gifts will be disbursed to those graduating students who had not signed up, yet still wish to receive one.  So please be sure to stop by the office to pick up your AASAS Graduation Gift! 

 

Congratulations again!

Karla & Vanessa
AASAS

Bascom Hall B-26
9am-4pm

"Curlfriends" Natural Hair Event

"Curlfriends" Natural Hair Event 

Thursday, April 18th 

6pm-8pm 

MSC Louge(Red Gym, Second Floor) 

 African American Student Academic Services presents their next Curlfriends meeting around Natural Styles and Techniques for Graduation/Formal Events with special guests Alice Traore and Gia Gallimore. Curlfriends creates a sense of community among African and African American women based around the historical characteristics that separate us from the mainstream definitions of beauty. 

Internship Job Search Tips

       Its April...Do you know what your Summer plans are??

We have heard of a lot of students who already know what they are doing for the summer.... and that's great! This post isn't for you. But we also know that some students are just starting their summer job/internship search. Now this is the post for you.

We here at AASAS are here to provide you with some tips on creating a great resume to land an interview, interview tips, and more! Read on and happy job hunting!

Let's Start out with talking about the 4 main types of interviews.

photo courtesy of career.sunnysb.edu

It's important to be able to distinguish between the different types of internships when you are beginning your job search. More importantly, it is important to realize the type of internship YOU are looking for. Knowing this, can prevent you from having to turn down an internship later or having an internship turn you down. Some internships require that your University accepts their internship as college credit. If your University does not, you may be rejected for the internship. And it would really suck if you got an internship, but had to turn it down because you realize it's unpaid. KNOWING WHAT YOU WANT AND NEED IN AN INTERNSHIP IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT!!!!

WHAT ABOUT YOUR RESUME/COVER LETTER??

THE CARTOON IS RIGHT! 

Well kind of... while obviously making very overly distracting creative choices on your resume can harm you, it's important to know what your job is looking for.

What I mean is, different fields require/look for different things on their resume. For example, in Entertainment/Media related-resumes, they would prefer your education section at the bottom! This is very different from internships/jobs in the engineering field, where they expect your education information to be one of the first things that they see. 

There is no right or wrong way...but depending on what your job is, it's important to know the particular format of and do's and don't's of your particular field's resume requirement. Some like Objective lines, some don't. Ignorance of this can harm you!

For example: Because employers in the media field get thousands of resumes for each job opening, it is important that they are able to shift through the resumes quickly. So, resumes that are too wordy or don't get to the point quick enough are thrown away without second glance! So, if someone has their education section at the top (because they didn't research the field), their resume will be thrown away, because it didn't get to the point fast enough!

MORAL OF THE STORY: RESEARCH THE REQUIREMENTS OF YOUR FIELD'S RESUME! IT WILL PUT YOU AHEAD OF THE CURVE!

YOU'VE GOT THE INTERVIEW! NOW ANSWER QUESTIONS LIKE A PRO! 

Yay! If you made it this far it means that the company you are trying to work for saw your resume and wanted to hear more from you in person! 

But here's the tricky thing. A lot of employers ask very vague and generic questions in order to see if you can creatively answer them in a way that separates you from the crowd. If you have had an interview before, you are probably familiar with these questions: "Why are you the best candidate for this position?" "Why do you think you would make a good fit for our company?" And so on.

So to give you some help on answering those pretty ambiguous questions effectively  we have posted a video which covers the generic questions and how to answer them effectively. 

FOLLOW UP AFTER THE INTERVIEW!!

Now that you've had the interview, everything is out of your hands right? NO!

One very important last step is to SEND A THANK YOU NOTE RIGHT AFTER YOUR INTERVIEW! This is something that has not caught up to many people, and it will make companies remember you afterwards. Even if you did not get the job it is important to show your appreciation.  Not only will it set you apart from other applicants, but it will help you form a relationship with the employer. That way, when/if you apply for another position with the same employer, they will remember your enthusiasm! 

The note can be either handwritten, typed, or emailed. All are very good, however, handwritten implies that you took more time and care in your thank-you. 

GOOD LUCK!!!!! 

AASAS 

Slow Food Dinner- Finger Lickin' Good Cuisine

Project 1808 Presents:

Slow Food Dinner - Finger-Licking Good Cuisine 

Join Project 1808 for an evening of West African Cuisine and Live Music! 

Location: The Crossing ( 1127 University Ave) 

Time: 6:00 pm  

Cost: $15and all proceeds go to Project 1808!

RSVP FAST to reserve your place at the dinner table: http://www.doodle.com/zqvfxmnhs7m8nqsm