Honors Program Events for 2020 Fall Semester

2020 Fall Events:

The Springfield College Honors Program hosted its first event of the 2020 Fall semester on Wednesday, Sept. 23 titled, “All Politics Is Local: Getting Engaged, Where We Are.”

The evening was moderated by Springfield College Honors Program Director Rebecca Lartigue, and featured Springfield City Counselor and State Senator-elect, Hampden District Adam Gomez, Belchertown School Committee Chair Heidi Gutekenst, and LMV, NAACP, Democratic Committee, Restorative Justice Camille Elliott, who also is a member of the Springfield College Academic Success Center team.

The following is a breakdown of timestamps for the archived video.

0:00 to 2:38 – Becky Lartigue Introductions

2:40 to 14:28 – Adam Gomez opening remarks

14:58 to 22:20 – Heidi Gutekenst opening remarks

22:38 to 39:16 – Camille Elliott opening remarks

40:15 to 44:18 – Kyle Belanger, Springfield College Communications/Sports Journalism Professor and South Hadley School Committee Member remarks

44:50 – Beginning of question and answer segment

1:17:15 – Springfield College Business Management Professor and Springfield City Council Member Tim Allen

1:31:50 – 1:32:33 - Springfield College Assistant Professor of History Ian Delahanty leads reading of the Constitution of the United States in observance of Constitution Day.

In getting the event and discussion started, each of the panelists were given time to address how and why they have become involved in local politics, followed by a question and answer segment where the virtual audience could ask the panelists their questions.

The event helped connect the Springfield College campus community in talking about why voting is so important, and featured ways individuals can get involved in their local towns, cities, and communities. 

Constitution Day

At the conclusion of the question and answer segment, Springfield College Assistant Professor of History Ian Delahanty provided a reading of the United States Constitution, in observance of Constitution Day. Each year, Springfield College joins colleges and universities across the country in observing Constitution Day. On Sept. 17, 1787, delegates attending the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia signed the final draft of the United States Constitution after four months of debate, drafting, and revision.  Since 2004, all schools receiving federal funds have observed Constitution Day in some form during the week of Sept. 17.

#SCvotes

It was also announced that the Springfield College campus community is committed to making sure the student population gets out there and votes during this election season with the #SCvotes campaign. The groups on the campus like the Graduate Student Organization, Men of Excellence, Athletics, and Office of Multicultural Affairs, are collaborating to make sure the #SCvotes campaign will spread voting information to the student body. Starting immediately, there will be an upcoming video series where Springfield College students talk about why it's important to vote. Be on the lookout for outdoor registration booths on the campus with QR codes and forms for voter registration being available, as well as giveaways.

Monday, Oct. 26

Language Judgments as (Micro)aggressions

(*An OMA A SEAT at the Table event)

A panel of Black students helped correct misunderstandings about African American English as a language variety (sometimes popularly called “ebonics”). Topics addressed included: how value judgments of pronunciation, grammar, usage, and language "correctness" reflect cultural biases that we can overcome; how no language variety is inherently "better" than any other; and why we must commit to being respectful of people's language varieties.

Organized by Prof. Becky Lartigue for her ENGL 377 (History of the English Language) course.