Student Life

Campus growth, light rail and academic resources were a few of the topics addressed by Chancellor Philip Dubois and campus administrators during a recent discussion with the student body in the Student Union Rotunda. 

The Multicultural Resource Center (MRC) will host a free, public screening and discussion of the documentary “Five Friends” at 5 p.m., Monday, March 30, in the Student Union, Room 263.

With the emergence of the term “bromance,” modern pop culture has become fascinated with male friendships. In an evolving society, there is uncertainty as to how these male friendships should appear, their importance and how they can be discussed in a masculine manner. The term “bromance” itself implies a certain awkwardness when referring to these close relationships between men.

Chancellor Philip Dubois will hold an interactive discussion with the student body at 11:30 a.m., Thursday, March 19,  in the Student Union Rotunda.  The annual “Chancellor’s Lunchtime Student Talk” is an opportunity for students to discuss current issues facing the University and direct questions to the chancellor and campus administrators.

Following the chancellor’s remarks, Student Body President Steven Serio will deliver his “State of the University” address .

The event is hosted by the Student Government Association. Free food will be provided.

Olympian Shawn Johnson, author of “Winning Balance, will share her experiences as a gold medal-winning gymnast at 7 p.m., Thursday, March 19, in Cone University Center, McKnight Hall.

 The Student Union Art Gallery will display “Umbra,” an on-site installation by Meredith Connelly through Sunday, March 8. A free reception with the artist will be at 4:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 19; it will feature a performance by opera singer Kelly Hutchinson.

“Umbra” explores the pairing of light and sculpture with sound sensitivity. Though each sculpture is created specifically for the site, “Umbra” is a continuing series. The exhibit was first displayed at the Cornelius Arts Center last summer.

Contemporary dance company Step Afrika! will perform at 7 p.m., Monday,  Feb. 23, in the Student Union, Room 340 D-I. The event, sponsored by the Campus Activities Board (CAB), is free and open to the public.

Founded in 1994, the dance company is the first professional ensemble dedicated to the tradition of stepping. It now ranks as one of the top 10 African American dance companies in the United States.

MetLife Foundation and UNC Charlotte announced a partnership to establish a “Women in Business” leadership program in the University’s Belk College of Business; the foundation contributed $100,000 to launch the initiative.

The website Best College Values has ranked UNC Charlotte’s Student Union at number six on its list of “30 Most Amazing Student Unions.”

In determining its compilation, the website examined architecture and exterior appeal, facilities, interior appeal and tradition when ranking student unions across the country.

The Charlotte-based LGBT arts, entertainment and news publication qnotes recently named Josh Burford, assistant director for sexual and gender diversity in the Multicultural Resource Center, as its “2014 Person of the Year.”

The recognition stemmed from Burford’s extensive campus and community involvement, and in particular, his outreach initiatives related to the establishment of a community LGBTQ historical archive in UNC Charlotte’s J. Murray Atkins Library Special Collections.

J. Scott Derrick, executive director of the Student Union and Cone University Center, is president-elect for the Association of College Unions International (ACUI); he will be installed formally in April at the organization’s annual conference in San Antonio, Texas.

“I am both honored and humbled to have been elected by my fellow ACUI colleagues as president-elect,” said Derrick. “To be trusted with this responsibility is something that I take very seriously.”