Signing the Language

The Eta Xi Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. and the Iota Zeta Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. hosted “Signing the Language”, an informative workshop teaching students how to communicate with the hearing impaired through sign language.
“There are all kinds of languages being taught on this campus, but not this one which is just as important as any other language. We wanted to not only bring something new to the campus, but help students understand its importance,” said Lateshia Brown, a member of Delta Sigma Theta and the committee chair for the program, on the sorority’s reasons for creating the workshop.
“I’ve known sign language since I was five years old because that’s how I communicate with my mother. I felt students should learn a vital skill that is being needed more and more. We wanted to show different sides of communication,” said Brian Hewitt, a member of Omega Psi Phi and guest speaker for the program, on the fraternity’s participation in the workshop.
About fifty students participated in the workshop. After an introduction from Brown on information about the hearing impaired, and Hewitt’s personal encounter with the language, students were broken up into two separate groups to learn different phrases, words, and sentences from members of the fraternity and sorority.
~Melissa Kimble

CROP Walk a response to the global food crisis

On October 18, 2008 the Interfaith Student Center and the Sociology Department of UTM hosted the CROP Walk: Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty, in response to the global food crisis. The CROP Walk was created by the global humanitarian agency, Church World Service. Walks link the lives of people in the U.S. with impoverished people around the world. For over 60 years, communities across the U.S. have joined together to participate in walks to raise awareness about hunger and give people a way to help both in their own communities and around the world.
About forty students participated in the walk, with members from various organizations such as the S.H.A.P.E Club and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. “I heard about the walk and I really wanted to participate in something directly helping the community,” said Denis Gordon, member of Kappa Alpha Psi. “I’m just glad an opportunity was offered and by doing something small, I could help with a big cause.”
The CROP Walk’s proceed will not only go to a world cause against hunger, but also a local cause, Hunter’s for The Hungry. About nine hundred dollars was raised so far, but the Interfaith will still accept donations from any individual or organization who want to help in the fight against poverty and hunger.