We hope that your fall term has begun well! We are so excited to be underway with the new academic year.
The leadership of the College Student Services Administration Master’s Program changed this summer and is now under the leadership of Kim McAloney through the Office of the Dean of Student Life and Tom Scheuermann with University Housing and Dining Services. CSSA faculty had multiple planning meetings this summer and are excited for what the future holds for CSSA.
Two new pieces for this year that we are very excited about are WRITE Nights (Thursdays from 4-7pm in Furman 303) where CSSA students can have a designated study space each week and CSSA on Twitter @OSU_CSSA. We look forward to connecting via these opportunities!
Cohort of fall 2013
This fall, CSSA will be undergoing our 10-year graduate program review. All of our students, faculty and staff affiliated with the program will have an opportunity to participate. More information on how CSSA students can be involved will be sent via email soon.
Also, in addition to maintaining our on campus program, we are working on the development of a parallel ECampus program. We will write more about this in our blog near the end of this term.
That’s all our updates for now. Please let us know if you have questions.
Kim McAloney is Coordinator of Student Life Programs in the Office of the Dean of Student Life. Kim supports the College Student Services Administration masters program, the NASPA Undergraduate Fellows Program, and supervises interns.
Student Life is spicing it up for the OSU Food Pantry
by Debby Widony
The people who serve the University from the offices of Student Life believe that our lives are enriched by helping others. So, in addition to our daily work implementing strategic plans we are collecting an array of herbs and spices to stock the OSU Food Pantry shelves. We expect our collection will be as diverse as the people in our Student Life community. As the boxes fill with simple salt, exotic star anise, sweet basil, earthy cumin, warm cinnamon, and other aromatics and herbs, we think about how our work supporting student success is much like the spices that can influence the outcome of a meal.
We’ll be collecting seasonings for the Food Pantry for the entire academic year. Our hope is to also use this opportunity to expand our cultural knowledge as Student Lifers venture into local specialty markets or aisles of our favorite markets that support the cuisines of our colleagues and students who hail from outside the Pacific Northwest.
Debby Widony serves as the executive assistant to the Dean of Student Life but is better known in Student Life as the Wizard of Odds because of the process, procedure, and policy information bitz she acquires and shares with others.
I am the coordinator for Everyone Matters @ OSU, a campus-wide initiative encouraging inclusivity and non-judgment of others. At Oregon State University, we treat each other with civility, dignity and respect. Everyone Matters @ OSU emphasizes that we are a community full of individuals who all have value.
This initiative is primarily a social media campaign, creating an online community where OSU community members can express why they think Everyone Matters @ OSU. Throughout the year, students, faculty, staff, offices, departments, and student organizations post videos and photos that either individually or collectively voice support to prioritize inclusivity and non-judgment at OSU.
Everyone Matters @ OSU has partnered with many campus constituents including The Office of Equity and Inclusion, ASOSU, MUPC, SEAC, #bebeaverbold, and The Valley Library. Everyone Matters @ OSU illustrates the mission statement of Oregon State University by promoting social and cultural progress and demonstrates that a social media community can have an impact on the physical environment of our campus.
I think one of the most impactful Everyone Matters @ OSU events, was this past week at the Beaver Community Fair. Everyone Matters @ OSU hosted a photo booth where students and OSU community members answered the question, “Why is your friend awesome?” Here are a few examples of the great energy and positive work that came from that event.
Everyone Matters @ OSU challenges people to stop, think, and take action to demonstrate inclusivity and non-judgment. On a big campus where many people can feel marginalized, Everyone Matters @ OSU is an opportunity to take a small step to make a big difference.
Hannah Pynn is the Graduate Assistant for the Office of the Dean of Student Life and a masters student in the College Student Services Administration Program. She loves supporting students as they pursue their dreams to make our world awesome.
This blogpost series is called Holidays and Holy Days to inform our OSU community about significant religious and spiritual observances. If you know of a significant holiday or holy day coming up, please communicate the information to Hannah Pynn hannah.pynn@oregonstate.edu in the Dean of Student Life office.
May 23rd, 2013 is the Bahá’í holiday of Declaration of the Báb.
Historical Context
The Declaration of the Báb happened in May 1844 when a Shi’a Muslim, Mullá Husayn, was on a journey looking for the Promised One. The Promised One, also called Al-Qāʾim in the Shi’a tradition, is a messiah figure told about in holy scriptures.
Mullá Husayn traveled to Shiraz, Iran where he was approached by a young stranger who invited Mullá Husayn to his home. This young man’s name was Siyyid Ali Muhammad and was a direct descendent of the Prophet Muhammad through the lineage of both of his parents. Mullá Husayn told Siyyid Ali Muhammad that he was searching for the possible successor to Siyyid Kázim, the Promised One.
This young man who was only 24 years old, told Mullá Husayn that he was Siyyid Kázim’s successor and the bearer of divine knowledge. When Mullá Husayn described the prophesies of The Promised One, Ali Muhammad declared, “Behold, all of these signs are manifest in me.”
Ali Muhammad then proceeded to explain the meanings of difficult holy teachings to Mullá Husayn and convinced him that he was the Promised One that Mullá Husayn had been searching for. Ali Muhammad said, “O Thou who art the first to believe in Me! Verily, I say, I am the Báb, the Gate of God.” Siyyid Ali Muhammad took the title of “The Báb,” which in Arabic means “the Gate.” He was the first of two prophetic figures who founded the Baha’i Faith, the other being Baha’u’llah, which in Arabic means “The Glory of God.”
This is the room where the Declaration of the Bab happened.
Mood and Common Greetings
Mood – Festive, remembering the influence and significance of the Báb’s words
Common Greeting – Allah-u-Abha – an Arabic phrase that means “God is the Most Glorious”
Words of the Bab, handwritten by Mullá Husayn.
Modern Significance
The Bahá’í faith quickly spread from that small room in Shiraz to more than 200 countries and territories around the world, representing diversity from all over the world. The writings of the Báb quickly became the foundations for the new Bahá’í belief system which became an official religion later through the Bahá’u’lláh, the founder of the Bahá’í Faith, who was a follower of the Báb’s teachings.
Bahá’ís claim that the Báb was also the spiritual return of Elijah and John the Baptist, that he was the “Ushídar-Máh” referred to in the Zoroastrian scriptures, and that he was the forerunner of their own religion.
The declaration of the Báb is one of the nine holy days in the Bahá’í calendar.
Rituals/Traditions
Praying
Programs that tell the story of His declaration
No work or school
A special prayer read two hours and 11 minutes after sunset, which is the moment when the Báb informed Mulla Husayn of his mission
Reflect on the process of searching for spiritual answers
It is the policy of the Oregon University System and Oregon State University that no one shall be subject to discrimination based on age, disability, national origin, race, color, veteran status, marital status, religion, sex or sexual orientation.
With regards to religion, this policy prohibits the University, and its employees while at work or representing OSU, from taking action that promotes religion or promotes one particular religion over another. The University may not create an atmosphere which in anyway suggests it favors one religion over another, or religion over non-religion. As a public university, it is equally important not to inhibit voluntary religious expression. The University’s obligation is to balance these two elements — to refrain from promoting and at the same time to refrain from inhibiting. This policy is premised on respect for each individual’s right to make personal choices regarding the nature, if any, of his or her religious beliefs and practices.
This policy does not preclude a faculty member or employee from being an advisor to a recognized student organization which may have a religious affiliation.
EFFECTIVE DATE: May 7, 1997
WHO TO CONTACT
Any student or employee who feels he or she is being treated inappropriately based on religion is encouraged to contact the Office of Equity and Inclusion, 526 Kerr Administration Building, (541-737-3556).
This blogpost series is called Holidays and Holy Days to inform our OSU community about significant religious and spiritual observances. If you know of a significant holiday or holy day coming up, please communicate the information to Hannah Pynn hannah.pynn@oregonstate.edu in the Dean of Student Life office.
May 14-16th, 2013 is the Jewish holiday of Shavuot.
Historical Context
Shavuot is the Jewish holiday that commemorates the day when God gave Moses the Torah, a summary of God’s laws, on Mount Sinai. The word “Shavuot” means weeks. The festival of Shavuot marks the completion of a 7-week period between Passover and Shavuot. The Torah commands that Jews count forty-nine days between Passover and Shavuot. The last day of Passover, a sacrifice containing an “omer”-measure of barley, was offered in the Temple in Jerusalem. The day before Shavuot, an offering of wheat is to be brought to the Temple. An “omer” is equal to about 3.64 litres. In antiquity, grain harvest lasted seven weeks. Barley was harvested during Passover and the harvesting of wheat began during Shavuot.
Shavuot is celebrated in Israel for one day, but is celebrated for disapora (Jews not living in Israel) for two days.
Mood and Common Greetings
Mood – Festive, merriment that celebrates the harvest and God’s provision
Common Greeting – “Chag Sameach!” which means Happy Holiday!
Modern Significance
Shavuot, unlike other Jewish holidays, does not have commandments in the Torah. The traditions of Shavuot highlight the importance of tradition for the preservation of Jewish religious observance. Shavuot remembers that is a connection between Judaism, agriculture, and healthy communities.
Dairy foods are popular during Shavuot, which are symbolic for several reasons:
When they received the law of the Torah and had to follow kosher, Jews chose to eat dairy foods as they transitioned into the new laws
The Torah is compared to milk by King Solomon, “Like honey and milk, it lies under your tongue” (Song of Songs 4:11)
The Hebrew name of Mount Sinai is etymologically similar to the Hebrew word for cheese
Rituals/Traditions
Eating dairy foods – blintz, cheesecake, cheese-filled pancakes, basically any kind of amazing cheesy, dairy food you can think of
One night meal and day meal
Public readings of the book of Ruth – because the events of Ruth happen during harvest time
Greenery decorates homes and synagogues
All-night Torah study, called Tikkun Leil Shavuot (Hebrew: תקון ליל שבועות – this represents the night the Torah was given to Moses, Israelites overslept and Moses had to wake them because God was waiting on the mountaintop
Confirmation ceremonies for students aged 16-18 who are completing their religious studies
It is the policy of the Oregon University System and Oregon State University that no one shall be subject to discrimination based on age, disability, national origin, race, color, veteran status, marital status, religion, sex or sexual orientation.
With regards to religion, this policy prohibits the University, and its employees while at work or representing OSU, from taking action that promotes religion or promotes one particular religion over another. The University may not create an atmosphere which in anyway suggests it favors one religion over another, or religion over non-religion. As a public university, it is equally important not to inhibit voluntary religious expression. The University’s obligation is to balance these two elements — to refrain from promoting and at the same time to refrain from inhibiting. This policy is premised on respect for each individual’s right to make personal choices regarding the nature, if any, of his or her religious beliefs and practices.
This policy does not preclude a faculty member or employee from being an advisor to a recognized student organization which may have a religious affiliation.
EFFECTIVE DATE: May 7, 1997
WHO TO CONTACT
Any student or employee who feels he or she is being treated inappropriately based on religion is encouraged to contact the Office of Equity and Inclusion, 526 Kerr Administration Building, (541-737-3556).
I write the Holidays and Holy Days blog to educate the OSU community about significant religious and spiritual observances. Tuesday was Yom Haatzma’ut, Israel’s Independence Day that celebrates the establishment of the State of Israel on May 14th, 1948. I hesitated to write the Holidays and Holy Days blog post to honor this Israeli holiday when religious turmoil was making front-page news after the Boston Marathon Bombing.
In the hours following the blast, a Saudi man was arrested because he was seen running away from the blast. Meanwhile my Muslim friends flooded social media with the plea, “Please don’t let the attacker be a Muslim.” The Westboro Baptist Church announced their plan to shout at victim’s funerals because they think the bombing was a result God’s wrath for legalizing gay marriage in Massachusetts. One terrible act of violence was followed by more acts of hate and violence.
The Israel and Palestine region is an international symbol of religious conflict. When the United Nations General Assembly declared the Establishment of State for Israel in 1948, diaspora Jews around the world celebrated but the surrounding Arab states marched their troops into the area in protest of western politics determining the geographic and political structure of Palestine.
For other citizens of Israel, Yom Haatzm’ut is regarded as “al-Nakba,” meaning the “Day of Catastrophe.” Nakba recognizes the Palestinian bloodshed that occurred during the decision to make Israel and independent state. Currently, legal action can be taken against Palestinian communities holding Nakba events in Israel.
Muslims, Jews, and Christians are all descended from the historical figure of Abraham, and each of these religious communities regard the geographical location of Israel and Palestine as a holy land for their spiritual traditions. Claims on this strip of desert land have historical centuries of religious turmoil. Today, many who are invested in the conflict believe that the only solution is to divide the property into two independent states. Many Jewish, Muslim, and Christian residents of Israel are convinced that peace and resolution cannot be accomplished under the current political framework.
For some of our OSU community, Israel’s Independence Day is a time of celebration. For some, it is a day of mourning and sorrow. For others, it is a symbol of the need for interfaith dialogue, relationship, and conversation. I am not claiming that simple conversations can solve this ancient conflict, or that one conversation can prevent future violent acts like what happened in Boston this week. But I do believe that violent acts only invite more violence.
I believe that the only way to combat violence is through peaceful relationships that prioritize intentional interfaith literacy between friends. I have experienced that once friendships are formed between Muslims and Jews, Christians and LGBTQ individuals, the bond of friendship permits people to understand the other’s perspective. Friends join alongside one another to fight injustice and violence.
Traditions and Rituals of Yom Haatzma’ut:
Music
Dancing
Feasting at picnics or barbecues
Official ceremony held on Mount Herzl
Lighting twelve torches that signify the Tribes of Israel
Outdoor performances
International Bible Contest in Jerusalem
Israel Defense forces open some of its bases to the public
Israeli flags for decorations
Reading scripture
Reciting Hallel
Traditions and Rituals of Nakba:
Visiting sites of destroyed Palestinian villages
Speeches and rallies on the West Bank, Gaza, and Palestinian refugee camps
This blogpost series is called Holidays and Holy Days to inform our OSU community about significant religious and spiritual observances. If you know of a significant holiday or holy day coming up, please communicate the information to Hannah Pynn hannah.pynn@oregonstate.edu in the Dean of Student Life office.
April 13th, 2013 is the Sikh holiday of Vaisakhi.
Happy Vaisakhi!
Context
The celebration of Vaisakhi, also called Baisakhi, is the Sikh New Year harvest festival and commemorates the founding of the Sikh community. Baisakhi began as a harvest festival in the India region of Punjab but became a significant Sikh holiday in 1699. Sikh’s have a long history of standing up against tyranny and oppression against humankind, to defend the defenseless.
While celebrating the Vaisakhi harvest festival in 1699 Guru Gobind Singh Sahib, asked if five people would be willing to die for the sake of their religion, to defend humanity by becoming a Saint-Soldier. Guru Gobind Singh Sahib asked this question while holding a sword in his hand and five men stepped forward, expecting to give their lives on the spot. Guru Gobind Singh Sahid baptized these men and began the group of Khalsa.
The Sikh religion commemorates the first five men who comprised the Khalsa with five symbols called five Ks. The five Ks include the Kesh(uncut hair), the Kangha (comb), the Katchera (underwear), the Kara (steel ring), and the Kirpan (sword).
Happy Baisakhi!
Significance
Baisakhi is also celebrated by Hindus and Buddhists since the harvest festival began as a Punjab regional holiday and New Year. Hindus celebrate this New Year by bathing in the Ganges River for ritual baths that honor the Goddess Ganga who descended to earth thousands of years ago.
In Kerala, another region in India, the festival is called “Vishu” which means “equal” in Sanskrit and commemorates the vernal equinox. In Assam, another part of India, the festivalis called Bohag Bihu, where the first crops of the season are offered in hopes of peace and prosperity in the coming year.
Buddhists celebrate Vaisakha as a remembrance of the Awakening and Enlightened Passing Away of Buddha Bautama, who was born as the Indian Prince Siddharta.
Rituals/Traditions
Dancing the traditional Bhangra, a strenuous dance that tells the story of the agricultural process
Sikh devotees generally attend the Gurdwara (place of worship) before dawn with flowers and offerings
Published in the Oregon State University Daily Barometer 4/12/2013
Change the World Through Interfaith Relationships
By Hannah Pynn
Religiously diverse individuals getting along is not captivating news. Everyone loves drama and polarized religious opponents happily provide it: Christians scream LGBTQ hate on the quad, atheists write letters to the editor that trivialize all believers, and Socratic Club debates pit scientists and theologians against each other. Although these passionate actions can stimulate our thoughts about religious extremism, do they cultivate relationships across boundaries of difference?
Chris Stedman, the Assistant Humanist Chaplain at Harvard and author of Faitheist, came to OSU recently to lecture on the importance of interfaith relationships and about 30 people showed up. Tonight, 400+ people packed Milam for a Socratic Club debate to see theologians argue with each other. I asked Stedman why more people did not see interfaith relationships as an important cause and he replied, “Interfaith work is not sexy.”
Every major news source features international conflicts that have religious motivations, demonstrating that religious difference often fuels disagreement. Many of us sit in classes with international students from religious states or we have plans to study abroad in countries that have a different religious history than the US. As students today, we will be leaders in global decisions tomorrow. Religious literacy is greatly needed as we enter into the professional world. But is religious literacy enough?
What are we doing to better understand one another’s values, morals, and ethics? Religious rhetoric is a driving force in shaping decisions about marriage equality, gun control, and abortion in our own country. Don’t we need to understand the personal narratives and ethical motivations of our classmates and future business colleagues to fix problems in our world?
We need more interfaith relationships where I can ask my friend Fatemeh why she is motivated by her Muslim identity to blog about women’s rights. Interfaith relationships allow me understand the ethical motivations of my atheist friend Harrison who travels with Patch Adams to spread joy to sick kids. Creating relationships that discuss personal values and spiritual backgrounds binds me together with people who believe very different things from me. It’s more than religious literacy, it’s personal. Relationships help me understand my friends so that I can work alongside them toward social justice.
Diana Eck, founder of the Pluralism Project, says we are living in the most religiously diverse country in history. In this religiously diverse country that values religious freedom, our generation needs to be the leaders in interfaith relationships and understanding. The global problems of clean water, poverty, nuclear weapons, and sustainability are our responsibility. When we understand the importance of these problems through the lenses of our religiously diverse relationships, we can solve these crises better together. Common humanity can heal the world, not just be dramatic news.
After the Socratic Club debates or the yelling Christians in the quad, start conversations about how diverse religious communities can come together to work toward peace and understanding. Listen to others and share your story, you could be the start of an interfaith movement.
This blogpost series is called Holidays and Holy Days to inform our OSU community about significant religious and spiritual observances. If you know of a significant holiday or holy day coming up, please communicate the information to Hannah Pynn hannah.pynn@oregonstate.edu in the Dean of Student Life office.
March 31st, 2013 is the Christian and Catholic holiday of Easter.
Eastern Orthodox Christianity celebrates Easter on May 5th, 2013.
Happy Easter!
Context
The celebration of Easter is a time for Christians to remember the resurrection of Jesus, who Christians believe to be fully God and fully human. According to the New Testament in the Bible, Jesus was put to death and physically raised from the dead three days later. Christians believe this action to be the defining moment in history, that all time had pointed to this moment, and that Jesus’ defeat of death represents new life for all who believe in His divinity. Jesus self-identified as being the Son of the Abrahamic God and claimed that His death reconciled man’s division from God.
Easter is celebrated by western Christianity and Catholicism according to the lunisolar patterns on the Gregorian calendar. The moveable date for Easter was established in 325CE by the First Council of Nicaea to be on the first Sunday after the full moon following the March equinox. Eastern Orthodox Christian traditions are set according to the Julian calendar, which has a 13-day difference from the Gregorian calendar. The precise date of when Jesus rose from the dead is not conclusive by scholars, therefore Easter is celebrated as a moveable feast.
Significance
Easter is recognized by Christians as the most important Christian holiday. The 40 days leading up to Easter are observed as Lent, a solemn time of remembrance of Jesus’ sacrifice and love for all people. The week before Easter is called Holy Week that celebrates the last few events of Jesus’ life before He was unjustly killed and rose from the dead. Holy Week recognizes the events of Palm Sunday, Maundy Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday. Each of these days reflects events recorded in the Christian Bible about the plots to kill Jesus, Jesus’ anticipation and willingness to sacrifice Himself, His betrayal, the trial of Jesus, the torture of Jesus, the unjust killing of Jesus as a common criminal, and the burial of Jesus.
Because of historical connections to the lunisolar calendar, many Easter traditions are derived from Pagan traditions that celebrate the changes during the spring equinox. Eggs and rabbits are fertility symbols that Christians adopted from the Germanic pagan goddess of the dawn, Ēostre. However, many symbols of new life also remind Christians of the open relationship they can have with God as a result of Jesus taking on the punishment that they deserve.
Pope Francis
Rituals/Traditions
Attending midnight or sunrise church services
Symbols include: red or colored eggs, lilies, empty tombs, crosses, candles
Music, singing, and dancing to joyfully remember new life because of Jesus
Celebratory processionals
New clothes
Meals shared with family and friends
Lamb served as the main course representing Jesus as the sacrificed innocent lamb
This blogpost series is called Holidays and Holy Days to inform our OSU community about significant religious and spiritual observances. If you know of a significant holiday or holy day coming up, please communicate the information to Hannah Pynn hannah.pynn@oregonstate.edu in the Dean of Student Life office.
March 27th, 2013 is the first day of Holi, the Hindu Festival of Colors.
Context
Holi (pronounced HO-LEE) is the Hindu spring festival also called the “Festival of Colors” and is observed primarily in India and Nepal but is celebrated by Indians and Hindus worldwide. Holi is a time that celebrates the beginning of spring and commemorates the vibrant colors that come after winter. The highlight of Holi is when people throw colorful scented powder and perfumed water at each other. Depending on the geographical location, Holi is celebrated anywhere between 2-16 days.
Social boundaries of class, religion, gender, age, and caste are lowered during Holi and everyone enjoys an exciting and joyful atmosphere. The end of the festivities are marked by lighting bonfires to remember the mythological Hindu significance of the holiday. Although Holi has ties to Hindu mythology, it is generally regarded as the least religious festival and has developed as a seasonal holiday that prioritizes bridging social differences.
Happy Holi!
Significance
The celebration of Holi is recounted in Hindu sacred texts as a remembrance of several stories. The first is the miraculous story of Prahlada. Prahlada was the son of the king of the Demons, Hiranyakashipu, but Prahlada was a devoted follower of the Hindu god Lord Vishnu. Prahalada’s commitment to Vishnu angered Hiranyakashipu and he attempted to kill his son. In one attempt Prahlada was forced to sit in a fire with his sister Holika, but Holika burned to death and Prahlada survived and was unharmed.
The second story celebrated during Holi is the love play of the divine couple, Radha and Krishna. Radha’s mother suggested he smear any color he wanted on Krishna’s fair complexion to communicate his love for her in a playful manner. Today, young lovers communicate their affection to one another with the same lighthearted gesture during Holi.
The third mythological story of Holi is another deity love play of the Goddess Parvati who tries to win the heart of Lord Shiva. Parvati invoked the help of Kamadava, the Indian cupid-god, who shot a love-arrow on Shiva’s heart. Lord Shiva reacted to the love-arrow by opening his third eye in anger and incinerated Kamadeva. Upon realizing his mistake, Lord Shiva granted Kamadeva immortality for the sake of his sacrifice in dying for love. Today, Holi traditions acknowledge this story by offering sandalwood paste and mango blossoms to Kamadeva to soothe his burns.
Rituals/Traditions
Throwing colored powder and water at everyone
Water balloons or water guns full of scented or colored powder
At the same time we were planning for our collecting of culinary herbs and spices, we accepted the Center for Civic Engagement’s challenge to 
