Story by Juli Keown
Photos Courtesy of Weaving New Beginnings
This Thursday at 6pm music will fill the air outside of the EMU Ballroom as faculty, staff, and students gather in red, white, and black attire. These colors represent “solidarity so all our organizations can come together campus-wide,” says Jason Rodriquez, Director of Diversity Education and Support. Together everyone will “enjoy friendly conversation and refreshments” at this year’s Weaving New Beginnings.
The event had its debut in 1994 with the Office of Multicultural Affairs. It is now organized annually by the ASUO and includes the Woman’s Center, the Black Student Union, MEChA, and LBGTQA. It allows students to “see their resources if they haven’t already,” says Alexis White, ASUO Multicultural Advocate.
Weaving New Beginnings is meant to bring faculty, staff, and student groups together in order to promote networking and help build support.
“[Weaving New Beginnings] is a really good event for students, faculty, and staff so they can know that they are there for each other,” White says. “They can recognize that there is a community even if it’s a small community.”
This year’s theme for the event is “Honoring Our Legacy: Building Bridges to the Future.” University of Oregon President Richard Lariviere will welcome everyone to the 16^th annual reception as the keynote speaker.
“There will also be three other speakers who are women whose mothers have been really influential in the Eugene and University community,” White says. “They fought for social justice and recently passed away.”
By featuring these three women, White says event coordinators hope to honor their contributions to the community.
“This year’s event is about remembering them and continuing their work,” she says. “We’re honoring our legacy.”

Gallery • 1 Photos

Celebrating Solidarity