Dr. Edwin Coleman (left) plays his bass for Student Activities Director Gregg Lobisser and his wife, Family Housing Director Lorraine Vijayakar (right) at Weavings.
The sweet sounds of mellow jazz drifted from the EMU Ballroom on Thursday night during the 8th Annual Weaving New Beginnings Reception.
The goal of the event was to bring together students and faculty of color and start new relationships with a theme of “the beauty of jazz.”
“We have an opportunity to write new stories tonight,” Office of Multicultural Affairs Director Carla Gary said.
The Ballroom glowed a shade of fuschia, and floating candles graced black cloth-covered tables as The Ed Coleman Trio — led by University Professor Emeritus Edwin Coleman — kept the mood lively with a mix of slow and upbeat tunes.
Diana Aguilar, a public relations coordinator for the event, said while only 13 percent of University students are of color, those students are actively involved on campus.
“Those 13 percent make themselves stand out.,” she said.
ASUO President Rachel Pilliod said “Weavings” showcases the best of the University.
“It only adds to the sense of community we have on campus,” Pilliod said.
Attendees were given booklets to write down their new friends’ phone numbers. The booklets contained criteria such as finding someone who was “born and raised in Eugene,” “watched Fantasy Island or Love Boat religiously” or “rooted for the Raiders during the Super Bowl.”
“It’s a contact book — so that the relationship doesn’t end here,” co-emcee Jason Cummings said.
University President Dave Frohnmayer spoke about changing the image of the United States as being a melting pot.
“That isn’t what this country is about,” he said.
Frohnmayer said the University is progressing in its goal of attracting more students and faculty of color.
“Diversity is not only one of our goals,” he said. “(It) adds richness to us all.”
Gary said international students and faculty are becoming a stronger piece of the University fabric.
“It doesn’t matter where you are,” she said. “You can make the space your own.”
Some people, such as Coleman and Employee Relations Manager for Human Resources Alana Holmes, said the University has a way to go in order to be considered diverse.
“Events like these are really important to show support for building diversity,” Holmes said. “I would hope the University would take these kinds of opportunities in showing support … by hiring a quality faculty of color. We have room for improvement.”
The event was sponsored by The President’s Fund, Enrollment Services, the Office of Student Affairs, the Office of Multicultural Affairs, the Multicultural Center, University Housing and the ASUO.
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