AUGUST 2023
‘May 1970: The Gibbs-Green Tragedy at Jackson State College’
Aug. 4-Sept. 29 | Paul R. Jones Museum, 2308 Sixth Street, Tuscaloosa
Reception: Sept. 1 from 5 p.m.-8 p.m. during downtown Tuscaloosa’s Friday Art Walk
“May 1970: The Gibbs-Green Tragedy at Jackson State College” is a documentary exhibition of photographs taken by civil rights activist Doris Derby in the days and weeks immediately following the killing of Phillip Gibbs and James Earl Green during police shootings on Jackson State campus on the night of May 14, 1970. The exhibition is organized and sponsored by the Margaret Walker Center at Jackson State University in Jackson, Mississippi, with support from the Gibbs-Green Commemoration Commission, the Mississippi Humanities Council, and the Jackson State University Department of Art.
Derby (1939-2022) was a documentary photographer who served as a field secretary for the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee from 1963 to 1972, working with multiple grassroots organizations in the Jackson, Mississippi, area. From 1968, she also worked on the staff of the Institute for the Study of the History, Life, and Culture of Black People, founded by the writer and scholar Margaret Walker at then Jackson State College. After the attack on the women’s dorm at Jackson State by the police and the killings of Gibbs and Green, Derby began photographing the related events and people to document as much as possible of what was happening. From more than 400 negatives, she selected 60 images for the exhibition first shown at Jackson State in 2021.
Derby, who earned a bachelor’s degree from Hunter College and a PhD from the University of Illinois, taught anthropology at Georgia State University and was the founding and longtime director of the African American Student Services and Programs at GSU. Derby was the recipient of several awards including the Georgia Humanities Award in 2011 and the For My People Award from the Margaret Walker Center in 2021. Her photographs have been exhibited in the United States and the United Kingdom.
Safe Zone Ally Training Program
Tuesday, Aug. 8 | 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. | Zoom
(Educational Engagement/Cultural Exploration)
*Open to UA students, faculty and staff
The UA Safe Zone Ally Training Program provides a visible network of allies for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, and asexual (LGBTQIA+) individuals. Safe Zone Allies distribute information regarding sexuality, gender identity, campus and community resources, and methods for reporting harassment and/or discrimination. The Safe Zone Ally Training Program is a two-hour training session that allows participants to: develop a working knowledge of appropriate and respectful LGBTQIA+ terminology; recognize the impact that campus climate has on individuals who identify as LGBTQIA+; and identify areas of personal growth as a member of the UA community. Following the training program, participants are invited to sign-up to serve as UA Safe Zone Allies.
Participants can register at: https://tinyurl.com/SZAlly24. For more information, contact the Safe Zone Resource Center at 205-348-7297 or safezone@ua.edu.
BRIDGE Experience
Aug. 13-18
UA Campus
(For first-year BRIDGE students only)
BRIDGE is a community of undergraduate men of color at The University of Alabama. With hundreds of members, BRIDGE is designed to empower students to leverage campus resources for their success and cultivate a community of men who support each other as students and friends. The BRIDGE experience begins with a weeklong kickoff event for first-year students led by a group of upper-level student leaders called the BRIDGE Builders.
After the kickoff event, first-year BRIDGE students, along with upper-level BRIDGE students, engage in weekly study hall sessions, participate in BRIDGE-specific academic support, engage in campus leadership programs, leverage UA resources, participate in social events, travel to industry for industry site visits and participate in community service events.
If you are a current UA student who did not attend the kickoff your first year, email bridgeprogram@ua.edu for more information on how to join the BRIDGE community.
New Faculty Resource Fair
Tuesday, Aug. 22 | 1 p.m.-2 p.m. | Bryant Conference Center, Sellers Auditorium
The New Faculty Resource Fair is an opportunity for faculty who are new to The University of Alabama to visit with programs and discover resources from across campus. More than 50 campus programs will be in attendance to welcome new faculty. This event is part of the New Faculty Orientation, which provides new faculty an opportunity to build inclusive communities among colleagues; orient faculty to the campus and UA history; and assist faculty in finding resources and ongoing support. Register for New Faculty Orientation by Monday, Aug. 14.
Intercultural Diversity Center Open House
Wednesday, Aug. 23 | noon-2 p.m. | 2100 Student Center
(Cultural Exploration/Social Enrichment)
*Open to UA students, faculty and staff
The Intercultural Diversity Center will host an open house to provide a space to build community with food, music and resources. Attendees are invited to learn about upcoming Diversity, Equity and Inclusion semester programs with the Intercultural Diversity Center staff. For more information, contact the Intercultural Diversity Center at ua_idc@ua.edu.
Multi-Cultural Coffee Hour
Friday, Aug. 25 | 11:30 a.m.- 1 p.m. | Intercultural Diversity Center, 2100 Student Center
(Cultural Exploration/Educational Engagement/Social Enrichment)
*Open to UA students, faculty and staff, UA System
International Student and Scholar Services and the Intercultural Diversity Center will host weekly coffee hours for students, faculty and staff to enjoy free coffee, tea, snacks and conversation with others from around the world. For more information, contact International Student and Scholar Services’ Sonya Harwood-Johnson at sonya.harwood@ua.edu.
Through the Doors Freshman Pinning Ceremony
Saturday, Aug. 26 | 2 p.m. | Student Center Ballroom
The UA Black Alumni Association, UA Black Faculty and Staff Association, and the Office of Student Life will host this annual event that serves as a connection point and means of honoring trailblazers Vivian Malone Jones, Dr. James Hood, Dr. Autherine Lucy Foster and Pollie Anne Myers-Pinkins, the first Black students to attend UA. Students and their families are invited and all attendees are asked to RSVP https://tinyurl.com/2023PinningCeremony. For more information, contact the Association at UABlackAlumniAssociation@outlook.com.
Study Abroad Pop-Up Advising
Tuesday, Aug. 29 | 1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. | Intercultural Diversity Center, 2100 Student Center
(Cultural Exploration/Educational Engagement)
*Open to UA students
Capstone International Center will host weekly information sessions on studying abroad to provide advising on the overall process and timeline for studying abroad. The sessions seek to dispel myths about Education Abroad and program searching. This weekly event takes place every Tuesday from 1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. in the IDC. For more information, contact the Study Abroad office at studyabroad@ua.edu.
WGRC’s 30th Birthday Open House
Tuesday, Aug. 29 | 3 p.m.-5 p.m. | Women and Gender Resource Center
Join the Women and Gender Resource Center for a celebration of its 30th birthday. The Center, which was created as a result of student activism in 1993, will have an open-house style party so that new and old friends can learn about WGRC history, services and programs. There will, of course, be cake.
Lunch and Learn: Supporting LGBTQIA+ Students
Wednesday, Aug. 30 | noon-1 p.m. | 2408 Student Center
(Educational Engagement/Cultural Exploration)
*Open to UA students, faculty and staff
The Safe Zone Resource Center will host a lecture and discussion about the basics of understanding various LGBTQIA+ identities. In this session, participants will learn about LGBTQIA+ identities so that they can better understand and work with those in the LGBTQIA+ community. Catered lunch will be provided. For more information, contact the Safe Zone Resource Center at safezone@ua.edu.
Game Night
Thursday, Aug. 31 | 5 p.m.-7 p.m. | Safe Zone Student Lounge, 2418 Student Center
(Social Enrichment)
*Open to UA students
As part of the Weeks of Welcome, the Safe Zone Resource Center will host a game night for students to learn about the Center and build a sense of community with fellow students. In this program, participants will learn about the resources available in the Safe Zone Resource Center. A selection of board and video games will be available, and refreshments will be provided. For more information, contact the Safe Zone Resource Center at 205-348-7297 or safezone@ua.edu.