Pieces from the Henry-Copeland Permanent Art Collection can be viewed on the third floor of the Union, near the Aquarium Lounge.

As students return to campus, so too do prized pieces of art to the walls of the Carolina Union. Previously placed in storage or otherwise scattered throughout the building, more than 30 works from the Henry-Copeland Permanent Art Collection are now proudly displayed on the third floor of the Union. Begun in 1998, the Union’s art collection is now more than twenty years old and has expanded to include photography, sculpture, and paintings from across the state and the country, featuring many local artists.

Carolina Union Board of Directors member and UNC junior Kierra Pittman said that the theme of the new art collection was identity, something she saw reflected in her favorite pieces in the collection. Jane Filer’s 2011 work Tropical Tea evoked visits to the Caribbean islands, for example, while Saul Flores’ photographs of his 2010 Walk of the Immigrants provides an intimate look into Latin American culture and the immigrant journey.

“When we were first presented with the pieces from the collection, we knew we wanted to find pieces that spoke to students.” Pittman said.

Pittman said that much of the art had been scattered throughout the Union building, oftentimes hidden or unacknowledged by students. By installing these pieces in one coherent space, Pittman hopes that students will be able to appreciate and enjoy the impressive art the Union has in its collection.

Works by local artists line the walls of this installation, including When the Saints Go Marching In by Raleigh artist Eric McRay, and Midday in the Pit by Chapel Hill artist Brenda Behr. An untitled work by the Bynum, NC, outsider artist Clyde Jones depicts a few of his famous “critters,” animal sculptures made from wood that Jones gave to the Union in 2006.

Another piece, Cornelio Campos’ Realidad Norteña, depicts Campos’ own emotions and experiences relating to his emigration from Mexico to the United States. This piece was previously located in the Campus Y before its display in the Carolina Union. “We thought this piece should be seen,” said Pittman, “so we acquired it.”    

Photographs of student life by former University photographer Dan Sears speak further to the collection’s theme of identity, representing Carolina students within the installation.

“The mission of the Carolina Union Board of Directors is to create better places for students,”  said Pittman. “We wanted to get these pieces out of storage so they could be seen and enjoyed by students.”

Students met with former US Attorney General Loretta Lynch during 2018 UNC MLK Week of Celebration events.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebrations at UNC will offer students opportunities to engage with other students, explore issues of social justice, and “rise above” differences to find meaningful connections throughout the community.

Headlined by former NAACP CEO and President Ben Jealous who will deliver an address at Memorial Hall to conclude a week of celebration and service, the MLK Celebration Steering Committee has put together a program of events to honor the memory and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.

Sophia McFarlane, Student Coordinator of Diversity Education and MLK Celebration, expresses that “the whole week is designated to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, his legacy, and his passion for service and community-building. All of the events our committee has planned will play into these ideas and focus on bridge-building and service.” Sophia is a senior, majoring in chemistry with a minor in social and economic justice and health and society, from Concord, NC.

Since late September, the students onboard the MLK Celebration Steering Committee have been hard at work to organize the week of events. The MLK Celebration Steering committee is a group of on-campus leaders that represent various interests and organizations across UNC and they come together to craft the intersection of MLK Jr.’s vision at the UNC community. The organizations represented this year through the committee are: Diversity and Inclusion, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., Black Student Movement, Campus Y, Carolina Indian Circle, Student Government – MADO, CUAB, Carolina Women’s Center, Mi Pueblo, NAACP, NC Hillel, NPHC, and Student Life and Leadership.

Each group has provided valuable input into the planning process. “My goal throughout the week of events is that we can assist student groups to be heard not just feel heard,” says Serena Singh, a MLK Celebration Steering Committee member. Serena is a junior, majoring in  political science with a minor in entrepreneurship, from Fayetteville, NC.

This year’s theme for the week of celebrations is “Rise Above,” inspired by MLK’s quote, “We are challenged to rise above the narrow confines of our individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.” Ultimately, the goal is to foster a community based message that aligns with MLK Jr.’s vision.

The week of events for the Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration kicks-off on Sunday, January 20th and continues through Thursday, January 24th.

The week begins with the 34th annual University/Community Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Banquet and Award Presentation, hosted by the MLK Jr. Corporation, in partnership with UNC’s Office for Diversity & Inclusion. At the banquet, the MLK Unsung Hero Awards are annually awarded to two UNC staff/faculty, department or community/corporate entity who have have made significant contributions to social justice, equity, and diversity, and have made a positive difference in the lives of others at Carolina.The banquet is a closed event and is held on Sunday, January 20th at the Friday Center from 6 to 9 pm.

The following day, Monday, January 21st, kickstarts the MLK Service Social Media Campaign. To instill in students the passion for service, the committee has devised a week-long initiative rather than a day-long initiative. Students are encouraged to utilize #UNCMLK whenever they do an act of service and post it to their social media. Three winners will be randomly chosen and the reward will be an incentive that ties back to service to instill the idea that service extends beyond one day or MLK day, rather it is an intrinsic part of Martin Luther King Jr.’s message. The MLK Service Social Media Competition continues up until Thursday, January 24th - which is the last day of the Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration.

On Tuesday, the 2nd Annual Unity Dinner will be held with over 20 on-campus student organizations in attendance. The Unity Dinner provides an opportunity for student leaders across UNC’s campus to come together and create solidarity. The event is an invite-only event and will take place in the Great Hall from 6 to 8 pm. If you would like to attend the Unity Dinner and did not receive an invitation through an on-campus organization, you have the opportunity to ask organizers at the event whether or not seats are available.

Wednesday, January 23rd, is the day of the Pit Photo Campaign called “Rise Above.” Various cultural and performance groups will be performing in The Pit and students are encouraged to take photos with whiteboards that are labeled with “I Rise Above Because…” Some of the groups performing in The Pit will be: EROT, Unheard Voices, Harmonyx, and Bhangra Elite.

To end off the week, the 38th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Keynote Lecture and Awards Ceremony will take place and will feature Ben Jealous, former president and CEO of the NAACP, as the keynote speaker. Additionally, awards will be given out for the UNC MLK Student Scholarship and Unsung Heroes awards. The event will take place in Memorial Hall at 7pm and is free to attend; however, tickets are required. Tickets will be available at the Carolina Performing Arts/Memorial Hall Box Office or online.

With all of the events being held in honor of the Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration, the same mission holds true: community-building. “There are so many interests and groups represented through the committee that are coming together to build one cohesive vision, and I feel as if that is reminiscent of MLK Jr.’s dream” says McFarlane.

Download a schedule of schedule of events: MLK Week Schedule.pdf

The Carolina Union is now accepting applications for the Chair of the Board of Directors. The application period will run through January 30th.

A successful candidate for the Chair of the Board will be an engaging and self-driven individual with a high-level commitment and passion to achieve ambitious goals that will affect the entire University. Students with leadership skills and the desire to share the present and future of the Carolina Union are encouraged to apply.

Please download the application to learn more about the position. Note that applications are due in the Union Administration Suite (Room 3105) by January 30 at 3:00pm and are to be printed and submitted in person.

2019-2020 BoD Chair Application Final.pdf

Note: The Carolina Union is marking its 50th anniversary this academic year. Please join us from 11am-3pm on January 9th, 2019, in the Union for a day of celebration, and follow us across social media platforms (@CarolinaUnion) for updates on events throughout the year.

For generations of UNC students, one shared rite of passage comes from filing nervously into the Carolina Union's Auditorium on the first day of orientation, surrounded by hundreds of new faces as the exciting prospect of those first days in Chapel Hill draws near. That auditorium will be undergoing a major renovation this semester, giving next year's crop of new students a fresh space welcoming them to Carolina.Since its opening in the early 1980s, the Auditorium has not had major site improvements or renovation work. Carolina Union leaders see this project as an opportunity to create a state-of-the-art venue that will serve the many needs of the UNC community. “This is one of the highest volume venues on campus and it’s a space that can transform someone's Carolina experience," said Jordan Bermudez, a senior from Durham and Chair of the Carolina Union Board of Directors. "So it is critical that we make it the most innovative space possible. We aren't just building it for people who are here now or next year, we are building it for people who will be here in 10 or 20 years.”
An improved sound system, theatrical and stage lighting, as well as a resurfaced stage will make the space more amenable to live performances. "The AV systems and lighting are designed to be self-serve for clients using the space, so that will help them save money rather than having to hire a professional to orchestrate sound or lights," said Joe Singer, Director of Event Services for the Carolina Union. Acoustical panels will also be added to the walls and ceilings, further enhancing sound within the venue.  Another change will be a modular seating arrangements to accommodate a multitude of uses. Seats can be removed from the front of the auditorium to open up performance space, for example, or added to raise capacity. The Auditorium's new capacity will range from 293 to 397 people, depending on seating arrangement. Renovations will also meet current ADA code, with ramps added to improve access for all visitors.

The stage will also get a facelift that includes the addition of side screens with sharp laser projection to enhance presentations and lectures. Finally, LED lighting along the walls will offer programmable colors so that organizations can modify lighting to match their organization's colors.
The Auditorium will be closed during the spring semester while the work takes place. Expected completion for the project is in July, in time to re-open for summer 2019 orientation sessions and that start of the 2019-20 academic year.

Meet Carolina Union Board of Director’s Student Member-at-Large Richard Hall, Jr., a senior Sports Administration major and Social and Economic Justice minor from Fayetteville, NC. Hall has a lengthy resumé of involvement on campus and with the Carolina Union including as a Union student employee and member of the Activities Board street team.

As he assumes this important leadership role, Hall wants to be a voice for collaboration and inclusivity across campus groups. Hall recently sat for an interview to discuss his vision for the Union and student life at UNC:

For those who might not know, what are the specifics of your role as Student Body Member-at-Large?
Some of the specifics of my role serving as a voice for the entire student body include sitting on the board, participating in some of the Union’s long-range planning, and participating in some of the different committees that the Union has. I’m not on the Board of Directors so I have yet to actually serve on one of the committees but I’m excited about getting to work and just leaving an impact as a senior.

Why did you apply to be a Student Member-at-Large?
My involvement with the Union has spanned back to my first year at UNC. My first year I served on the street team for CUAB, then my sophomore year I transferred to the leadership programs coordinator role in Student Life and Leadership, then I was a Guest Services Associate at the welcome desk. Now as a senior I felt like taking all those experiences and perspectives and I felt like being on the board was a logical next step for me to be able to impact the campus. I feel like I’m pretty well-known and a lot of people can confide in me. I hear a lot of different issues being brought up on campus that students don’t necessarily have the platform to be able to express. I feel like as a student member at large, that would give me a platform to be able to take student issues from students to a place where things can actually be done. That’s really why I wanted to apply, and I also felt that as a student that uses the Union services and as an employee, my perspective will be that much greater.

What is the most exciting aspect of your term so far?
My term so far has been relatively short, I’ve attended one meeting so far and that was one of the most intense meetings I’ve ever been a part of. I was very intrigued to see how the Union director, who operates with the CUAB president, who operates with the speaker for the undergraduate senate, who operates with OFSL, just seeing how all of these different roles kind of collaborate together on the board to create the vision for what the Union can offer, both now and the future and legacy of the Union. First meeting, I just kind of took time to sit back and observe, get a feel for the room, and how my role could fit in. I definitely took some notes and I feel like I’m ready to get into action.

What kinds of goals do you have for the Union this year as a Student Member-at-Large?
I would just say to truly champion for inclusivity across campus and across student groups, bring more collaboration amongst student groups. There are a lot of times where we have student groups fighting for certain issues, fighting for similar issues, and if there was a collaboration they could provide that much louder of a voice. One of goals would definitely be to encourage and help facilitate some of that collaboration across student groups.

The Union has been referred to as “the living room of campus.” Why do you think that title fits?
I think that title fits because literally anything that you can do in your living room, you can do in the Union, whether it’s watching TV, getting something to eat, chatting with friends, getting homework done, taking a nap, dancing, these are all things that take place in the Union and I feel like the title of “living room” is natural for it.

There has been a lot of controversy on campus this year. What do you believe the Union’s role should be in facilitating these discussions and providing student support?
I believe the Union should take a primary role in facilitating these discussions. With there being so much controversy on campus, I feel like there’s a lot to be said and there’s a lot to also be heard as well. It’s bringing in students from all different perspectives and facilitating that conversation to where it’s not just “you hear me,” or “you don’t hear me,” it’s like we hear each other. I can take my beliefs and your beliefs and reach a common ground that’s beneficial not only for one set of particular students but something that’s beneficial for all students, because the Union is a hub for all students. Just making sure that the Union takes charge of facilitating and providing that space and opportunity for student voices to be heard.

In what ways can the Union offer support to students who might need it in the midst of these issues?
I feel like the Union offers its support primarily through the people. The people, in my opinion, are what makes the Union. Literally I can’t tell you how many days I’ve walked into the Union and just seen a smiling face sitting at the desk, or talked to one of my supervisors and how much just talking to them has helped ease my mind. Just this morning I went to go get breakfast with Dr. Shauna Harris from Student Life and Leadership and just being able to talk to people; people that want to listen, people who have the capacity to take what’s being said and actually do something about it, even if it’s from Crystal King to the person sitting at the welcome desk, these are the people that make the Union what it is. Offering that support, offering that listening ear, it’s pertinent, and I feel that that is the best way that the Union can support not only the students, but also its mission of being that “living room,” that inclusive hub on campus where all students can be heard.

What is the most important accomplishment you hope to achieve this year?
It being the 50th year of the Carolina Union, I just want to make sure that we’re celebrating the Union’s history. In addition to celebrating its history, kinda helping to focus and cement its legacy over the years; being able to look back after 100 years and being able to say “wow, 50 years ago they were doing this,” it’s wild. Look how far we’ve come, look how far we have yet to go. I’d love to see how we’re gonna get there. I really just want to be able to help in whatever way I can to make this 50th year a great one.

What is a Carolina experience you will always remember?
A Carolina memory I will always remember would have to be performing with the a capella group I’m a part of, Harmonix. We got the opportunity to sing at Late Night With Roy my freshman year and that was one of the most nerve-wracking yet exciting experiences. We were up there singing “Hotline Bling” by Drake with Kennedy Meeks by my side, in front of 20,000 screaming fans. It was an experience that I will probably remember for the rest of my life. That was… just seeing my face up there on the Jumbotron, like wow that’s really me and I mean, in the moment, I was just singing a song, but in hindsight I’m just a kid from Fayetteville and there’s not a lot of opportunities for black males coming out of Fayetteville. Being able to realize that I’m being afforded this opportunity to make it from where I’m from to where I’m at right now, it was amazing. I still think about it, and I just thank God, you know? This was an experience that I had in my freshman year, my first year, and the possibilities are endless, I’ve had this question of how much more I can accomplish while I’m here? I think that’s reflective of all that I’m involved in. How many more experiences like this can I have while I’m still here?

What are some activities around campus that you’re involved in?
I work in the university office for Diversity and Inclusion as a campus visitation coordinator, coordinating tours for underprivileged families all across the United States. Coming to UNC and being able to provide that kind of access, the work being done in that office is some of the best work I’ve been a part of at UNC. I’d also like to shout out some experiences that I’ve had at UNC. “Leadershape” in Student Life and Leadership definitely elevated my leadership capacity to be able to do all the things that I’m doing and serve as a student member at large, helping not only the groups that I’m affiliated with but also the entire student body. I’ve learned how to listen for those different perspectives, even if they may be different than my own, and learn how to reflect on and use those to my advantage. It’s something that I feel like is not a super common experience at UNC but I’m really thankful to “Leadershape” for that opportunity. I’m in a fraternity, the mighty Mu Zeta chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. We have a step show coming up and it’s gonna be really exciting, everyone should show out for what’s gonna be a really exciting show. I know the groups that are performing have been putting in countless hours and I feel like that deserves a little publicity.

The Muslim Student Association has an important place on UNC’s campus as it fosters a space for the UNC Muslim student body where they feel included, welcomed, and free to practice. It also serves a place for the rest of the student body to learn more about the Muslim-American identity.

Rawan Ajeen, Vice President of MSA, views the major goal of the MSA as serving the Muslim student body and addressing any potential concerns, such as more inclusive dining options. As a voice for a minority group, the MSA aims to advocate for the Muslim student body and ensure it is not overlooked.

“Without the presence of the MSA, many students will feel as if they don’t have a space on campus,” Ajeen said. The MSA hopes to provide a voice for Muslim students at UNC and make certain that their needs are met and a strong sense of belonging and community is present.

In addition to advocacy, the MSA strives to educate. “We want students to learn that we, as Muslim students, are just like any other student on UNC’s campus. The only potential difference might be that we just pray five times a day and fast throughout the year,” Ajeen said.

Ajeen emphasized that the MSA and its events are open and welcome to all students, regardless of cultural, ethnic, or religious background. Since the MSA makes great efforts to educate students and community members, it is vital that the organization and its hosted events are open and accessible to everyone.

MSA hosts several events throughout the year that celebrate and educate. They include:

Sportsfest (during MLK weekend)
MSA Live
It has only been three weeks since the UNC Muslim Student Association held their popular event, MSA Live. Just like the past three years, the event was sold out as many people appreciate the social justice theme present with the event. The goal of the event, according to Ajeen, is to “have the audience leaving the event feeling motivated and believing they have a voice in activism - as we try to portray activism as more inclusive.” The success of the event highlights the important contributions MSA offers to the UNC community.

MSA Live features speakers that come from backgrounds and experiences that are uncommon on UNC’s campus. Most of the speakers come from identities that are marginalized and come from all different types of Muslim backgrounds so the MSA can further cater to the general body members of the MSA and portray to them that activism has no borders.

Students who want to get involved with MSA can join a general body meeting, held every Wednesday at 6:30pm in Room 3408 of the Carolina Union.

Note: Student Org Spotlights are a recurring series on the Carolina Union website that showcase UNC student organizations. If you would like your student organization to be considered for the Spotlight series, please email [email protected] with the subject line “Student Org Spotlight Request”.

Anna Bradsher is a senior at UNC currently pursuing a Graphic Design degree through the School of Media and Journalism. Now in her second year as a Design Assistant for the Communications and Creative Services (CCS) office, Anna also serves as student supervisor. This experience is paving the way for a career at a branding agency, which she hopes to pursue after graduation. Learn more about all the great work she does for the Union below!

What do your jobs (design assistant and CCS student supervisor) entail?
As a design assistant, I’m tasked with all sorts of projects - everything from posters, t-shirts, banners, logos, and TV ads. I work with the full-time staff and part-time student staff to fulfill those products for our clients - which are student organizations and departments within the Carolina Union. 

For my student supervisor role, I make sure things are communicated clearly with students and I sit-in on meetings and interviews. Essentially, I serve as the liaison for the student staff and the full-time staff. I serve as the voice of students in full-time meetings and interviews for staff. For example, I recently participated in an interview for a full-time graphic designer.

What have you learned?Definitely a lot of collaboration skills. I think before I came in, I took criticism negatively and was not able to adapt to it. However, working in this environment has really opened my eyes to different perspectives and taught me how to properly work with other people. It has also made me more aware that not everyone sees the same things as you - so it’s been amazing being able to collaborate with both full-time and student staff.

I’ve also gained a lot of design and leadership experience from my positions. The fact that I am able to sit-in on interviews is incredibly valuable since I get to see the whole process for my future interviews and listen to potential interview questions. 

Additionally, a good third of my portfolio will probably be from my design assistant position. Within CCS, so many of our projects actually get printed and distributed - so it is really cool to be able to walk outside and see a banner you designed or see someone wearing a t-shirt you designed. 

How is your job preparing you for your future career?
Mainly, working in a collaborative environment. A lot of design jobs are in more of an agency setting, so learning how to work with people around you, people higher up than you, as well as clients is incredibly helpful. 

Hopefully, my future career will be working within a branding agency - which they specialize in identities for brands, such as logos. 

What’s your favorite thing about working in the Union?Definitely the people. I have met a lot of really great friends within the CCS department. Getting to see like-minded people everyday is really cool. I enjoy being able to observe their work processes and listen to the ideas that they have because it is inspiring and influential with my own work. Also, the mentorship of the full-time staff is something I really value. 

Where is your favorite place in the Union?
The CCS office! It is always bright and sunny and full of happy people! We have plants down here and we occasionally have baked goods as well - it’s a great place!Tell us a fun fact about yourself:My current hobby is bread-making. My current obsession is perfecting a bagel recipe - so that’s what I spend most of my free time doing, baking bread!

 

Note: Interested in applying to work at the Union? You can find an overview of the careers offered at https://carolinaunion.unc.edu/get-involved/employment/job-opportunities.
 

Fall weather is in the air, and ghosts and goblins will begin to emerge as the calendar turns to late October. UNC students have a longstanding tradition of celebrating Halloween, and the offices of Fraternity & Sorority Life and Student Life & Leadership are helping students avoid cultural appropriation or parody as they start putting costumes together. We Are A Culture, Not A Costume will be held on October 25th from 1pm-3pm in the Carolina Union's West Lounge. The Halloween-themed event will feature information and discussion about cultural appropriation to help students as they consider costume ideas. 
"Halloween is a fun time when people of all ages can exhibit their creativity and be whoever they want for the day or night," said Berengére Phillips, Assistant Director of Fraternity & Sorority Life. "However, it can also be a time when cultural appropriation reaches a heightened level and insensitivity toward various identities increases."We Are A Culture, Not A Costume is based on a national campaign that started at Ohio University and has grown to other campuses to help educate college communities, according to Sierra Edwards, a senior Psychology major from Winston-Salem, and student organizer of the event.
"This event has significance to me because the campaign unites many universities to stand against this issue and allows for students to become more culturally competent," Edwards said. 
Edwards explained that appropriation may happen unintentionally, but that makes it no less hurtful to others. "Many people are unaware they are misrepresenting a culture because the education on the significance of different people groups are not addressed, Edwards said. "Instead, society has desensitized to this topic which leaves room for racism and a subconscious mindset to perceive one's culture superior. As we are reaching Halloween and all the festivities that happen on Franklin Street, I would hope students can become more conscious of what costumes they are choosing."
Participants will be encouraged to write down thoughts on white boards about cultural appropriation -- where they have seen or experienced it and how it impacts them -- as a way to spark conversation about the topic, and to help people understand how their costume choice might impact others.
"The purpose of the event is to educate students, faculty, and staff about cultural appropriation and to increase awareness as it applies to Halloween costumes," Phillips said. "We are one big Carolina community comprised of an array of cultures that are to be appreciated and celebrated, rather than disrespected and appropriated during not only this Halloween season, but year-round."

Kelly Schulte is a senior psychology major from Youngsville, North Carolina. She is a student supervisor in the housekeeping department at the Carolina Union. Her job consists of taking care of the trash, cleaning the restrooms, wiping down glass, and wiping up the occasional spill. As a student supervisor, she schedules meetings and coordinates with other departments. Learn more about her below!

How did you get your job?
I am a work study student, so I went on JobX and applied through the JobX system.

What have you learned?
I think this job definitely builds character. I know I don’t have the most glamorous job but I think it’s definitely made me more aware of my everyday actions. For example, I’m very conscious not to put my fingerprints on glass doors.  

How is your job preparing you for the next step in your career?
I want to become a high school counselor, and I think it’s helped me develop important skills like patience, being able to coordinate tasks, flexibility, stuff like that.

What do you like about working at the Union?
I really enjoy this space, especially the upstairs lounge areas. They’re really nice. I especially enjoy the people I work with and I’m glad I’m able to help out with the full-time staff, since a lot of a student housekeeping role is to be able to alleviate some of the pressure that they have with their jobs.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself!
It may not look like it, but I really enjoy weightlifting. I’ve been doing it for about two and a half years now and it’s really helped boost my self-confidence. I really just enjoy feeling fit and getting stronger.

Interested in applying to work at the Union? You can find an overview of the careers offered at https://carolinaunion.unc.edu/get-involved/employment/job-opportunities.