As the United Minority Council -- the student government umbrella organization for minority student groups across campus -- embarks on a new year, many of the issues that it attempted to deal with last spring still need some closure.
In response to a January incident,when then-College senior Dimitri Dube was stopped while walking home by Penn Police officers and alleged that the incident was partly due to his race, one of UMC's primary goals this year is to enact various civilian review boards to look at the internal procedure of Penn Police, according to Political Action Chairman Shaun Gonzales.
Last Spring, the UMC corresponded with Police Chief Thomas Rambo and Vice President for Public Safety Maureen Rush, but was unable to reach a resolution with the administration over the institution of a Civilian Review Board.
Because initial talks began relatively late in the semester, Gonzales said, it was difficult to get results.
"We're not trying to punish the police department," the College senior said. "We're just trying to work out the kinks in the system."
In addition, the body hopes to continue its work in ensuring the viability of the once-faltering South Asian Regional Studies Department.
Last year, the department had been teetering on the edge of nonexistence. But, after some revival efforts by the UMC as well as other groups, School of Arts and Sciences Dean Samuel Preston announced in March that the department would be maintained with a redefined focus and several additional faculty positions.
"We are doing our part to ensure that there will always be a SARS department," Gonzales said.
The UMC will embark on a brand new year by putting the needs of its constituent members at the top of its agenda as well.
According to Gonzales, the group hopes to follow up on its efforts last year to consolidate the goals of its fifteen minority organizations. Representatives had met with University President Judith Rodin late last semester in order to discuss the importance of a consolidated center for minority activity on campus.
UMC Chairman Papa Wassa Nduom, a College junior, said the body's primary commitment so far has been in addressing the needs of the UMC's constituent members.
Tomorrow, the organization will hold its first general body meeting at the Greenfield Intercultural Center, located at 3708 Chestnut Street. The representatives of various University minority organizations will convene in order to voice their needs, both in political support and monetary funding.
The meeting will also serve as a recruiting effort and brainstorming session for prospective goals.
"We are going to plan the intercultural events for the year during this meeting," Nduom said. "Hopefully, we can also bring in new members in the process."
Last year's freshman representation was strong, and the UMC can only hope for a similar turnout.
Three freshmen -- a higher than average representation -- joined the council's board, a team of only 11 students, last semester.
Nduom said that another major goal for the organization this fall is to reactivate the Native American Student Organization, which has been absent for many years due to a lack of sufficient representation.
Another one of the council's annual undertakings is Unity Week, which falls in the middle of November this year.
The festival is composed of various panels and forums to inform students about issues facing minorities on and off campus. A panel on self-segregation and interracial dating was just one of last year's discussion topics.
