Ametrica Project | Bonner Community Scholar Program
Lives of Commitment | Pluralism and Unity Program

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Ametrica Project

The Ametrica Project brings domestic and international students together to promote the development of greater intercultural sensitivity by looking at the world through different lenses. Facilitated by the Department of International Student Programs (ISP), this out-of-classroom program is both theoretical and experiential. Ametrica explores diverse cultural similarities and differences.  Each student in the program (whether international or domestic) will work in small groups (4-6) with an ISP mentor.  The ISP mentors will facilitate fortnightly programs in conjunction with Macalester faculty and administration during the fall semester. Topics explored will include, but not be limited to family, politics, religion, economics, health, race and love.   

Ideally, the program participants will be made up of an equal number of international and US students.  Participants will build valuable international relationships through Ametrica, which can be a critical stepping-stone for the rest of your experiences during and after your time at Macalester College. The deadline is not yet available.

Applications for Ametrica will be available on the ISP website soon:
Ametrica Project

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Bonner Community Scholars Program

The Bonner Community Scholars Program is a four-year civic engagement program that provides leadership programming, academic support, engagement opportunities and a social network.

Being a Bonner Scholar involves a commitment not only to service, but also to learning how to be an effective change agent for one’s campus, community, and beyond. Ideal Bonner candidates are passionate about civic engagement and eliminating systematic inequalities, demonstrate community involvement, embrace working in a team setting, have leadership potential, and a commitment to the Bonner mission of “Access to Education & Opportunity to Serve.”

Bonner is founded on six common commitments:
• Civic Engagement - We participate intentionally as a citizen in the democratic process, actively engaging in public policy and direct service.
• Community Building - We establish and sustain a vibrant community of place, personal relationships, and common interests.
• Diversity - We respect and embrace the many dimensions of diversity in our private and public lives.
• International Perspective - We develop international understanding that enables us to participate successfully in a global society.
• Social Justice - We advocate for fairness, impartiality, and equality while addressing systemic social and environmental issues.
• Spiritual Exploration - We explore personal belief while respecting the spiritual practices of others.

Bonner invites all first-year students to apply and selects 12 new participants each year. First generation college students, Minnesota residents, and students who have participated in college access programs (eg. Upward Bound, College Possible, AVID, TRIO, etc) are strongly encouraged to apply. To be eligible for the program participants must have work-study as part of their financial aid package and a demonstrated commitment to community involvement.

For more information and/or to apply:
Bonner Community Scholars Program

Applications should be received no later than Midnight CST on Thursday, June 27.

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Lives of Commitment

Lives of Commitment: Looking to find a close community of students who share your values in community engagement and deep conversation? Want to get involved in the Twin Cities your first year? Then Lives of Commitment is probably for you. This program engages a select group of first-year students in an integrated practice of community service and active reflection on social justice and ethical or religious commitments. Throughout the year, each student will spend 3 hours each week as part of a small group at one of seven nonprofit organizations either working with immigrants and refugees or tutoring children. Distinguishing aspects of this program are the monthly dinners and regular small group dialogue about one’s own commitments. The program begins with a required pre-orientation urban retreat for students where they become familiar with the Twin Cities (August 25-August 28, 2013). On this retreat students build community with other participants, eat foods from around the world and meet with community organizations and leaders.

Students chosen for Lives of Commitment cannot participate in pre-orientation MacWard Bound trips.

For more information and/or to apply:
Lives of Commitment

Applications should be received no later than Thursday, June 27.

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Pluralism & Unity Program (P&U)

This unique program provides first-year students an opportunity to build strong and effective relationships within and across racial, ethnic, national and cultural backgrounds. Macalester’s commitment to multiculturalism and internationalism are two of its strengths and core values. The P&U Program is an excellent opportunity to be part of what makes Macalester so special - students, staff, and faculty from many different parts of the world; the varied cultural backgrounds that each person brings; and the college’s location in a major metropolitan area in the United States. Whatever our backgrounds and identities are, we all have important stories to tell and important things to learn from one another.

The mission of the P&U Program is to create a community of first-year students who are committed to exploring and understanding issues of race, culture, identity, and social justice, and to working to end racism in a global context. We ask the questions:
• Why do identities matter?
• What is multiculturalism?
• What is social justice?

The goals of the P&U Program are to:
1. Create a purposeful out-of-classroom experience related to multiculturalism and internationalism that encourages participants to begin the journey to be change agents and actively engaged citizen of the world;
2. Create opportunities for participants to build strong and effective relationships with a diverse peer group and to learn more about each others’ identities; and
3. Develop a cadre of students with an understanding of socially pertinent issues and the ability to engage in productive and meaningful dialogues across cultural differences.

Students in the P&U Program meet twice a month for the entire academic year with faculty and staff facilitators to engage in personal and intellectual activities to increase their abilities to learn from and about people from many different identities. In addition, the group will take trips off campus to visit some of the culturally and ethnically diverse neighborhoods and communities that make up the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St Paul, and they will have the opportunity to participate in activities with community members. Many students find that this is an important way to advance their understanding of themselves and their ability to affect positive change in the world. Participants’ experiences in P&U have encouraged them to become leaders on campus and in the community. Alums of P&U have become outstanding leaders on in campus organizations such as the Macalester College Student Government, Asian Student Alliance, Multifaith Council, Caribbean Student Association, Queer Union, Black Liberation Affairs Committee, Macalester International Organization, Adelante!, and Feminists in Action. To learn more about the Pluralism & Unity Program, please visit our website.

To complete an application:
Pluralism & Unity Program Application

Questions? E-mail Karla Benson Rutten at benson@macalester.edu.

The priority deadline for applying to the P&U Program is Friday, August 16, 2013.

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