Raul Herrera/Asst. News Director
With finals approaching, the Department of Campus Life and the Office of Multicultural Programs and Services joined forces to host events throughout the upcoming week at Biscayne Bay Campus.
Release Week starts on Monday, April 14, with a kickoff event combined with an LBTQA Pride celebration at the new Panther Square at 11 a.m.
“Release Week’s main goal is to provide a bit of unwinding and relaxing before finals,” said Andres Bermeo, marketing coordinator from Campus Life at BBC.
During the kickoff event, there will be food and giveaways for students, as well a resource fair for Panthers to get information on LGBTQA issues and concerns.
“We do this in conjunction with MPAS,” said Bermeo. Since Release Week was at the same time as the LGBTQA Initiatives Pride Week celebration, both departments “combined efforts [to do both].”
Edwin Serrano, graduate assistant in the BBC LGBTQA Initiatives, commented on the collaboration.
“We decided to do a gay celebration,” Serrano said, “We have invited over eight organizations in the Miami Dade and Broward community.”
Serrano pointed to the Stonewall National Museum and Archives as another organization that will be attending. He said that these organizations would attempt to educate students on LGBTQA issues.
“It’s a resource fair,” he said, clarifying that there would be eight tables and that students would be receiving a “passport” that is marked at each table visit. Students that participate in every table are provided with a free lunch.
“We are really providing resources to help educate not only students,” Serrano said.
According to Serrano, the event will be open to all students – regardless of sexuality or “whether they agree or disagree” – but it isn’t limited to only students.
Bermeo mentioned various planned occasions in his interview with Student Media, including a day of complete relaxation.
Another event, Spa Day, will be held at Panther Square on Wednesday, April 16, from 11 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Bermeo said that Spa Day will have free spa services for students, including a barbershop for men, nail polishes and makeup for women and free massages for all. Something else to look forward to that day is a giveaway.
“[Spa Day] will also feature an aromatherapy workshop,” said Bermeo, pointing to its paraphernalia crafting activity.
The workshop will be held from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. and it will be held at the theater, Bermeo said. The first 40 attendees will be served, so first come, first served. Additionally, MPAS will be holding the Day of Silence during Release Week.
According to Serrano, “Release Week as we know has been a tradition [at BBC].”
Serrano praised Campus Life, saying that it has been helpful to his department.
“Campus Life has been the Godfather of every program,” he said. “Everything we need, they’re always there.”
-bbc@fiusm.com