Rinamay Rhoten, Reporter @RinamayLopez
The Global New York Times has decided to occupy UVU campus in order to give students and faculty a better experience of worldwide news.
Their mission statement is simple: “Bring the world to UVU.” Every Wednesday at 12:00 p.m. the faculty and staff meet along with students to discuss what’s current in the New York Times that week.
Every attendee in the meeting will already be asked to have read the New York Times and, as a result, everyone will be ready to have an open discussion and will have the opportunity to express their opinions and views on the current events.
The program is meant to be an opportunity to give the students a chance to better understand what is happening, learn to analyze news media and have the chance to express their concerns and viewpoints.
The program is also designed for students who see what is going on in the world and need help processing their concern and shock.
The main objective of this discussion is to have students be able to express their opinions and concerns in a healthy way. In having these discussions students can feel they have a place where there opinions are heard.
“What we like about the New York Times is that it is news from all over the world, so it’s that diversity that we are bringing to UVU,” Paola Rondon, head of International Student Counsel, said.” It is very important for them to know what is going on around the world and be able to have an opinion about it.”
The Global New York Times is pretty satisfied with their turnout. On average they have around 10 to 15 students.
“However if there were something in the news that really shook their world [we’d] expect more, “ Rondun said.
The reading group is looking to expand their readership to create a more diverse organization.
Instead of only inviting faculty they are also inviting staff.
“We also are trying not to do a certain group or a certain region,“ Rondun said.
Every student that wants to participate needs to bring a Wednesday copy of the New York Times. It’s also essential that the students are already up to date with the news that is going to be discussed that day.
It’s also important for each student to have a copy when they come in, to bring in a classroom-like environment. In these discussions, the main focus is to emphasize the news only.
“The good thing about the New York times is that it delivers news from all over the world” Rondun said.
Dr. Sara Ulloua will be directing the discussion next week, and she will start by asking attendees their opinions. Everyone will have a chance to give his or her thoughts on the news that day and participate.
The committee tries to purposely keep it informal so that students feel comfortable expressing themselves.
”It’s not something that people have to come sit and listen, its more informal. We want people to participate,” Rondun said.
