2005.04.14

The University of Nebraska at Omaha Office of Latino/Latin American Studies (OLLAS) will host the Second Cumbre of the Great Plains starting April 22. Cumbre means summit. A wide variety of important immigration issues will be discussed, according to Jonathan Benjamin-Alvarado, a UNO political science professor and the OLLAS assistant director.

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THE UNO OFFICE OF LATINO/LATIN AMERICAN STUDIES, KNOWN AS OLLAS, WILL HOST THE SECOND CUMBRE OF THE GREAT PLAINS THE WEEKEND OF APRIL 22.  CUMBRE MEANS SUMMIT IN SPANISH. JONATHAN BENJAMIN-ALVARADO, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR FOR OLLAS AND A PROFESSOR IN UNO'S POLITICAL SCIENCE DEPARTMENT, SAYS THE EVENT WILL LOOK AT A WIDE VARIETY OF IMPORTANT IMMIGRATION ISSUES THAT NEBRASKA IS FACING.

BENJAMIN-ALVARADO: "And what we're hoping to be able to do is to expose people here in Nebraska to the latest and the best in research in these particular areas.  And I'm talking about areas like health issues.  I'm talking about political and economic integration, labor issues.  We're going to be talking about education, as well.  And really, ultimately, about how it is we can better integrate this population into the mainstream here in Nebraska and on the Great Plains."

THE THREE DAY CONFERENCE WILL BRING IN SCHOLARS, ACITIVISTS, STUDENTS AND THE PUBLIC FROM ACROSS THE STATE, THE COUNTRY AND FROM MEXICO, AS WELL.  THIS TRANSNATIONAL SCOPE OF THE CONFERENCE IS IMPORTANT, BENJAMIN-ALVARADO SAYS.

BENJAMIN-ALVARADO: "But there's also an exchange of ideas, an exchange of people going back and forth between both these countries so that actually the flows of information and of humans and of finances, especially, goes in both directions.  And it's having an impact not only here, but in those communities that are sending people to the Midwest."

THE IMPACT OF LATINO IMMIGRATION IS A STATEWIDE PHENONMENON – BOTH URBAN AND RURAL.

BENJAMIN-ALVARADO:  "Obviously in Omaha, there has been a concentration of population, but not to the extent and not as dramatic as we see in some smaller communities outstate.  In Western Nebraska a number of communities have been significantly transformed.  What are the implications of this for the people living in those communities?  How do they deal with the impact on the schools?  On healthcare system?  On social welfare systems across the board?"

ONE FOCUS OF THE CONFERENCE WILL SPECIFICALLY LOOK AT ISSUES IN THE MEATPACKING INDUSTRY.  THE AUTHORS OF A HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH REPORT ON MEATPACKING WILL BE AT THE CUMBRE. 

BENJAMIN-ALVARADO: "It's probably one of the most dangerous jobs in the United States with a significant turnover of labor on an annual basis.  I think the average person lasts approximately 13 months in the meat packing industry."

TODAY'S IMMIGRANTS MIRROR NEBRASKA'S EARLIER IMMIGRANT EXPERIENCES OF THE LAST CENTURY.  INSTEAD OF EUROPE, FAMILIES ARE COMING TO THE STATE FROM AS FAR AWAY AS CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA.

"And so it's interesting to see how that cycle repeats itself once again.  It's just a different sending community that's having a different impact because many of these communities in rural Nebraska are growing older.    And there's been an influx and revitalization because of the Latino migration."

THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF THE CUMBRE WEEKEND IS GREATER UNDERSTANDING.

BENJAMIN-ALVARADO: "It doesn't mean Latinos gain is the loss of everybody else in Nebraska.   We want people to understand that it can be a win-win proposition."

THE ENTIRE CONFERENCE, HELD IN OMAHA, IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.  FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL (402) 554-3835.

2005.11.10
Making time for wellness and fitness can be difficult, especially for women who are balancing both family and work. UNO Assistant Professor Jennifer White studies fitness and wellness issues and has some practical advice.
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2005.10.20
The library at a university serves more than students and faculty members. And collections today include everything from online journals to DVDs in addition to books. Steve Shorb, the dean of UNO's University Library, explains.
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2005.10.05
Starting the higher education selection process early is the message from David Cicotello, the director of New Student Enrollment Services at UNO. High school students and their parents have a wealth of information available to them.
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2005.10.05
In part II of this special Radio News Line, David Cicotello explains why campus visits can make all the difference in the college decision-making process for high school students and their parents.
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2005.09.14
Alice Schumaker, an associate professor in UNO's College of Public Affairs and Community Service, and a colleague from a Norwegian university have a unique educational exchange going on this semester. Students in their classes are meeting and discussing class work over the Internet.
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2005.07.27
Nebraska will be the center of the Information Systems world for four days in August. A world-class conference on cutting edge technology issues is expected to attract more than 850 people from across the planet to Omaha's Qwest Center. Two UNO professors have spearheaded organizing the event.
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2005.07.11
A unique collaboration between the Gallup Organization and the University of Nebraska at Omaha continues to grow and expand. Dr. Jerry Wagner, a distinguished research fellow at UNO, explains how a new laboratory at Gallup will create high tech internship slots available for students.
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2005.06.13
The Latina Summer Academy is in session this week at UNO. Sixteen young Latina women will get a taste of college and see what taking courses in math, science and technology could mean for them in the future. Curt Bayer, the director of executive education programs in the UNO College of Business Administration, discusses this unique program.
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2005.06.02
The University of Nebraska at Omaha recently has expanded its classes on entrepreneurship. Being your own boss can be a rewarding option for many according to Anne York, the director of the UNO Maverick Entrepreneurship Institute in the College of Business Administration.
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2005.04.14
The University of Nebraska at Omaha Office of Latino/Latin American Studies (OLLAS) will host the Second Cumbre of the Great Plains starting April 22. Cumbre means summit. A wide variety of important immigration issues will be discussed, according to Jonathan Benjamin-Alvarado, a UNO political science professor and the OLLAS assistant director.
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2005.04.04
The annual Airline Quality Ratings are now available.
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2005.03.24
The UNO College of Information Science and Technology has a graduate fair and open house set for March 31. It's a unique opportunity to meet faculty, alums and local business people involved in cutting edge work in our region. Dr. Peter Wolcott explains why an advanced degree can be beneficial.
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2005.03.11
More than 200 University of Nebraska at Omaha students will be spending spring break swinging a hammer or using a paint brush. Instead of going on vacation, the students will be volunteering for Seven Days of Service, a program that renovates homes for people who need low income housing.
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2005.03.07
Learning does not just happen on university campuses. A group of UNO professors has made a connection in an area of Omaha with a growing immigrant community, and the result of that outreach will be new courses for students in the fall.
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2005.01.31
Technology has people of all ages simply swimming in information. How can you keep on top of e-mail, text messaging and cell phone calls? Dr. Ilze Zigurs, a professor in UNO's College of Information Science and Technology, has some advice.
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2005.01.24
The UNO Athletic Department has a special night of fun and information scheduled for women on Feb. 10. Hockey 101 will give participants a chance to learn about the sport, meet the Maverick Hockey team, and take a turn on the ice.
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