Halloween was not the only celebration that got off to a premature start Thursday night. Two nights ago, about forty students gathered in the John Jay Lounge to celebrate the start of Native American Heritage Month.

Although a diverse mix of Native American, white, black and Latino students made up the audience, an interest in the traditional and contemporary Native American culture characterized all in attendance. But as NAHM chair, Maxine Paul, CC '09, was quick to mention, an interest in Native American culture is entirely different than actually understanding the Native American experience. Last night's events aimed not just to commemorate the trials, travails, and triumphs of American Indians, but also to educate the audience on contemporary Native American customs and the tension between cultural assimilation and cultural autonomy.

Now that midterms are over (for some of us!), penny-savers should be quick to hit up two wonderfully delicious free food events today, which include a joint birthday party for the Office of Multicultural Affairs and the Intercultural Resource Center and a Teahouse with the Asian American Alliance featuring musical guest Alice Hu (and samosas, mango lassi, and tea).

OMA/IRC Anniversary Celebration
5:30pm — 8:30pm (brief program at 6:15pm)
Intercultural Resource Center
552 West 114th Street

AAA Teahouse
10:30pm
Lerner 555

An anonymous Bwog tipster has forwarded us the following farewell email, which details the departure of Dr. Ajay Nair (right), Associate Dean of Student Affairs/Office of Multicultural Affairs. Dr. Nair will be returning to UPenn (where he was Director of the Pan-Asian American Community House) to serve as Associate Vice Provost for Student Affairs.

So say hello to new (but interim) Associate Dean of Student Affairs for the Office of Multicultural Affairs, Melinda Aquino. (That's her on the left.) You might remember Aquino from her position as Senior Assistant Dean of Multicultural Affairs. According to the OMA website, Aquino has previously worked at the University of Florida, the University of Miami, and Washington Sq.-based archenemy NYU. Also, "her current work examines cultural hybrity and 'techo-Orientalism' in cyborg science fiction literature and films."

Email after the jump.