It is, again, Friday. We are wrapping up our third week of class and beginning February. We are deep into spring semester (as evidenced by the several snow falls and my 13 degree bike ride onto campus this morning!).

Once again, we have publications to announce. Evan has two new publications out. The first is in Media, Culture & Society: “Powered by Netflix: Speed Test Services and Video-on-Demand’s Global Development Projects.” He writes that the essay is “the first published step in a new line of research on media/tech corporations’ international development and corporate benevolent projects (to give away the ending: they don’t care all that much about development in any meaningful sense, and they’re more self-serving than benevolent).”

The second is in a book that also has an essay by Nick. From Networks to Netflix: A Guide to Changing Channels.  Nick’s essay is “Comedy Central: Transgressive Femininities and Reaffirmed Masculinities,” and Evan’s is “iQiyi: China’s Internet Tigers Take Television.”

I have attached here the list of WSCA participants. Man oh man, does the graduate program rock! Take a look at the number of our grad student presenting at WSCA this year, notice the number that are presenting twice. Pretty cool, yes?

The CPD is hard at work on a number of project. Crucially in this moment, they are hosting the university’s First Amendment Series. Lots of us continue to have questions about how to manage first amendment on campus and in our classrooms. These conversations will be helpful. Thanks, Kalie and the rest of the CPD staff for your hard work on these conversations.

Speaking of hard conversations, I can imagine and have heard that we continue to have important discussions in our classrooms. I have attached here the document that Okee in the VPUA sent to all of us this week. There are lots of wonderful links and some great tips. I want to pull out this paragraph in particular.

Recognize the Potential for Harm – Faculty play a critical role in establishing a classroom that is respectful and open to differing opinions, and in establishing an awareness that words can lead to harm and cause pain to people for a wide variety of reasons.  Throughout history, and in a variety of contexts, dominant groups have utilized their First Amendment rights to silence and further marginalize minoritized groups.  Those dynamics unfold in classroom spaces as well as in the larger culture. Although students may utilize their First Amendment rights in the classroom setting, faculty must take the proactive role in organizing thoughtful engagement based around shared understanding of the ground rules and goals of dialogue.

The balance between freedom of speech and the right of each person to their voice is well articulated in the middle of the paragraph: “Dominant groups have utilized their First Amendment Rights to silence and further marginalize minoritized groups.” Exactly right.

I am sure, as well, that all of you saw and read Tony’s message regarding the anti-immigrant fliers posted by the fascist organization Traditionalist Workers Party. If you didn’t read it the first time around, I here is a link. He concludes his letter statement this way: “I believe in the humanity and justice of our community, and I believe that we cannot be diminished when we stand firmly in solidarity against hate, oppression, and those who view genocide as a viable political option. As much as our views and beliefs as members of the CSU community may differ on any number of topics, I am confident we are united on this front. Our Principles of Community are unwavering: There is no place for such hate at Colorado State.”

You also know that a number of folks, including Elizabeth S will be gathering on the lawn between Plymouth First Congregational Church and the Islamic Center (south of campus) this afternoon to demonstrate the power of inclusivity in our community.

Gravlee Lecture, Wednesday, February 7, at 8:00 pm in the LSC Theater. Reception follows. Wonderful story about Chon Noriega—our presenter—is here.

We are amazing, aren’t we? We are hosting a remarkable Gravlee lecture in just a few days, at least 18 presenters at WSCA including Elizabeth W with a top paper, four research brown bags coming up, and three publications in a week.

All of these things.

But, more importantly, the continued passion and good will of all of you in your classrooms, in the offices, along the hallways. We are remarkable in the first instance because of our spirit, our attitude, our way of addressing the world. We are positive, forward thinking, warm, open, and committed to the well-being of those around us. It is this spirit of which I am most proud and which I hold closest to me.

Be well, and have a good weekend, friends.

Yours,
Greg