Miami Student

Issue date: 4/15/03 Section: Features

Ever catch a stranger's eye on the Slantwalk and offer a friendly smile, only to be rebuffed?"People don't usually look at me," said first-year Essee Oruma about her walks to and from class.Many Miami University students have experienced the cold shoulder from others.Maybe all those passers-by are preoccupied with homework or the tests they are about to take.It could also be that students just don't feel the need to interact with anyone other than their close friends.But for whatever reason, the reserved people who inhabit Oxford have been noticed, and the Scholar Leaders are trying to do something to put a smile on students' faces.Through the MUSmiles program, the Scholar Leaders are trying to bring about a friendlier atmosphere and greater unity among students."It came about from a trip the Scholar Leaders took to Canada," said Denny Roberts, assistant vice president of Student Affairs.During every winter break, the Scholar Leaders take what is called a "plunge" trip, said Doug Little, the resident director of Elliot Hall.The students in the program go to different locations that are an eight-hour drive or less from Oxford in order to experience other cultures.In January of 1999, the Scholar Leaders took a trip to Toronto, one of the most diverse cities in the world. While they were there, Toronto was celebrating its "All One People Day.""It is designed to celebrate all the backgrounds," Roberts said.He added that in almost every city block, a different language was being spoken.After experiencing such a positive and open celebration, the Scholar Leaders decided that they wanted to bring an "All One People's Day" to Miami's campus.On March 22, 1999, they did just that, with a campus outreach event that requested all faculty and students pause for a moment at 11 a.m. to reflect upon the diversity of the Miami community."(Scholar Leaders) did a simple survey asking students why they weren't accepting of other cultures," Little said.The overwhelming response was that most people walk with their heads down, bringing about an overall negative feeling.Thus, MUSmiles Day was born.About 20 organizations in addition to the Scholar Leader Program participated in the first official MUSmiles Day in November 1999.Group members passed out free "smiles on a stick" as well as buttons and candy. Music was played throughout the day.Although some people were skeptical, others whole-heartedly supported it, and the result of the festivities was a brighter day with more smiles than usual.The following year, MUSmiles Day took place for the second time, and again, free key chains, yo-yo's and pencils were given away.Professors and academic departments were also encouraged to incorporate the attitude of the day into their classrooms.However, throughout the years, some students have taken the message of the day less seriously."It can be interpreted as a silly thing," Roberts said.But the meaning of the day is deeper than free handouts and smiley stickers.It is an effort to encourage students to always be open to the differences around them and also to be accepting of other cultures."The past couple years, it's lost some of its educational value," Little said.This year's MUSmiles Day, which took place last Wednesday, was an attempt to get back to the original effort - a recognition, celebration and acceptance of different cultures.The event also focused on appreciating other cultures for the uniqueness that they bring to the campus.Throughout the day, each Scholar Leader was given a sheet of six or seven stickers.When he or she saw someone offering a helping hand, saying something positive or simply smiling, the Scholar Leader gave the person a sticker as well as a sheet of six of seven stickers.The idea was that the recipient of the sticker was then supposed to do the same thing as the Scholar Leaders.According to Little, the exercise was inspired by the movie Pay It Forward."Proactively go out and do something nice for no reason at all," said Little, referring to the goal of this year's MUSmiles Day.By the end of the day, many red stickers were seen all over campus.To wrap up the celebration, the organizers held a rally at the Reflecting Pool where Associated Student Government president-elect Mike Chapman, Provost Dr. Ronald Crutcher and Roberts spoke about the current campus.MUSmiles Day focused more on education this year because the Scholar Leaders felt that students were beginning to associate the day with a "be happy" attitude rather than the acceptance of cultural diversity around Miami.MUSmiles can also be a proponent of achieving the goal of greater diversity among students and faculty that is part of the "First in 2009" program.Small steps such as MUSmiles add up to more openness and acceptance on campus, Little said."If we foster a more open environment, it will attract a larger number of minority students," he added.

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