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����ɫ��ҹ University’s College of Arts and Sciences, and the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are sponsoring a panel discussion titled “Puerto Rico: The 51st Star On the U.S. Flag?” on Jan. 31 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the Kent Student Center Kiva. The event is free and open to the public. A dessert and coffee reception will follow the discussion in the Multicultural Center, Room 206 of the Kent Student Center, which is directly above the Kiva.

Supported by the Hispanic Alliance Inc., ����ɫ��ҹ Admissions, and the Spanish and Latino Student Association (SALSA), the discussion will provide participants with the opportunity to explore the complex issue from diverse angles. The history of Puerto Rico’s connection as a U.S. territory and the arguments for independence, status quo and statehood are all aspects influencing the issue to be discussed by the panel.

“This forum will present a discussion focusing on the historic statehood vote by Puerto Rico in the fall 2012 election,” said Joseph Ortiz, Ph.D., geology professor and provost faculty associate for ����ɫ��ҹ’s Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, who will serve on the discussion panel.

Other panel members include Jose E. Lopez, adjunct professor and executive director for the Institute of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture at the University of Illinois at Chicago; Juan Molina Crespo, executive director, Hispanic Alliance Inc. in Cleveland; Amoaba Gooden, Ph.D., chair of ����ɫ��ҹ’s Department of Pan-African Studies; David Kaplan, Ph.D., professor in ����ɫ��ҹ’s Department of Geography; and Elizabeth Pryor-Smith, Ph.D., history professor at ����ɫ��ҹ. The panel will be moderated by José C. Feliciano, a Cleveland-area trial lawyer who also serves as ����ɫ��ҹ’s 2012-2013 President’s Ambassador.

For more information about ����ɫ��ҹ’s College of Arts and Sciences, visit www.kent.edu/cas.

For more information about ����ɫ��ҹ’s Division of People, Culture and Belonging, formerly the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, visit www.kent.edu/diversity.

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Media Contacts:
Joseph Ortiz, jortiz@kent.edu, 330-672-2225
Sandra Morgan, smorga3@kent.edu, 330-672-8986
Emily Vincent, evincen2@kent.edu, 330-672-8595