The Anti-Rape Task Force continued its Violence Against Women Awareness Week Tuesday amid a carnival-like atmosphere, as Sub-Board I, Inc. held its ninth-annual Sub-Board I Day in the Student Union.
"We pull all the different divisions of the Sub-Board-I, Inc. into the Student Union, since we are not centrally located, and tell students what we are all about," said Marc Stellrecht, a senior management major and SBI's marketing director.
At noon, about 20 men and women with the Task Force held a 15-minute "march against violence."
"We are trying to educate students in UB and get them to stand up against violence," said Erica Beggs, program coordinator for the Anti-Rape Task Force and a senior psychology major. "We have had people from the community participate in Violence Against Women Awareness Week, such as Crisis Services and Planned Parenthood."
After the march, Sub-Board I Day continued in celebratory fashion with balloons, free food, and prizes.
With all three of Sub-Board's divisions - Entertainment, Health, and Support - participating in the event, the celebration was also a chance for the organization to promote itself to the student body.
"We even want to advertise job availabilities in the various sector of the Sub-Board I, Inc. and give students a chance to see all the divisions," said Stellrecht.
Fran Marciniak, a pharmacy technician for Sub-Board, manned the health table, offering free samples of shampoo, granola bars, Chapstick and other giveaways.
"We get more people each year, we always have good free samples and it's in spring," said Marciniak.
WRUB, the student-run radio station, was another major participant, holding contests for Lasertron tickets and restaurant gift certificates.
"I think it's really great that we have Sub-Board day to show the services we provide, because a lot of students don't know about Sub-Board and assume these services are through the university," said Kristine Kozloski, associate director of Health Education and Human Services.
"This is great for recognizing each other as a whole group as opposed to separate bodies," said Justin Touretz, a sophomore English major who works with WRUB.
According to Mercedes Cepeda, a senior health and human services major, Health Education and Human Services has four subdivisions: the Sexuality Education Center, the Anti-Rape Task Force, the AIDS Coalition and the Sub-Board Players.
"We go to different schools and do skits showing what sexual harassment is, how it can be avoided, we also focus on date rape, bullying, et cetera," said Cepeda.
"SBI has been around for 33 years now," said Ariel Arroyo, SBI treasurer. "Sub-Board Day is a great day, as it educates students about the corporation they own and all the services that it provides."
Passing students who stopped by at the event echoed Arroyo's sentiments.
"I am really excited to be here and learn so much about the SBI," said Baha Uddin, a sophomore aerospace engineering major.
"Sub-Board Day is a good day to familiarize staff and students with the programs that Sub-Board have to offer," said Jillian Caruso, assistant manager of the ticket office.
The Task Force's Awareness Week continues through April 8.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
