By Tara Pokras
A new organization has started on campus for honing communication skills through speech and voicing opinions about social and political issues in and around the University.
The Professional Organization in Speech Education (P.O.I.S.E.), a new academic speech club on campus, has now opened to students interested in being heard.
No matter what field or major, a form of communication will be used and P.O.I.S.E. offers ways to strengthen that skill, according to club president Sidhartha Nathan.
“Speech communication reaches far beyond our University borders,” Nathan, a junior speech communication and rhetorical studies major, said. “No matter what major you have declared, you will undoubtedly use some form of speech communication in your professional careers.”
The club’s events are divided into three categories: Student Speaker Series, Workshop Series and Lecture Series.
The club will have its kick-off event, Free Speech Day on Oct. 11 during common hour between the Axinn Library and Hofstra Hall. Students will be able to step up to the microphone and voice their opinion on anything from the University’s crowded parking lots to same-sex marriage.
Free Speech Day was inspired by an event called “Speaker’s Corner,” which was held in London.
University students will have a five-minute time limit and must refrain from anything that might be offensive or hurtful to other individuals.
P.O.I.S.E. advisor Dr. Gui Caliendo, an assistant professor, is curious to hear what the students have to say.
“The more controversial the subject the better,” Caliendo said. “Whatever is going on in their heads I want it voiced. I feel like there is so much going on in the world and there are no conversations happening. Students need to feel free to speak their minds.”
Nathan said he hopes students step up to the microphone and speak with conviction on issues they are compassionate about.
“I hope to hear as many opinions on as many issues as possible,” he said.
Throughout the year students can look forward to celebrating speech communication. P.O.I.S.E. has scheduled events such as Mock Debate Hour in December and various resume and internship workshops, and has invited fiction writer Salman Rushdie for the spring.