By Christina Smith
In an attempt to end University segregation and emphasize how much power student groups actually have on campus, hip-hop and community-based group 6th Element has created a music-festival-turned-major-philanthropic-endeavor: the Unite Movement.
According to club President Rich Schwartz, 6th Element has been a University group for about 10 years now, and has raised close to $13,000 through numerous educational and charity events in that time. They have brought in several well-known hip-hop radio personalities, including DJ Cut from the Power-105 Morning Show and DJ Chuck Chillout from KISS-FM. They have also hosted a University talent show, raising $450 for the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
However, Schwartz said that the one thing he has seen on campus and in the community that he would like to really work on is segregation.
“Everyone has their own agenda,” he said. “I want to stray from those selfish desires in a way that will help the community, fellow students and people in need.”
The idea Schwartz and the 6th Element group have come up with to solve this problem, the Unite Movement, is an attempt to bring each club, group and organization on campus together to work toward one common goal. Every club willing to be involved will be, as Schwartz said, involved in “something united, something bigger.”
According to SGA President and co-creator of the University’s Music Fest, Peter DiSilvio, the common goal the groups pledged to the Unite Movement are working toward, is to assist in the planning of third annual Music Fest, scheduled for Spring ’09. The spring Music Fest, originally planned by Entertainment Unlimited, Hofstra Concerts and SGA, is similar to the Jason Mraz concert that was organized by Hofstra Concerts this past fall, only bigger. Schwartz said that with participation from as many clubs as possible, it could be Hofstra Concerts biggest event ever.
“We want every student to have something to look forward to,” Schwartz said.
Working behind the slogan, “Let’s surprise them. Let’s surprise all. Let’s surprise ourselves,” the Unite Movement already has several committed, participating clubs, such as the University’s chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. and the Student Government Association (SGA). According to Schwartz, one group does not have enough money to plan an event like this. Ultimately, involving multiple groups will allow each group to pool their money and resources to possibly hire a big-name performer.
“We greatly appreciate support from 6th Element and any others who are willing to help in terms of manpower and financial support,” said DiSilvio.
Kimberly Rhyan, assistant director of Student Leadership and Activities, is optimistic that the event will be a success. Rhyan has known Schwartz for several years, and has watched him grow as a leader. She said that Schwartz knows it can’t just be about his club, and he is taking advantage of all the options available to make sure the Unite Movement is a success.
“He is planning an event that will leave a legacy,” Rhyan said. “I’m excited to see a student have so much initiative.” She added that in the six years she has been with the University, other than the Project Runway fashion show, few programs have really attempted to unite and form a stronger community.
Schwartz hopes that if this Spring’s Unite Movement is a success, it will become a “group of all groups” at the University. He said that, in terms of long-range planning, clubs could attempt to plan one big event per year or per semester through the Unite Movement.
