Top 5 academic events for the week of April 4

Hello, studiers and academics (who like to get out and mingle). We've got a new treat for you.

Connect2Mason’s Top 5 are our staff's picks for the week's best academic and learning events. Every Monday, C2M will post a new Top 5 which will highlight some of the most interesting, informational and creative academic events going on at campus this week.

We'll likely be at some of them. If you see us, say hi. We're friendly folks.

Monday

Mental Health in the LGBTQ Community

WHAT: Recently there has been an increase in media attention about the upswing in LGBT suicides. This discussion will be a chance to try and “complete the picture” and discuss mental health and the ways depression and bullying affect the community.

WHEN: 7:30-9:00 p.m.

WHERE: Johnson Center, Gold Room

COST: Free

MORE INFO: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender & Questioning Resources, (703) 993-2702

EXTRA: This week is LGBTQ Pride Week and there are numerous events throughout the week. Check out the schedule of activities here.

Tuesday

Higher Education in Virginia: Looking Toward the Next Decade

WHAT: The conference will feature four discussion panels on current education issues in Virginia. One issue to be discussed is Governor Bob McDonnell’s plan to add an additional 100,000 undergraduate (associate and bachelor’s) degrees for Virginians over the next 15 years. One panel will discuss how to increase the number of graduates and the percentage who stay in higher education and graduate.

WHEN: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

WHERE: Johnson Center

COST: Free (RSVP needed if attending luncheon with President Merten)

MORE INFO: Find a complete schedule and overview of the conference here.

Thursday

Program Board Film: King’s Speech

WHAT: King’s Speech, starring Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham Carter won four Oscars earlier this year. Not only is the movie entertaining and very well acted, the film educates the viewers on the history of King George VI of Britain and on someone struggling with stuttering. This is a must see movie, and here is a chance to watch it for free.

WHEN: 9:00 p.m.

WHERE: Johnson Center, Cinema

COST: Free

MORE INFO: Imdb Profile of King’s Speech.

EXTRA: If you miss this showing of King’s Speech, the film will be showing all weekend at the Cinema. Here is the schedule for this weekend.

Friday

Decision Making on the Courts of Appeals: Can Judges Predict the Likelihood of En Banc Review?

WHAT: The presentation will focus on an analysis of the U.S. Courts of Appeals and will explore whether judges can predict the likelihood of review by their circuit en banc. The goal of the analysis is to evaulate whether courts of appeals judges can accurately predict the types of cases their circuit, sitting en banc, are more or less likely to review. Fenwick Fellow Jennifer Barnes Bowie will be the speaker.

WHEN: 2 p.m.

WHERE: Johnson Center, Gold Room

COST: Free

MORE INFO: Rebecca Forrest, (703) 993-2251, rforrest@gmu.edu, University Libraries

Japanese Play: The Oni’s Bride

WHAT: The Japanese play The Oni’s Bride is about a young village woman who decides to marry an oni or demon when he helped bring much needed rain to the village and demanded her as his bride. The play will be put on by Mason students. The play is a “warm-up” event for International Week which will be held from April 9-16.

WHEN: 6:00 p.m.

WHERE: Johnson Center, Dewberry Hall

COST: Free

MORE INFO: Dr. Sufumi So (703) 993-4822

EXTRA: The play is a “warm-up” event for International Week which will be held from April 9-16.