Besides free movies and other entertainment events, Activities Council of Bradley University (ACBU) also has a special programing coordinator to help increase the awareness on critical issues through special events. Sophomore game design major Max Bulver is the coordinator for critical issues this year.
When asked about his involvement in ACBU, Bulver said that he initially applied to be more involved on campus and to have his voice heard by being part of the event planning team. Now ACBU has become one of the most important activities that he’s involved in on campus.
Along with other lighthearted events, Bulver believes it is important to shine spotlights on some critical issues.
“I think critical issues also brings light and puts it into perspective a lot of things for people that are living on college campus that might not think about the things that relate to critical issues,” Bulver said.
Mikki Tran, president of ACBU, agrees that the position is necessary to have on campus.
“It creates awareness on hard-hitting topics that are often times stigmatized or not educated on,” Tran said.
According to Bulver, he originally applied for the coordinator position to bring more LGBTQ speakers to campus. Consequently, LGBTQ issues are on his list of priorities to be addressed this year.
“[It] should be a position for anyone that is interested in bringing sensitive topics to campus, to be able to be talked about in a safe environment,” Bulver said.
According to Bulver, the executive board goes to the National Association of Campus Activities (NACA) conference every semester.
At NACA, they see different performers ranging from slam poets to lecture speakers. Then they make contact with the speakers they want to bring to campus.
Bulver believes that it is important to have speakers that cover topics like intersectionality, people of minority races and people with disabilities.
“Things like that, I think is really, really important for them to come in and be able to see that there are people who have these different things about them that are studying to be successful and also be able to come across with a very powerful message,” said Bulver.
Critical issues can discuss many topics and be brought to light in a variety of ways.
“Some past events have addressed the political climate of the country, mental health, the LGBTQ community, and gun violence,” said Tran. “All of these have been delivered in different ways such as slam poets, motivational speakers and small group discussions.”
Recently, critical issues hosted Ebony Stewart, a touring slam poet, Sept. 6. The Austin, Texas native is an active member of the slam poetry community.
“Honestly, I thought Ebony’s performance was incredible,” Bulver said. “It generated a lot of attention.”
Bulver said it was interesting to hear Ebony talk about a post-modern topic like sexual confidence.
“That was something that a lot of speakers don’t really address,” Bulver said. “She also talked about making yourself feel more confident in yourself in any kind of sexual encounter. Which, personally, I think is super important.”
Bulver feels critical issues open up students to diversified experiences, and allow them to make personal connections.
“Critical Issues is an unrecognized part of ACBU because it deals with the more difficult topics of life and society, but I think that everyone should go to at least one event or speaker that intrigues their interest so that they get to broaden their horizon and learn more about the world,” Tran said.
