Torero Tidbits: Build Peace Conference; DACA; May Gallery Exhibit Opening; Big Contests for Volleyball, Football

The Kroc School at the University of San Diego — as well as parts of Tijuana, Mexico — will be hosting the 2019 Build Peace Conference Nov. 14-16. This year’s theme is “Borderlands: Dividing and Bridging Communities with Technology, Storytelling and Arts.”

According to the Build Up website, — Build Up is a nonprofit organization and creator of Build Peace conferences — this year’s event description is as follows: “Borders — whether physical, social or digital — and their creation are often at the center of dynamics of oppression and can be root causes of violence. They can also be the center of connection between divided communities. The Build Peace 2019 conference will focus on peace, conflict and the resilience fostered along borders, examining how social innovation through technology, storytelling, and the arts can both create and bridge divides. How can technological, storytelling, and artistic innovation increase physical, social and digital divides? How can technological, storytelling and artistic innovation help bridge physical, social and digital borders?”

Tickets for this event range from $125 for a one-day ticket to $350 for the entire conference weekend. For more information and to register, visit this webpage.

Day of Action Supports the DACAmented/Undocumented  

Called a “Day of Action,” USD students, administrators, faculty and staff gathered in front of the Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice’s Garden of the Sky area to stand in solidarity with the DACAmented and Undocumented community on Wednesday.

The event, sponsored by the Associated Student Government in collaboration with USD’s DACAlliance and the campus chapter of Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan (MEChA), was an opportunity for a few DACA students to share their stories and allies to also voice their support.

There were also a few information tables — the Karen and Tom Mulvaney Center for Community Awareness and Social Action and University Ministry — on hand to provide student resources for undocumented students on campus and upcoming special UM events to dialogue, raise awareness, and understanding. There was a community art project present, too. Attendees wrote messages of hope and support on paper butterflies to place on a large board.

Many supporters wore t-shirts with the hashtag #homeishere

New David W. May American Indian Gallery Exhibition Opens Nov. 15 

“There is Hope if We Rise: Protest Posters from AIM to DAPL” is a new exhibit for the David W. May American Indian Gallery at USD. The exhibit, which runs Nov. 15, 2019-May 8, 2020, consists of more than 40 compelling graphics documenting a half century of political action — from, roughly, the occupation of Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay to violent protests over the Dakota Access Pipeline in Standing Rock.

Taken together, these prints demonstrate the urgency of challenges faced not only by contemporary Native Americans, but by North Americans as a whole.

The exhibition includes images by both well-known indigenous artists as well as by anonymous, spontaneous poster makers. From beautifully silkscreened images to print-on-demand files, this display suggests the widest conceivable variety of work made to confront an equally wide array of crises. The installation also includes a timeline of events and creative responses to these events developed by USD student Cara Treu (’19).

An opening reception for the exhibit is Thursday, Nov. 14 from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. A gallery tour and poster workshop will take place for all in attendance. Light refreshments will be served. RSVP not required.

Located in Saints Tekakwitha and Serra Hall 214, the May Gallery is open Monday through Friday, noon to 5 p.m. The gallery is closed for all university holidays, which include Nov. 27-29 for Thanksgiving and Dec. 14-Jan. 26 for winter intersession.

This Weekend in Athletics: Volleyball Showdown; Football Seeks PFL Title

Two of USD’s top fall sports programs, women’s volleyball and football, are busy preparing for opponents who stand in the way of their championship goals this weekend.

Volleyball: On Friday night, 7 p.m., in the Jenny Craig Pavilion, the USD volleyball team will host BYU in a West Coast Conference showdown of its top two squads. It is a match-up of nationally ranked teams as the No. 10 Cougars (22-3 overall, 13-1 WCC) visit the Toreros (20-5, 13-1), who re-entered the AVCA Top 25 Coaches poll this week at No. 24.

USD topped BYU in a five-set match in Provo, Utah on Oct. 18 in their first WCC meeting this season. BYU holds a slight 10-8 lead in the all-time series. USD’s road win at BYU in 2019 marked the first BYU home loss since USD did it in 2017. BYU, which swept last year’s two matches, has won the last two matches played in the JCP and three of the last four dating back to 2015. The only time USD has swept BYU in a season was 2011.

Football: On Saturday at 2 p.m. in Torero Stadium, the Pioneer Football League’s juggernaut, San Diego, will seek a share of its sixth consecutive PFL title when it hosts Morehead (Ky.) State.

With a win on Saturday, San Diego (7-2 overall, 6-0 PFL) will clinch not only a share of the PFL title but also it would be the program’s eighth title this decade and 11th overall. The automatic berth into the FCS playoffs goes to the PFL champion.

Besides the title-clinching opportunity, San Diego can extend its Division I nation-leading, longest active conference winning streak, which is currently 35 games. San Diego, which is 12-0 all-time against Morehead State (5-5, 3-3), closes out its PFL schedule and regular season at Jacksonville on Nov. 23.

— Compiled by Ryan T. Blystone