Inspired by Ray Browne, the founder of Popular Culture Studies at BGSU, this conference seeks to give “education a broader base and greater richness” through the exploration of why and how popular culture and class are interconnected. A scholar and teacher who saw popular culture as a tool to bring together the working-class students and the elitism of academia to create a new curriculum, Browne’s legacy of inclusion and effecting change is at the heart of this year’s Class Con.As class studies are often niche, invisible, or non-existent within many cultural studies programs, we hope to draw attention to the discipline and the broader need for class consciousness. By understanding and breaking down the structures and systems that uphold our modern class structure, this conference aims to make meaningful change both in and outside of the academic ivory tower. Specifically, with this conference we hope to brainstorm, workshop, and develop a pedagogic approach to bringing class studies into the classroom while also giving a voice to the students most impacted by economic uncertainties.Free Event Online and in PersonThis event is supported by the Stoddard and O’Neill School of Critical and Cultural Studies Fund and by:BGSU University LibrariesSchool of Cultural and Critical StudiesInstitute for the Study of Culture and SocietyDepartment of EnglishRay Browne Association (RBA)

This academic conference explores how popular culture and class are deeply connected. By highlighting the importance of class consciousness, we aim to spark meaningful conversations and practical ideas for change in and outside of the ‘ivory tower.’Join us for two full days of conference presentations, roundtable discussions, and workshops. Featuring Invited Speakers Heather Andolina: “The Melungeons of Appalachia,” and Daniel Burnfin, “Social Classes and Social Ontology: Reconsidering Some Classics of Political Economy.” Free event online and in person.

Guest Artist Kaitlin Miller, harp, will give a recital. Free and open to the public.LIVESTREAM LINK: https://youtube.com/live/_UrP77cCRAI?feature=sharePROGRAM LINK COMING SOON

An elevated staged reading directed by Claudette Jones

2025 New Student Housing Giveaway!25 lucky winners will get to pick a room in the residence hall of their choice before room selection officially begins, for themself AND a roommate of their choice! That's up to 50 winners – and the earlier you sign your housing agreement, the more chances you have to win!________________________How to EnterSign the 2025-26 Housing and Dining Agreement between Jan. 6 through April 30, 2025.You must be a new student admitted to BGSU for the Fall 2025 Semester to qualify.The month you sign your Housing and Dining Agreement determines how many entries you have into the contest. Each month five winners will be selected.Jan. 6-31 = 4 total entriesFeb. 1-28 = 3 total entriesMarch 1-31 = 2 total entriesApril 1-30 = 1 total entry​​​​​​​This year, an additional 5 students who sign their Housing and Dining Agreement on Jan. 6 will be selected to pick their room before selection!Complete your Housing Agreement TODAY!If you win, you can pick a bed in Centennial Hall, Conklin Hall, Kohl Hall, McDonald Hall, Kreischer or Offenhauer Towers – for yourself and one new BGSU student of your choice.New students who wish to live in Founders Hall must be members of the Honors Learning Community. Because of this, Founders Hall will not be available to select through this giveaway.The randomized drawing will occur by the third day of each month up until May 3. The Office of Student Housing will reach out to each winner through BGSU email and the phone number on file - make sure you have your voicemail box set up! If a winner doesn't respond within 24 hours, their right to the prize will be forfeited, and a new winner will be selected.Upon accepting the prize by picking a room before standard room selection, winners agree to participate in social media and other marketing efforts to promote the giveaway.When contacted, the Office of Student Housing will discuss with each winner how to select a room for themself and their chosen roommate.________________________Important Details:Students are not required to have their $200 initial housing payment made to be eligible to win. However, before any student can be assigned to a room, the initial housing payment must be paid.The additional student who is pulled into the room by a winner must have their housing and meal plan agreement signed and paid their $200 initial payment at the time of the room selection. They must also be a new incoming student admitted at BGSU to qualify.This prize does not offer any discount on the housing rate, and each student assigned to a room through this giveaway will be responsible for the full payment of the room in accordance with their student bill. Cancellations to the agreement by May 1, 2025, will receive a 100% refund and will not be billed. Cancellations after May 1, 2025, will be granted in accordance with the forfeiture schedule.If the winner does not submit an eligible student to be their roommate by the Office of Student Housing deadline, the remaining space will be forfeited.Once a student has won one of the 20 prizes, they will no longer be eligible to win the remaining prizes for this giveaway. Students who have agreed to be the roommate of one of the winners will also not be eligible.The beds selected by the winner and their roommate must be assigned to the same building. Any student who is assigned to a room through this giveaway does not have the right to their room assignment. If one of the students decides to do a room change into a different room/building or cancels their contract, the vacant bed will open up to standard room selection, and a random roommate may be assigned.Returning students who will be enrolled full-time at BGSU are not eligible to win. The Office of Student Housing is not responsible for prize notifications being marked as spam, junk or otherwise hidden from the recipient.

The Midterm Grading Period runs from Feb. 24-March 16.Midterm grades help you answer the question, “What would my final grade be if the semester ended today?” Instructors can submit grades at any time throughout this period, so you should check your grades often.Midterm grade details can help provide insight to adjust your academic performance.