Reproductive Policy Shocks and Defensive Investments in Contraception
2026-02-19 12:00 - 13:15 (America/New_York) | JC 206
The Economics Department seminar will feature Joanna Venator from Boston College, who will present her paper, “Reproductive Policy Shocks and Defensive Investments in Contraception.”

Abstract:

Do policies that restrict abortion access impact contraceptive choices? We use Planned Parenthood data in a difference-in-difference design to show that both realized and expected restrictions increase take-up of more effective contraception. We then estimate a dynamic model of contraceptive choice in which women trade off efficacy against monetary costs and preferences for method attributes. Restrictive policies induce women to upweight efficacy relative to other characteristics. Eliminating abortion access and insurance coverage for contraception reduces realized lifetime utility for 57% of women with an average loss of $2,080, while providing free abortion and contraception increases utility for 85% of women.

Beyond Establishing Guilt: The Uses of Microhistory to Rethink the Yugoslav Wars
2026-02-19 12:00 - 14:00 | Strassler Center, 950 Main Street, Worcester, Massachusetts, 016010, United States
Speakers:

Max Bergholz (Professor of History at Concordia University)

Fedja Buric (Associate Professor of History at Bellarmine University)

Sandra Grudic (Program Administrator, Educator Outreach, Davis Center, Harvard University)

Discussant: Markp Kljajic (Posdoctoral Fellow, Weatherhead Research Cluster on Identity Politics)

This event explores how a micro historical approach can deepen our understanding of the Yugoslav Wars of the 1990s. Moving beyond and interpreting ICTY records and elite political accounts differently, it foregrounds local voices and everyday experiences to illuminate the complex dynamics of conflict at the community level. By engaging with sources such as oral histories, local archives, and court records, the discussion will focus on how ordinary people understood and experienced the war in ways that complicate nationalist narratives of fixed victimhood and perpetration. The workshop emphasizes the value of looking at the war “from the ground up” to reveal how communities navigated violence, solidarity, and survival. In doing so, it highlights the potential of microhistory not only to challenge linear, top-down interpretations but also to complicate the historiography of the Yugoslav Wars by centering human experiences that nationalist discourses often erase. Thomas Kuhne will moderate the discussion.

Sponsored by the Strassler Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies

Climate Change and Water Security in Central Mexico: Integrating GIS Water Balance and System Dynamics
2026-02-19 12:15 - 13:15 | ASEC 202
Ravi Hanumantha, Visiting Assistant Professor, Department of Sustainability and Social Justice, Clark University

Dr. Ravi Hanumantha is an environmental scientist and policy expert specializing in climate change, water resource modeling, and interdisciplinary sustainability. He recently completed his Ph.D. in Environmental Science and Policy at Clark University, where his dissertation focused on climate change and water resource modeling for Central Mexico.

His research integrates system dynamics, ML-aligned geospatial analysis, and stakeholder engagement to address urban climate resilience and water security. Dr. Hanumantha brings a unique perspective by blending his recent academic work with over a decade of experience as a Lead Scientist at General Electric (GE), where he specialized in materials science and sensor technology, resulting in several patents.

At Clark, he currently teaches courses in GIS, system dynamics, and sustainable development, while mentoring students in data-driven environmental forecasting and climate justice.

ISSO Advising Session for School of Business Students
2026-02-19 13:00 - 14:30 | Carlson Hall 003, 950 Main St, Worcester, MA, 01609, United States
International students in the School of Business are invited to join this advising session with International Student Advisor Ninette.

This session provides an opportunity to ask questions and receive guidance on topics such as immigration regulations, employment options, maintaining status, and navigating your academic experience as an international business student.

Students are welcome to drop in, ask questions, and get personalized support.

SLICE Drop-In Hours with Peyton
2026-02-19 16:00 - 17:00 | Asher Suite, UC
Got a quick question? Stop by the Asher Suite (3rd floor of the UC) to chat with Peyton, Assistant Dean/Director of SLICE, during their office hours. If you have a more detailed question or would like a longer conversation, please schedule a meeting with Peyton by sending them an email at PeWu@clarku.edu.

Queer and Trans Student of Colour (QTSOC) Affinity Space
2026-02-19 16:30 - 17:30 | Dana Commons – Fireside Lounge
Queer & Trans Students of Color (QTSOC) seeks to support students in exploring the intersectionality in their lives with a particular focus on race, gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation.

Open Mic by PEC!
2026-02-19 19:00 - 20:30 | The Grind, UC
Join PEC for an open mic on the 3rd Thursday of every month. Play some music, recite some poetry, do a stand-up comedy set – all acts are welcome!

Clark University Undergraduate Student Council Executive Board Debate (Open to the Public)
2026-02-19 19:00 - 21:30 | Tilton Hall, UC
The Clark Undergraduate Student Council E-Board Debate offers a platform for executive board candidates to present their goals, share their vision for campus, and respond to questions from the student body. Candidates for positions such as President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer engage with students on important issues, leadership values, and plans for student life. The debate encourages transparency, promotes accountability, and aims to strengthen the connection between student representatives and the student body. Students gain a clearer understanding of who’s running and what each candidate primary goals are. CUSC Public Comments Form.

Guest Speaker: Brian Swett
2026-02-20 15:00 - 16:00 | ASEC 303
Brian Swett is the City of Boston’s first Chief Climate Officer. In addition to overseeing the Environment, Energy, and Open Space Cabinet, as Chief Climate Officer, Brian is charged with spearheading the Mayor’sbold agenda on climate action throughout the City while advancing Boston’s commitment to sustainability,resilience, and environmental justice. Brian is a nationally recognized leader in climate change and sustainability strategy with over two decades of leadership experience in municipal government, private sector real estate development, federal government, and non-profit sectors.

This is part of the CES 305 Online Speaker Series, with Professor Eman Lasheen

Friday Night Magic (and other card games)
2026-02-20 18:00 - 20:30 | Asher Suite, UC
Come join us to play Magic the Gathering and any trading card game you like! People of any skill level are welcome, more experienced players are always happy to lend a hand no matter the game.

On the Brink: Song Cycles from Fin-de-Siècle Vienna
2026-02-20 19:00 - 21:00 | Razzo Hall, Traina Center for the Arts, 92 Downing St, Worcester, MA, 01610, United States
Professor Cailin Marcel Manson, baritone, will present a program of works by Wolf, Webern, and Mahler, accompanied by pianist Yelena Beriyeva, distinguished artist and director of Clark’s chamber ensembles.

This event is free and open to the public, or you can watch the livestream of the program on the Visual and Performing Arts Department’s YouTube page.

Playfest: Die Krankheit
2026-02-20 19:00 - 21:00 | Experimental Theater, Little Center, 12 Charlotte St., Worcester, 01610
Die Krankheit, or, “The Illness,” was written by Sylvia Sammon-Burns, and is directed by Gino DiIorio. Gregor returns home to spend Christmas with his family, and in doing so, he becomes embroiled in an unlikely plot with Sophie, his lost love. Set in the waning years of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Gregor and Sophie must navigate family secrets, betrayal, and the desire for freedom.

Tickets are $10.00, or free to students with a valid Clark ID. All tickets must be reserved through the Visual and Performing Arts Department’s Ticketsource page, linked here.

February concert
2026-02-20 19:00 - 22:30 | The Grind, UC
Fall in love with PEC on Friday, February 20th. Join us for some lovely live music in the grind!

Pickleball Club Open Play
2026-02-20 20:00 - 22:00 | Pickle Ground
Join us at the PickleGround (512 Main St, Holden, MA 01520) for open-play pickleball!! Paddles and balls are provided, and transportation can be coordinated. This session is free and open to all levels. Spots are limited and an RSVP is required. Please RSVP via the link in our Instagram bio or through the link sent to our email list by Wednesday. Confirmations will be sent on Thursday. Join our Engage group and follow us on Instagram @clarkupickleball to stay updated. Feel free to reach out with any questions!!

NACKC Seminar with Patrick Hickey
2026-02-21 12:00 - 17:30 | Bickman Multipurpose Room, Kneller Athletic Center
This seminar with Hickey Sensei is for all contributors to the North American Collegiate Karate Conference. It will focus on the study of the history and formation of Karate, and the core principles of the art.

Mystery Games & Graphic Novels
2026-02-21 16:00 - 18:00 | Rosenblatt Conference Room
A cryptic note left for you about a bunch of different games and books. Pick one and see what is really hidden behind the note. This event is supposed to push you out of your comfort zone for games and comics. You might read or play a genre you haven’t before or have experienced a little bit of.

Lunar New Year
2026-02-21 19:00 - 21:00 | Tilton Hall
TBD

Clark Keys/Clark Bars/Counterpoints Invitational
2026-02-21 19:00 - 22:00 | Atwood Hall – Daniels Theater
A collaborative show featuring Clark’s 3 a cappella groups and a variety of other groups from different colleges!

Amateur Hour First Show
2026-02-21 20:00 - 21:30 | The Grind, UC
First show of the semester.

Pre-Health Conference
2026-02-22 09:00 - 16:00 | Tilton Hall

Terrarium Making with the Arboretum Advocates
2026-02-22 13:00 - 14:00 | Jonas Clark 001
Learn about terrarium ecosystems and make one of your own with the Arboretum Advocates! Containers will be provided but feel free to bring your own glass jar or other suitable container. Seeds will be available to help jumpstart the life inside your new ecosphere!

SLICE Drop-In Hours with Stacie
2026-02-23 13:00 - 14:00 | Asher Suite, UC
Got a quick question about making Purchase Requests, budget management, or club finances? Stop by the Asher Suite (3rd floor of the UC) to chat with Stacie, the SLICE Office & Budget Manager, during her office hours. If you have a more detailed question or would like a longer conversation, please schedule a meeting with Stacie using the QR code on her office door!

Southern Smash
2026-02-23 13:00 - 15:00 | Red Square
Join the Wellness Ambassadors in Red Square to smash a scale and quite literally break through body image stigma. The Southern SMASH aims to raise awareness about eating disorders and promote body positivity. Be sure to let all of your wonderful traits be seen at the Dare to Love Yourself booth and free yourself of limiting standards at the Let It Go booth!

J-1 Work Authorization/AT Workshop
2026-02-23 15:00 - 16:00 | via Zoom
Join our J-1 Work Authorization/Academic Training (AT) Workshop to learn about eligibility, application steps, timelines, and employment requirements. This session is designed to help J-1 students understand how Academic Training works and how to stay in compliance while gaining practical work experience.

Sisters in Stride (SIS) Affinity Space
2026-02-23 18:00 - 19:00 | Dana Commons – McCann Resource Room
An affinity space that centers women-identifying students of color who gather to create community and learn from shared stores, experiences & service.

SAS Homework Center
2026-02-23 18:00 - 20:00 | ASEC 213
Open to all students registered with SAS and their friends. Use this time to work independently, in a quiet space dedicated to doing homework. We will provide snacks, study tools, and more. Additionally, attendance at each night of this event will earn you one entry into our end-of-semester raffle – you can get one entry for each homework center, workshop, or other event!

Sprintax Nonresident Tax Webinar
2026-02-24 10:00 - 11:00 | Zoom
International Students will get help on filing taxes. In these tax webinars, international students, scholars and professionals will be run through everything they need to know about non-resident tax for the 2025 tax season. Topics will include who must file, tax residency, FICA, state returns, implications of misfiling as well as how to use Sprintax to prepare a compliant tax return.

Register here:

SLICE Drop-In Hours with Meghan
2026-02-24 15:00 - 16:00 | Asher Suite, UC
Got a quick question about leadership, club management, or getting involved? Stop by the Asher Suite (3rd floor of the UC) to chat with Meghan, Assistant Director of Student Leadership & Involvement, about a variety of topics. If you have a more detailed question or would like a longer conversation, please schedule a meeting with Meghan using the QR code on her office door! Specific questions about club events should be directed to campus_life@clarku.edu. Questions about club purchasing should be directed to clubpurchasing@clarku.edu.

From Data to Doubt: Understanding AI’s Cultural Impact
2026-02-24 16:30 - 18:00 | Higgins Lounge, 2nd Floor, Dana Commons, Clark University
Image by [your123]/stock.adobe.com

Due to the ongoing storm clean-up and current campus operations, this event will be open only to students and faculty from invited classes. We apologize for this change, but we look forward to welcoming you back to our public programming in March. Please watch for additional announcements coming soon!

Thanks to AI-generated media, Pope Francis became an unlikely fashion icon in a white Balenciaga puffer coat. A fake photo showing an explosion at the Pentagon caused widespread confusion and a brief stock sell-off in the US. And a track called “Heart on My Sleeve” gained millions of streams across platforms before it was removed due to copyright violation for featuring AI-simulated vocals by Drake and The Weeknd.

We are in an age shaped by artificial intelligence when images, sounds, and texts can be easily fabricated or altered. So how do we decide what counts as evidence, authenticity, or truth when even the most persuasive media may be synthetic? Is skepticism still a productive critical tool, or has doubt itself become something that can be manufactured and manipulated? Can we find a healthy balance between appreciating the potential benefits and creativity of AI content while objectively assessing its risk and impact? AI systems rely on massive amounts of people’s data and labor, as well as vast natural resources to produce its outputs. What are the consequences of this extractive model? Who has authority – and who profits – when these systems remain opaque?

Join us for a community conversation to examine the shifting relationship between media, artificial intelligence, and public trust at a moment when credibility feels increasingly unstable. Framed by the Higgins Institute’s symposium theme “I Don’t Believe You: Truth, Deception, and Doubt,” we will approach AI not merely as a technical innovation but as a cultural force that reshapes how belief and skepticism function in everyday life. Together we will explore AI’s roles across contemporary media ecosystems—social platforms, recommendation systems, automated agents, and deepfakes and generative art— and interrogate how these systems construct authority, obscure authorship, and invite both confidence and uncertainty.

This discussion will be facilitated by Professor Matt Malsky and the students of MCA 250 Deepfakes, Bots, and the Algorithmic Gaze. It is offered through the Digital Humanities Research Collaborative.

Admission is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be provided.

Careers in Local & State Government
2026-02-24 18:00 - 19:00 | ASEC 111
Curious about careers in public service? Join us for an engaging panel featuring professionals working in government. Hear firsthand about their career paths, the challenges and rewards of public service. Whether you’re considering a career in policy, administration, or community advocacy, this panel is a great opportunity to gain insights and network with professionals making an impact in government. Don’t miss out!
