A conversation with Olympian and NYU alum Tom Feng

12-1 p.m. on Zoom

Free, open to all members of the NYU community

Tom Feng, a U.S. Olympian, is joining an alumni panel hosted by the School of Professional Studies. Feng, who became the U.S. National Men’s Singles Champion at 19, played table tennis at the 2016 Rio Olympics and was team captain at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree at the Stern School of Business. 

A presentation on safety in New York City

1:30-2 p.m. on Zoom

Free, open to all members of the NYU community

The NYU Department of Campus Safety is hosting a virtual presentation about staying safe on NYU’s campuses and in New York City as part of Spring Welcome Week. 

An open house for NYU’s LGBTQ+ Center

1-2 p.m. on Zoom

Free, open to all members of the NYU community

LGBTQ+ Center Director Chris Woods, Assistant Director Christopher Griffin and student staff leaders are hosting a virtual open house to go over the center’s main programs, involvement opportunities, LGBTQ+ student groups, university organizations and additional resources. 

A gathering in support of the NYU Jewish Community 

6-6:30 p.m. on Zoom

Free, open to all members of the NYU community

A virtual gathering is organized in solidarity with NYU’s Jewish community after four hostages were held for about 11 hours at the Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas, on Jan. 15. Jewish institutions across the country have increased security in recent years due to a rise in antisemitic attacks.

A webinar on supporting Unaccompanied Immigrant Children and Asylum-seeking families

9 a.m.-12 p.m. on Zoom

$60 entry, open to the public 

The Silver School of Social Work is hosting a seminar about providing unaccompanied immigrant children and families seeking asylum with trauma-related mental health and medical resources.

The program will use case examples to help participants learn about the different stages of the migration experience by providing instruction in understanding and working with trauma. The seminar will also focus on trauma-informed services provided by Terra Firma, an award-winning mental health and medical-legal partnership specifically designed to work with immigrants and asylum-seekers.

The seminar will also be held in Spanish on Thursday, Jan. 26. 

A meeting on tackling climate change

7-9 p.m. on Zoom

Free, open to the public

350NYC is a collective of climate activists fighting for a sustainable future in New York City. The organization will be holding its monthly meeting to discuss strategies and solutions for reducing carbon emissions and fighting for climate justice. 350NYC previously pressured the New York City Council to pass a bill mandating Building Energy Efficiency, a series of regulations to keep energy usage in buildings limited.

A student government meeting

4-5 p.m. in the Global Center for Academic and Spiritual Life Colloquium Room

Free, open to all members of the NYU community

NYU’s student government is hosting its first meeting of the semester, which is open to the public. The executive committee announced plans on Jan. 12 to distribute masks, hand sanitizer and other personal protective equipment to the student body as the university returns to in-person instruction for the spring semester. 

A comedy show with free ice cream

7:30-10 p.m. at 167 Bleecker St.

$10, open to the public

Giggles N’ Cream, a monthly standup show featuring late night television, HBO and Comedy Central comedians, will take place at The Comedy Shop, formerly known as The Lantern Comedy Club. The show will be hosted by New York City-based comedian Riley Lassin, featuring Jason Choi, Jesse Eigner, Molly Kornfeld, James Pontillo and Jatty Robinson. 

A conversation with scholar Wang Gungwu

8-9:30 p.m. on Zoom

Free, open to all members of the NYU community

Wang Gungwu is a world-renowned historian, professor, author and recipient of numerous international awards. He is hosting a seminar at NYU Shanghai to discuss his two books, in which he reflects on his struggles with identity and belonging.

The conversation will be introduced by NYU Shanghai Provost and Silver Professor of History Joanna Waley-Cohen and mediated by Professor Tansen Sen and Dr. Celina Hung. 

A Tai Chi session in the park 

12-1 p.m. at Washington Square Park

Free, open to the public

Greenwich House, which offers programs in the arts, education and social services for the Greenwich Village community, is hosting a free Tai Chi session in Washington Square Park. The program is open to everyone and will be offered weekly on Fridays, starting the week of Jan. 24. 

A fundraiser for victims of the Bronx apartment fire

7-9 p.m. at 14 Wooster St.

Free, open to the public

The Black Wall Street Gallery, which aims to foster dialogue between Black and white communities for social and cultural understanding, is raising money through a lottery for victims of the recent Bronx apartment fire on Jan. 9. It costs $20 to enter the lottery and participants could return home with a piece of original artwork.

The Bronx fire, which resulted in 19 deaths and 44 injuries, has sparked outrage over the conditions that many lower-class and immigrant families live in — particularly in the Bronx, which has seen the city’s four deadliest fires in the past 30 years. During the winter, tenants did not have adequate heat and were forced to use their own space heaters, one of which started a fire on the third floor.

A rally for Asian American justice

2-4 p.m. at Foley Square

Free, open to the public

The New York City chapter of Stand with Asian Americans is hosting a rally starting at Foley Square in remembrance of victims of anti-Asian violence and racism. The protest will begin with a 45-minute speaking program, followed by a moment of silence at 2:45 p.m. in remembrance of the victims of anti-Asian hate, and then a street march.

The protest is part of a national rally on the anniversary of the death of 84-year old Vicha Ratanapakdee, a Taiwanese American man, who was murdered in San Francisco last year. It will also commemorate NYU alumna Michelle Go, who was pushed to her death in the Times Square subway station on Jan. 15. While her death is not being investigated as a hate crime, the incident sparked outrage among the Asian American community, which has faced numerous acts of violence in recent years. 

Contact Kristian Burt at [email protected] and Rachel Cohen at [email protected].