In this May 4 talk, Michael Chaffin will talk about the dynamic processes effecting Mars' atmosphere. Mars is now a desolate planet, but used to have a thicker atmosphere and flowing water on the surface. Learn about how the Sun's solar wind adversely effected Mars over time. 7:30 p.m. in the LSTB building (rm 299), located at 1234 Innovation Dr. in the CU-Boulder east campus research park. Doors open at 7 p.m. Free

Join Holly Norton, Colorado’s state archaeologist and deputy state historic preservation officer as she highlights some of the current work being done by the Bureau of Land Management, Forest Service, and US Fish and Wildlife Service to help preserve and protect Colorado’s shared cultural heritage. This free lecture will take place on May 4, 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the CU Museum of Natural History. This lecture is cosponsored by the Indian Peaks Chapter of the Colorado Archaeological Society.

Are you a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or allied student graduating this year or last semester? Please join us on May 3 for our annual Lavender Graduation ceremony at Abrams. We would love for you and your families and friends to come celebrate your achievement at our free graduation ceremony. The deadline to sign up is April 29. You'll get a certificate, a rainbow tassel, food and a wonderful performance by the Colorado Trans Community Choir & Arts Collective, as well as a speech by our keynote speaker, Sam Bullington.

The 2016 Will Power Festival, hosted by the Colorado Shakespeare Festival, is a celebration of students performing Shakespeare. 200 students from six BVSD elementary schools will visit the CU-Boulder campus on the morning of May 9 to perform Shakespeare's The Comedy of Errors in the University Theatre. The day also includes a short costumed parade, lunch in the Shakespeare Gardens, and opening and closing ceremonies with Will Shakespeare. The parade begins in front of Macky Auditorium at 9:45 a.m. Performances are 10:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Free.

How does social media shape our experiences and our work as writers? This introductory class, Creative Writing in the Age of Social Media (ENGL 1191-100), will explore the challenges and possibilities of writing creative nonfiction, poetry and fiction in the age of Facebook, Twitter and other social media outlets. Professor Ansley Clark, A Term 2016 MTWRF, 9:15 to 10:50 a.m. More info.

Uncommon Arrangements: Love in Modernist Fiction (ENGL 4039-051) will examine the representation of love and relationships in modernist novels published between 1910-1945, a period spanning the two world wars in which a radically new order of gender, sexuality and class relations coincided with innovations in literary representation. Professor Jane Garrity, Augmester 2016 MTWRF 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. More info.

No single book has had as great an influence on the English-speaking world as the Bible. In this course we will read parts of the Hebrew Bible and the Christian New Testament, focusing on their famous stories, poetry and wisdom writings. ENGL 3310-001 General Lit and Language: Bible as Literature. Prof. Sue Zemka, Maymester May 9-26, MTWRF 9 a.m. to noon, EDUC 138. Course description also for JWST 3310-001. Fulfills A&S Core: Ideals & Values. Details.

Let your voice be heard. Your voices matter to shape inclusion initiatives on campus, both in classroom, and in other areas of the university. If you identify as transgender, gender-fluid, agender, gender-creative, or non-binary please consider participating our campus climate survey. It only takes about 10 minutes and your responses will be kept anonymous For more information, please contact: ayla.engelhart@colorado.edu

International Coffee Hour, Fridays, 4 to 5:30 p.m., UMC Grill. Come for the free refreshments, stay for the conversations! This Friday, International Coffee Hour features the many languages spoken at CU-Boulder. Free refreshments and prizes each week.

Volunteer help is needed with the large group of new international students expected at CU-Boulder for fall 2016. If you would like to help, join the International Student Guide program. See how it works and get an application: http://www.colorado.edu/oie/isg. Applications are due by June 10. Questions? Contact issp@colorado.edu.