The Program Board will sponsor Unity Week March 8-12 for the first time in two years in an attempt to unite GW’s diverse campus.

Ni-Cheng Liang, PB multicultural affairs chair, said she does not know why the event was not held the last two years but is optimistic about this year’s turnout. She said the week’s events will be a good way to unite students.

“It is a great way to confront the issues that have separated us,” she said.

Unity Week begins Monday with a blood and bone marrow drive sponsored by the American Red Cross. The event, which will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Marvin Center room 403, seeks to “unite the campus through giving the community an opportunity to join and help others,” according to a PB press release.

A lecture by author and playwright Bijan Bayne will follow the blood and bone marrow drive. Bayne will be lecturing as part of the Jackie Robinson lecture series commemorating the integration of sports in America.

Candace Gingrich, half-sister of former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, will lecture about “Homophobia & the Fear of Coming Out” at 7 p.m. Tuesday in Marvin Center 403. The event is co-sponsored by GW Pride, formerly known as the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Alliance.

A panel discussion entitled “Spiritual Values: A Road Towards Unity” will give participants the chance to discuss the decline of values in modern society at 6 p.m. Wednesday in the Marvin Center theater. Panelists will include United Religion Initiative President Claes Nobel, Yvonne Scruggs-Leftwich, director and CEO of the Black Leadership Forum, and United Nations representative Sister Gayatri Noraine.

Also Wednesday, Korean-American comedienne Margaret Cho will perform at Lisner Auditorium. TicketMaster will distribute free tickets to the event at a later date. The event is co-sponsored by the Student Activities Center.

All events will be free for the GW community and open to the general public.