2008 Woodie Awards
Cultures cross at modernized center
By: Amanda Drew
Issue date: 10/24/07 Section: News
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The Center for Multicultural and Gender Studies, located next to Selvester's Cafe-by-the-Creek, modernized its look last week with new furniture and a computer lab. Four paid interns were also hired to raise campus awareness about diversity and provide a comfortable space that welcomes students of all cultures.
"Everything has changed," said Jesus Torres, director of university affairs for Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan. "It has gone from a run-down room to a more spacious, professional space."
Torres said he wasn't planning on running again for director of MEChA this year until he heard about plans to transform the center from Charles Carter, associate director for student leadership.
"His vision for the new Cross Cultural Center made me excited," Torres said. "So here I am again."
Torres estimates that about 10 students frequented the center on a daily basis last year, but about 30 to 40 students are visiting after the changes.
"One of our goals is to build relationships with the campus community," Carter said.
He has been working with the interns to help them with recruiting, programming and getting students to utilize the center.
While the center primarily focuses on cultural organizations, anyone can use the computers or hang out with other students, said intern Jason Fitzer.
The staff is also in the process of developing an advisory board, and a leadership and diversity conference, he said.
"Things are still a little chaotic right now," Fitzer said. "But in a few weeks, we'll be up and running."
The classroom-sized center, now cluttered with boxes and office supplies, will be ready to present for the center's open house on Nov. 6, Fitzer said.
"The number of people coming in to just hang out has increased a lot the past few weeks," said intern Mario Carey.
He thinks the new computers and couches make the center a better environment for students to study and interact with other students.
Although the center has been in the same location since 1986, it will soon move. The multicultural center will become the Cross Cultural Center when it moves to the current Educational Opportunity Program space in the bottom of Meriam Library, after the Student Services Center opens next spring.
The Multicultural Affairs Council, the Activity Fee Council and the Bell Memorial Student Union have pledged $40,000 to make these changes happen.
"We want to provide educational opportunities for students to develop a center people would be proud of," Carter said. "That shift is happening now."
Amanda Drew can be reached at adrew@theorion.com
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