At the Multicultural Center Open House on Friday, visitors will be exposed to more than just information about the student unions — they will also have the chance to meet the new faces joining the MCC and the International Student Association.
The MCC and all the student unions on campus will open their doors to students, faculty and visitors from the community Friday from noon to 4 p.m. in the MCC.
Students can receive food from Subway by visiting the various student unions and collecting posters at each stop.
Brandy Alexander, a junior journalism major and the public relations coordinator for the MCC, said the informal event will allow students to come and see the MCC in a relaxed state. Alexander said she expects more than 500 people to visit the open house throughout the day.
The MCC offers students of any ethnicity the opportunity to hear speakers and to attend workshops and presentations that focus on issues of race, gender, sexuality and different cultures.
Alexander said the open house is a chance for the various student unions to plug their meetings and social events for the year. The MCC events fall term range from the Dr. Coleman Speaker Series to the tailgate party before the Homecoming football game. Students will also be informed of MCC services such as free computers and printing for students, information about jobs on campus, internships, travel abroad programs and scholarships geared toward all students of color.
“The MCC has helped students get accustomed to campus and know the services that are provided for them and take advantage of those services,” Alexander said.
Alexander said that in her second year working at the MCC, she has seen improvements in the facilities and services the MCC provides. Multicultural Director Erica Fuller is a new addition to the MCC staff.
“The staff has provided a unique atmosphere for students of color,” Alexander said.
Annie Lo, a senior journalism major and international student from Taiwan, is working at the MCC for her first year as resource coordinator. She said the event will provide an opportunity for her to meet and become closer to the people who frequent the MCC’s lounge.
“All of us are having events, and this open house provides the mingling space necessary for the people of this hallway,” said junior theater arts and Spanish major Darlene Espinoza Dadras, who is an MCC programs advocate.
While the ISA will be participating in the MCC Open House on Friday, they will also offer students an official ISA Open House on Oct. 10.
The ISA, led by two new co-directors, has a handful of exciting opportunities planned for the year to bring together both international and American students.
“We just want to let students know we are here,” ISA Co-director Andreas Georgiades said. “Everyone is welcome.”
Georgiades, who came to the University from Cyprus, said he hopes the ISA will promote an interest in internationalism and diversity through the different events they have planned for this year.
Bai Yu, a sophomore economics major, is serving as the other co-director. Yu, who came to the University from China, said that this year the five ISA officers, each from different countries, have come together with a positive outlook for the year.
“We started off working together through summer not knowing each other,” Yu said. “We now feel comfortable working with each other, which is important in communications and working as a team.”
Yu said that she and Georgiades share their position as co-workers and friends.
Upcoming ISA events include a traditional Halloween Party on Oct. 28 and a coffee hour every Friday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.