The Multicultural Center, also known as the MCC, has been around since February 1994. For over 30 years, the MCC has served as a safe space for minority students, myself included.
On Nov. 3, students received a University Strategic Communication email stating that the MCC and the Center for Campus Life will be combined.
The email said, “The University is announcing a strategic realignment within Student Affairs, including the Center for Campus Life and Multicultural Center, which will now be called the Student Life Office.” This went into effect Nov. 8.
The email also stated the office will expand services to better align with the university.
The university has already taken down its DEI on the website. DEI stands for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. This policy plays a role in higher education. An example is creating a support center for minority students, like the MCC.
This center is home to most of the ethnic clubs on campus, like Black Student Union, Asian Student Union and Hispanic Student Union. So, combining it with the Center for Campus Life will defeat the purpose of having a safe space for students who go unnoticed.
Whenever I first came to USI, I didn’t have any friends and just went to class. Maybe I’d attend an event or two if I felt like it.
Then one day, Jada Hogg, who was the associate director and interim executive director of the MCC, said, “Jo, the only way for you to make friends is to come inside the MCC.”
Once I went in there, I found a support system and friends that I considered my family. Without the MCC, it feels like some students are losing a piece of their identity. Even though the staff members have their jobs, it still doesn’t feel the same.
Before the announcement, students could go in there, do their homework, talk to friends and even rant to the staff members about the craziness of the day. We can still do that, but there is a sorrowful vibe whenever you go in there and it just feels off.
The fact that students weren’t asked for their opinion is really bothersome to me. All we had was an email and a lot of unanswered questions.
There will be a listening session Thursday, Nov. 20, at 5:30 p.m. in Carter Hall, hosted by the Student Government Association, Student Affairs, and the Student Life Office.
Even though the MCC has done a lot of good for students that goes unnoticed, will this new realignment remember those students, or will we just be another number to them?