Multicultural Affinity Spaces
MCLA recognizes the importance of community and belonging. We know how vital it is for students to feel seen and safe, both with other students that share their identities and in the wider campus and surrounding communities. The Multicultural Education Resource Center or MERC serves as a safe space for students of color to show up as their authentic self. This center aims to create connectivity among students who share the same culture or ethnic background. Programs that you can expect from this space are typically centered around cultural foods, music, and the expression of a diverse array of roots. Additionally, the center holds events and programs on topics such as police brutality, microaggressions, bias, advocacy, white privilege, and oppression with the hopes of educating the campus community. The MERC also promotes access to college and other resources, benefits, scholarships, internships, career development, and graduate programs.
To keep up with upcoming events, follow @merc.mcla on Instagram or email merc@mcla.edu to receive our monthly newsletter!
The Where & When
The Multicultural Education Resource Center
The Multicultural Education Resource Center is located in the Amsler Campus Center in Room 208. The MERC is open anytime the Campus Center is open!
The Empowerment Lounge
The Empowerment Lounge is located in Venable Hall in Room 309A. The lounge is a student run space that was created in 2018, by students who wanted to create a safe space for their community. The space was designed and created to allow students of color to be celebrated, comfortable and seen, while navigating the challenges of attending a Predominately White Institution. This lounge often hosts Multicultural Programing and Executive board meetings. Students often reunite in this space to be in community with one another; this space is further removed from central campus to create a safer space for intentional and private dialogue. It is open to students anytime Venable Hall is open.
The Prayer and Meditation Space
The Prayer and Meditation Space is located in Venable Hall in Room G08. This is a dedicated space meant for all students of all religious/spiritual beliefs to pray, meditate, and relax. It is open anytime Venable Hall is open.
Resources
The MERC has a variety of resources to help students grow and thrive, both personally and academically, including:
- Multicultural Library: Including a variety of fiction and nonfiction texts representing people of color; students have an array of resources at their fingertips for academic or personal use.
- Informational Resources: The MERC is dedicated to providing current and relevant information on a variety of topics and resources to support the wellbeing, sense of belonging, and empowerment of its students of color.
STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
The Multicultural Education Resource Center is home to a growing array of student-led organizations, including:
Asian Student Association
@asamcla
Asian Student Association provides a safe community to empower and inspire students
of Asian descent, as well as to educate the greater community about Asian experiences.
Black Student Union
@mclabsu
BSU serves as a representative for students of color, to encourage cultural diversity,
and bring forth cultural awareness to all students at MCLA.
Latin American Society
Latin American Society is a club that creates emphasis around building community with each other. The space is for those who either do or do not identify as Latinx and want to meet people who they can connect with from similar backgrounds, or just learn about the Latinx community.
Women of Color Initiative
The Women of Color Initiative (WOCI) provides a supportive community for students who identify as female and a person of color at MCLA. WOCI allows for fellowship, mentorship and team building and promotes the well-being and success of young women of color in college.
Men of Color Initiative
MOCI
The Men of Color Initiative (MOCI) provides a supportive community for students who
identify as male and a person of color at MCLA. MOCI allows for fellowship, mentorship
and team building and promotes the well-being and success of young men of color in
college.
Community Resources
There are also a variety of ways to connect with the local community and history!
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