Multicultural Student Groups - Denison University

Multi-Cultural Student Groups (MCSGs)

Do you want to get to know exciting people? Share your ideas? Be challenged to go beyond yourself? No one understands more than the people who know where you're coming from.

The 16 student groups listed below function independently with their own respective executive boards. However, throughout the year, many collaborations [pdf] between the groups occur and are continuously encouraged and supported. In addition, many Denison students are involved in two or more multi-cultural student groups.

The Office of Multi-Cultural Student Affairs also works with each of the student groups and is currently in the process of helping all groups facilitate better communication within and among the multi-cultural student groups, as well as providing resources to the leadership structures already in place. Denison encourages you to join with domestic students of color, international students, or other special interest groups, in one of our influential shared interest student organizations. You'll be surprised what you can accomplish just by working together.

African Student Association (ASA)

Purpose Statement: We the African Student Association endeavor to make the presence of African Students known to promote African Awareness and to create a comfortable environment for African Students at Denison University.

An Alliance Reinventing Tradition (aART)

Purpose Statement:

An Alliance Reinventing Tradition strives to preserve, promote and present urban arts and culture. We seek to empower young adults and their communities through self-expression and literacy, through creative writing and performance. Our process emphasizes artistic development, mentorship, and a creative safe space, where everyone's voice matters. We believe that through their words, the young adults can promote tolerance and remove barriers to transform their lives and society, as well as using their writing and performance as a vehicle for intergenerational and cross-cultural dialogue.

Asian American Student Union (AASU)

Purpose Statement: The Asian American Student Union was created to meet the social, political, cultural, and educational needs of the Asian American community at Denison. This club provides a cultural safe space for Asian Americans as well as those who identifies or are interested in the culture. The AASU provides this cultural safe space through programming, education, and dialogue.

Asian Culture Club (ACC)

Purpose Statement: We, the members of the Asian Culture Club acknowledge the presence of the Asian community on campus and those who are interested in Asian culture and tradition. We shall promote Asian awareness to the Denison community and support those in the Asian community.

Black Student Union (BSU)

Purpose Statement: The overall purpose of the Black Student Union is to provide support for the black and multicultural students at Denison University and to commemorate the history and struggle of such groups as we progress toward higher goals. The organization exists not only for black students but for any person who believes in the mission of the organization. With this in mind, we focus on building community within while doing the same for the larger Denison community.

Deaf Culture Awareness Club (DCAC)

Purpose Statement: A club dedicated to the advancement of deaf culture awareness and education at Denison University. Weekly sign language classes, close interaction with Ohio School for the Deaf, after-school sign language program for elementary students, and campus events are all core components of our organization! All are welcome to join and participate in the various activities through out the year!

Denison International Student Association (DISA)

Purpose Statement: To promote diversification of the Denison campus; To assist in the acclimation of foreign students to the Denison community; To be a voice for the interests of the international community and to support policies that promote those interests; To further international awareness on the Denison campus and in the greater community; Or to put it more simply, we feel that DISA exists to promote a sense of international community on the Denison Campus. By international community, we mean to promote the concept that we all exist within a global community that is constantly becoming more connected and growing closer together. We see the Denison campus as a place with much potential for embracing the concept of a global community.

German Culture Society (GCS)

Purpose Statement: The German Culture Society (GCS) shall encourage interaction among Denison students interested in German language and culture, to establish contact with other student organizations, and to enhance and expand the German program outside of the academic curriculum.

Global China Connection (GCC)

Purpose Statement: Help promote the common goals of sustainable development, social entrepreneurship, and international communication between China and Western communities.

Hillel

Purpose Statement: To provide a sense of Jewish Community on campus as well as stimulate discussion and provide understanding of the Jewish faith.

La Fuerza Latina

Purpose Statement: We, the Latino Community of Denison University, endeavor to make the presence of Latino/a students known at Denison University, to promote Latino/a awareness of campus issues within the Denison community, and most importantly, we wish to create a comfortable environment for Latino/a students within Denison University. We intend to support our Latino/a students and staff members academically, socially, and from all forms of institutional, academic, gender, and social discrimination that is found at Denison University and abroad. Our intentions make it a priority to have a cultural exchange between all students of different backgrounds without the exclusion of the majority of Denisons students. We want to protect the interest of Latino/a students through active participation in campus governance (DCGA), academic departments, student run organizations, and scholastic endeavors. Ultimately, we resolve to serve as the main voice for the interests of Latino/a students at Denison University.

Middle Eastern Cultural Organization (MECO)

Purpose Statement: MECO's purpose is to introduce Denison students to the diverse culture of the Middle East. The Middle East has a rich identity. The organization aims to show students a side of the Middle East that is rarely exposed to society and to correct any misconceptions or stereotypes that students may have had previously.

Multicultural Dance Collaborative (MCDC)

Purpose Statement:

The mission of Multicultural Dance Collaborative is to provide the Denison community with student led classes that create a chance to learn about world dances and their histories. We encourage members to be open-minded, accepting and respectful of differences and enthusiastic for world cultures.

Muslim Student Association (MSA)

Purpose Statement: The Muslim Student Association is dedicated to establish and maintain relationship with the greater Denison University community . Most importantly, the MSA is committed to support and provide service for the Muslim students on campus and other members of Denison community who expressed interest in learning more about Islamic religion and its very unique culture.

Outlook

Purpose Statement: Outlook is an organization that is committed to educating the campus about GLBTQA issues and offering support to those who need it, as well as creating a safe and social space where students can embrace and explore their sexuality and gender expression. Through engaging speakers, open dialogue and social activism we strive to encourage and promote a more diverse and educated environment on and off Denison's campus.

Students of Caribbean Ancestry (SoCA)

Purpose Statement: This is an organization created by Haitian students on Denison's campus and is open to all Denison students and community members. Our mission is to celebrate, spread and increase knowledge of the unique history and culture of all the Afro-Caribbean Islands to the Denison community; to promote discussion on contemporary, political and social issues and to foster a better understanding Caribbean Island cultures. We wish to strengthen the relationships both among club members and the Denison community, to assist all Afro-Caribbean students and all other Denison students who share the common interest of the Afro-Caribbean Islands. Our organization will hold cultural events that educate those willing to learn about the Afro-Caribbean Islands.

Sustained Dialogue (SD)

Purpose Statement: Denison University's Sustained Dialogue is an organization dedicated to fostering discussions and relationships that focus on issues of diversity of class, age, gender, sexual orientation, race, religion, political ideation, and region among students. Sustained Dialogue shall serve as a catalyst for bringing together different types of people and opening lines of communication between different groups. It is a talk with a purpose that focuses on strained community relationships and builds capacity between group members to formulate action to improve them. Each group consists of ten to twelve people and is led by two moderators.

Urbane Dance Crew

Purpose Statement: This organizations purpose is to educate the campus community by expressing ourselves in the art of dance through hip hop culture. Provide training and performing experience for committed students.

Other Groups

In addition to the multi-cultural student groups listed above that directly work with our office, other groups on campus exist which involve multi-cultural student group leaders and members, other Denisonian students, and faculty and staff.

Cross-Cultural Community

Beginning September 2012
Twice per month, with one meeting dedicated to MCSGs
Contact: Mr. Mark Anthony Arceño, arcenom@denison.edu

Denison Religious Understanding

Beginning September 2012
Mondays from 5:00pm-6:15pm
The Open House (204 N. Mulberry St.)
Vegetarian dinner promptly provided at 5:00pm
Contact: Rev. Mark R. Orten, ortenm@denison.edu

Listening for a Change (L4C)

Beginning September 27, 2012 (Deadline to register: September 14, 2012)
Typically, every fourth Thursday of each month
Kick-off: September 24, 2012, from 4:30-5:15pm in Slayter Auditorium
Contact: Mr. Mark Anthony Arceño, arcenom@denison.edu
Website & Registration

Sister-Leaders in Dialogue

Beginning September 2012
Typically, every other Friday from 11:30am-1:00pm
Shepardson College Room (4th floor of Slayter Union)
Contacts: Dr. Toni King, kingt@denison.edu; Dr. Sonya Turner, turner@denison.edu

The Amava Dialogues

Beginning September 2012
Typically, every other Tuesday from noon-1pm
Contact: Mr. Mark Anthony Arceño, arcenom@denison.edu
Kickoff Poster [pdf]

Gateways