New MultiCultural Center Opens in the University Union

By: Jenna Brown on Feb 20, 2019 in Campus News

The Cal Poly Cross Cultural Centers (CCC) MultiCultural Center (MCC) has moved into a modern, renovated space on the first floor of the Julian A. McPhee University Union. In collaboration with Associated Students, Inc. (ASI), the new MCC features a welcoming living room with comfortable seating, one full-time office, six desktop computers, counter and laptop space, a meeting table, and a kitchenette with a refrigerator and microwave.

The center aims to provide an educational space that empowers diversity and uses social justice as a foundation for its commitment to the recruitment, retention, and success of underrepresented students. ASI provided $650,000 to fund the new space. A soft opening will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 26 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. during the MCC’s Talk About It Tuesday event with a grand opening celebration planned at a later date.

“The new MultiCultural Center was a collaborative effort between students and staff from the MCC and ASI Student Government dating back over two years,” Danielle Diele, chair of the University Union Advisory Board (UUAB) and agricultural business senior, said. “From the beginning, the goal of the project was to create a new and welcoming space for underrepresented students while also supporting the diversity and inclusion efforts of campus.”

MCC staff and Student Government leaders began talks in 2017 following a recommendation from the UUAB to relocate Cal Poly Rose Float from their office in the University Union closer to their lab space in Building 50L. The UUAB unanimously voted to recommend ASI collaborate with Dean of Students’ staff to form an advisory council consisting of a diverse group of students and staff members to gather input on the space. Following a review of the feedback, the council recommended that the former Rose Float office should serve as the new home of the MCC.

“It was a fantastic experience to work with students of various backgrounds, campus administration, and a local architecture firm to create and design this space,” Diele said. “I look forward to seeing the impact this space has on the University Union and campus community.”

“We couldn't be more excited to open a new space for the MultiCultural Center that mirrors the robust diversity, beauty, and culture that our students bring to Cal Poly,” Beya Montero-Makekau, lead coordinator of multicultural initiatives, said. “We are currently operational and look forward to having a small soft opening in partnership with our Talk About It Tuesday event on Feb. 26.”

Follow the MCC Facebook, MCC Instagram, and ASI Student Government Facebook for more information about the new MCC and grand opening celebration happening soon!

Students sit while studying and on their phones in red lounge chairs in the new MultiCultural Center

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