Multicultural Resource Center, fall 2021

Updated MRC Lounge space

During the summer of 2021, the Multicultural Resource Center (MRC) staff updated the physical center space to create a more welcoming environment for new and returning students. The rearrangement of several MRC spaces has led to the creation of a separate lounge and study areas within the larger lounge space and it has had very positive responses from users. This change will allow students to gather more within the MRC Lounge, particularly during the newly implemented weekly programs like Graduate Student Seminars and Cookies & Conversation (for undergraduate students).

New Student Connection Days

Throughout July, the MRC, alongside other departments in DEI, took part in the New Student Connection Days tabling and tour events during New Student Orientation. These events, which were held every day of the week in July (except Wednesdays), allowed the MRC to reach new, incoming students and connect them with the various services we offer. The MRC, along with DEI, was featured on the optional “Hidden Gems” tours that showed participants various places on campus that make Binghamton University unique. These tours were offered twice each day and the MRC welcomed one to two small groups per day.

Multicultural Resource Center’s transition back to in-person operations

The MRC’s new operational hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. All MRC professional and student staff have transitioned to working full time in the office. The center is now reopened with full access to MRC reserveable spaces, including the MRC Lounge, Conference Room, Multifaith Mediation and Prayer Room, and Resource Room. With the return to full, in-person operations, the MRC is now able to offer tabling at the Bartle Library breezeway, and offer resource requests through the multifunctional Resource Room. Both tabling and resource requests will be accepted beginning Sept. 15, and will be available online via BThere and JotForm, respectively.

In this quarter, over 80 individuals visited the MRC (not including student staff numbers); the Multifaith Meditation and Prayer Room has had 15 visitors.

Hiring of new MRC student staff and training

The MRC was able to successfully hire one new graduate assistant for administration; two graduate assistants and one graduate intern began their appointments in August 2021. All three students received training during the week of Aug. 16.

In addition to hiring graduate assistants for the 2021-2022 academic year, the MRC hired eight undergraduate student managers for the fall 2021 semester. All student staff received comprehensive training during the week of Aug. 16. The MRC hopes to also hire an additional student manager to help cover remaining shifts to ensure full coverage of the center, as well as one to two marketing interns.

MRC TIP provides translation services

During this quarter, the MRC’s Translation and Interpretation Program (MRC TIP) received one request for translation in Arabic. This quarter saw significantly fewer TIP requests than previous quarters, likely due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and summer break. The MRC TIP will begin to renew its contracts with six local school districts in Broome County this quarter. Additionally, the MRC TIP is recruiting new faculty, staff and student volunteers who will be able to assist with translations and interpretations this academic year. By fulfilling these services and updating contracts with the local school districts, the MRC TIP can continue to meet our assessment goals as outlined by our WEAVE system.

Pathways to Inclusive Leadership Program

The MRC, in collaboration with the Q Center and the UDiversity Educational Institute, has partnered with the Center for Civic Engagement, the Fleishman Center for Career and Professional Development, Residential Life and the School of Management to create the Pathways to Inclusive Leadership Program. (www.binghamton.edu/diversity-equity-inclusion/pathways/) The collaborative initiative between the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and the Division of Student Affairs will launch in spring 2022, and will give students from various class standings an opportunity to explore leadership from a diverse and inclusive perspective. The current framework for the program involves students taking part in workshops, trainings and/or activities in four categories:

1. Foundations of Leadership
2. Leadership in a Diverse World
3. Leadership in Your Career
4. Leadership in Civic Engagement

Students will be able to explore these different aspects of leadership, and apply it to their college careers. To contribute to the category of “Leadership in a Diverse World,” MRC staff are creating several workshops focused on educating students on issues related to multiculturalism and student leadership skills, including workshops on intercultural communication and bystander intervention.

The pathways program start date has been pushed back to the spring of 2022; however, the pathways planning committee will use the fall semester to work through underdeveloped areas of the program to ensure it is comprehensive, consistent and practical for students.

New Student of Color Mentoring Program

The New Student of Color Mentoring Program is designed to help new students of color familiarize themselves with the campus and develop bonds with other students, faculty and staff of color. This program was created to provide several forms of interactions to the existing networking between students and staff that incorporate hybrid delivery methods of resources. This is an expansion of already existing programs such as the New Student of Color Networking Event and provides additional support for students as they arrive on campus and throughout their matriculation. This mentorship program will help enhance the college experience for first-year students of color by:

• improving integration into the student’s selected field of study,
• reducing social barriers that impact motivation and persistence, and
• expanding the student’s network of developmental mentoring relationships for long-term persistence and positive achievement outcomes.

The New Student of Mentoring Program had two kickoff events for mentors and mentees, both current and prospective. In addition to the annual New Student of Color Networking Event held Sept. 9, the MRC hosted a New Student of Color Mixer Sept. 2, to provide additional opportunity for students to connect with students, faculty and staff in a casual setting. The event had a turnout of 17 participants. As a part of the New Student of Color Mentoring Program, “Let’s Talk” reopened for the fall semester. Let’s Talk is a free and confidential consultation opportunity for mentees with University Counseling Center Senior Counselor Arlene Arisme from 3-5 p.m. every Tuesday in the MRC.

B-College Bound Mentor Program

In collaboration with Upward Bound, the B-College Bound Mentor Program was implemented to expand the services and support provided to Upward Bound students to ensure their success in college attendance and enhance connections between Binghamton University and the local community. Our mentors serve as role models who are currently navigating college successfully and share similar experiences to Upward Bound students. Mentors provide academic, social and career support to Upward Bound scholars.

Responsibilities of mentors in this program include:

• providing weekly or bi-weekly one-on-one academic, social and career advising to Upward Bound students.
• hosting workshops to enhance Upward Bound student success and
• collectively planning one community partner event.

MRC signature events and initiatives

During the quarter, the MRC hosted several successful signature and special events and programmatic and workshop collaborations to serve the campus community, a few of which included:

• Intercultural Welcome Week Programming: In collaboration with the Student Association (SA) and Graduate Student Organization (GSO), the MRC hosted two Welcome Week events in the MRC Lounge. The first event was Bearcat Vision, an event for students to learn more about the campus and its resources while creating artistic vision boards to plan for their college career. The event, held Aug. 25, had 24 students in attendance. Students had positive feedback on the event.
• The second event was the Faculty Dialogue Panel: Motivation and Success, held Aug. 26, at the MRC Lounge. This panel featured four faculty members from campus: Myra Sabir, Titilayo Okoror, Gladys Jiménez-Muñoz and Moulau Ali Bouanani. The four faculty members held a discussion designed to provide students with tips on college success based on their own respective journeys. Five students attended the event. However, participants stated that they enjoyed the small, intimate dialogue with the faculty.
• Multicultural Extravaganza: As part of Intercultural Welcome Week, the MRC collaborated with the Student Association (SA) and Graduate Student Organization (GSO) to host the annual Multicultural Extravaganza. The event was held outdoors on the Peace Quad Sunday, Aug. 29, and featured tabling and performances from over 30 student organizations. This event allowed new and returning students to connect with various student organizations that are part of the multicultural community and learn more about what each group has to offer. It also allowed for the celebration of the multicultural community with cultural music and food. The event had an attendance of over 200 students.
• The Event: The MRC collaborated with the Newing Residential Community and the Q Center in planning a social mixer for students, faculty and staff who identify as queer Sept. 29, at the C4-Multipurpose Room. It featured tabling from the MRC, the Q Center and all the LGBTQ+-identifying student organizations. It was an ice cream social allowed participants to create milkshakes with the colors of the flag that represent their sexual orientation. Given the date of the event, the new Q Center assistant director and coordinator was able to attend to connect with students, faculty and staff who identify as queer.