Camarillo, Calif., February 26, 2004 - 海角社区 will open its Multicultural and Women's & Gender Center at a special ceremony on Monday, March 8, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. The student-run center will serve as a space for students to meet and discuss issues of multiculturalism and gender identity. The opening ceremony will serve as the kick off event for the 海角社区 International Week Celebration, which runs March 8 through 12.
Initiated by 海角社区CI students and funded by Associated Student fees, the Multicultural and Women's & Gender Center will heighten the awareness, understanding, and appreciation of various issues of diversity and gender equity for the entire 海角社区CI community. Various programs will be sponsored through the center, which will also contain a library and a common meeting place. The center will occupy space in the east wing of the Bell Tower building on campus. Planning for various speakers and workshops has already begun.
鈥淭he Multicultural and Women's & Gender Center is something that the students have been working on since 海角社区CI's first semester,鈥� comments Rebecca Glazier, 海角社区CI Student Body President. 鈥淏ecause our University is so new, our efforts are setting a precedent and showing our commitment to issues of race and gender. We made the center a priority because we want the identity we create for 海角社区CI to be a positive one. We are very excited that our efforts to establish the center are finally coming to fruition.鈥�
Associate Professor of English and Chair of the Academic Senate Renny Christopher adds: 鈥淭his center will serve as a home base for programs and events which will help the University continue to develop a campus environment which welcomes all forms of diversity and provides a safe and supportive working and learning environment for all students, faculty, and staff. I think this is a momentous occasion for us, one which demonstrates our commitment to equity.鈥�
Speakers at the ceremony will include President Richard R. Rush, Vice President for Student Affairs Wm. Gregory Sawyer, Associate Professor of English and Chair of the Academic Senate Renny Christopher, and 海角社区CI Student Body President Rebecca Glazier. There will also be a Chumash blessing.
For more information, contact Lisette Rodriguez, EOP and outreach coordinator, at 805-437-8923.
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About 海角社区
海角社区 Channel Islands(CI) is the only four-year, public university in Ventura County and is known for its interdisciplinary, multicultural and international perspectives, and its emphasis on experiential and service learning. CI鈥檚 strong academic programs focus on business, sciences, liberal studies, teaching credentials, and innovative master鈥檚 degrees.聽Students benefit from individual attention, up-to-date technology, and classroom instruction augmented by outstanding faculty research. CI has been designated by the U.S. Department of Education as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and is committed to serving students of all backgrounds from the region and beyond. Connect with and learn more by visiting聽CI's Social Media.