A resolution endorsing the creation of a campus multicultural center was passed and signed into effect by ASNIC at a recent board meeting.
The center’s proposal, which has been a year-long project of ASNIC Senator Josh Swan and Vice President for Student Services Graydon Stanley, recommended that the college use current student fees to remodel the lower level of the Student Union Building (SUB) to accommodate office spaces for multicultural populations and turn the central floorspace into a “diverse common area that is welcoming to all students.”
“Where we’re at right now is that students support it, I support it, our division supports it and now the question is what it’s going to look like,” Stanley said.
Stanley said considerations for the center include a stage, a display space and lounge furniture. “I think it will be more of a refurbishing and redecorating than renovation,” Stanley said. “Think less wall moving and construction, and more just changing the flavor, feel and the utilization of the space.”
Rec Sports and Student Events moving to the upstairs of the SUB is also a possibility, though nothing is yet set in stone, Stanley said.
“We’re all really excited about it,” said Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) club member Brianna Tollackson,
18, Rathdrum, pre-med. “It would be huge to have a place where our members could go to feel safe and relax. I really hope this passes; I really hope this goes through.”
American Indian Student Alliance member Brock Boutain, 20, Otis Orchards, said he sees the center as an opportunity to unify clubs and students from across the campus.
“Just being down here and just interacting, I believe that will just definitely build a strong bond with everybody, and that’s
what this college needs, bonds between each student,” Boutain said. “I definitely believe unifying the downstairs will unify the culture of this college.”
Stanley said the concept of unity is so integral to the project, that including the word will likely be a major contender in the decision to name the center.
The idea for the center began to develop over a year ago when Swan originally approached Stanley with a vision of having an adviser and office space for the campus’ gay student population.
“One of the things I was really concerned about is that I don’t like when we talk about providing services for the things that make us different, I don’t like those to be segregated,” Stanley said. “I like for us to provide a supportive environment but not separate everyone.”
