As spring semester kicks off, culture centers on campus have settled readily into the flurry of activity, planning, programming and events promoting fellowship and fostering diversity. \nThe centers seek to inform students of various ethnicities and racial backgrounds about topics relevant to their heritage while providing a permanent location for students to gather on campus.
Asian Culture Center\nLocated on East Tenth Street, the Asian Culture Center has planned nine events for January alone. A spring welcome reception will be held today at the center from 6 to 8 p.m., and students are invited Jan. 18 and Jan. 25 to the center for informal evenings of relaxation and fellowship.\n"We strive to put on programs which raise awareness and create a better understanding of the ethnic backgrounds and cultures of Asians and Asian Americans," Molly Jeon, programming and administrative assistant for ACC, said.\nStudents can also go to the facility to hang out in the lounge, study in the ACC library or reserve a room for a social gathering or conference, Jeon said.
Helene G. Simon Hillel Center\nThe Helene G. Simon Hillel Center is a Jewish cultural facility located on East Third Street. Hillel prides itself on being a religious and public organization, as well as a gathering place where students can relax.\nJunior Audrey Kutas, student president of Hillel, calls the center "the Jewish home away from home," largely due to the number of different facilities offered to students.\nStudents can eat in the Kosher Cafe, study in the library or work out in the fitness center.\nAmong the events planned for January is a lecture by David Gillette, a senior lobbyist for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, 7 p.m. Jan 14. For a more complete list of Hillel's programming options and activities, contact the center at 336-3824.
La Casa\nThe Latino Cultural Center (La Casa) is located on East Seventh Street. La Casa's purpose is to achieve greater historical, political, and cultural awareness regarding Latinos, as through educational and service programs, according to the center's Web site.\n The center has lined up an extensive list of academic programs, scholarship opportunities and events for January, including a Latino research presentation Jan. 16 and a Latino book club meeting Jan. 30.\n La Casa also provides many reasons to spend time at the facility. Homework can be done in the library, a television is available for recreation, and the computer facility allows students to stop by to check e-mail.\n"It is a place for students to be," John Morriberon, administrative assistant said.
Neal-Marshall Black Cultural Center\nThe Neal-Marshall Black Cultural Center is one of the newer cultural organization on campus. \nWith Oyibo Afoaku as the new director, the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center aims to have a significant impact on the IU campus.\nAfoaku told the IDS in a Dec 10 interview that he is "looking forward to working with different peoples, programs, departments and friends from the community."
The new center is slated to open Friday, Jan. 18. A more complete schedule of events will be available at that time. \nFor an in-depth look into the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center, see next Thursday's IDS.
