CREATING A CAMPUS CLIMATE THAT VALUES DIVERSITY

Having our campus community be diverse does not ensure that we function effectively as an inclusive community that values diversity. This requires ongoing attention and deliberate work. Each year the campus holds a series of events that specifically focus attention on the increasing understanding of ways that diversity contributes to and enhances our community. Some of these events include:

• Share The Dream Banquet - Held annually in February to celebrate the success of College Now Students. Freshmen students are recognized for completing their academic program successfully and upperclassmen are recognized for their continued success, such as graduation and receipt of scholarships. College Now is an alternative form of admission designed to recruit students who have the ability to perform at the college level but whose academic achievements have been hampered by social or economic obstacles.
• International Student Orientation - The International Student Center holds this yearly event for all incoming international students. It gives an overview of on and off campus life, as well as support during the academic year.
• International Student Pumpkin Carving with Community Group International Friendship Families - Held yearly, the International Student Center sponsors a pumpkin carving event for international students and UMD community families.
• Pride Alliance Rainbow Recognition Awards - A yearly event sponsored by Pride Alliance. Honoring individuals who promote and foster gay and lesbian awareness and education.
• The African Conversations - The Frederick Douglass Unity House event held on September 10, 2003 titled "Liberia, Charles Taylor and the United States."
• Students of Color Pot Luck Dinner - The Frederick Douglass Unity House sponsored this event on November 24, 2003.
• International Women's Day and the 5^th Annual Chancellor's Outstanding Women's Awards - The Women's Resource Center sponsored this event. Dr. Afaf Melies, Dean, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing spoke about international women's health issues.
• Students of Color Graduation Banquet - This event honors students of color graduating seniors inviting guest speakers and celebrating with an awards ceremony.

      There are various University of Massachusetts Dartmouth student organizations and clubs that foster inclusion and diversity along with intellectual and emotional growth:

• Asian Student Association - As an Asian Student Association, the purpose is to develop a broad consciousness of Asian American community through a commitment of reclaiming their individuality, values, and characteristics as Asians, and/or Asian Americans.
• Cape Verdean Student Association (CVSA) - The purpose of this association is to introduce the Cape Verdean culture to the UMass Dartmouth community and to provide Cape Verdean students with personal advice in achieving their educational and cultural goals.
• Haitian American Student Association (HASA) - The Haitian American Students Association (HASA) of the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth defines itself as a student organization to help every Haitian student who does not know his or her culture well and to show others their culture.
• Hillel - The goals of this group is to stimulate interest and extend the understanding of the Jewish culture. It is a group where Judaism is celebrated through social, educational, and cultural activities.
• Indian Student Organization - The purpose of this organization is to promote friendship between American and Indian Students of this University, to bring together the Indian and American students under exchanged cultural programs and thus improve the mutual understanding between each other, help new students of this university to adjust to its social and academic environment, with emphasis on cultural transition.
• Muslim Student Association - The purpose of the MSA is to: 1) promote and organize religious services for Muslims of UMass Dartmouth and its community; 2) to organize lectures, meetings, and discussions on campus to increase awareness about Islam and its tenets; 3) to increase tolerance and understanding of Islamic views by addressing issues raised by any individual on campus about Islam; and 4) to council members and UMD community on various matters of importance in the light of Islam.
• Pride Alliance - The purpose of this organization is to ease the difficulty in accepting an openness regarding gay, lesbian, transgender and questioning students and queer issues, as well as aiding students in personal acceptance of homosexuality.
• United Brothers and Sisters - The United Brothers and Sisters of the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth defines itself as a student organization established to help ensure the successful representation of matriculation of students of color. The United Brothers and Sisters exist primarily to maintain the academic, political, psychological and social survival of students, faculty and staff of color. The purpose of this organization is to stimulate university interest and understanding of issues affecting people of color.
• United Latino Society - The United Latino Society of the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a student organization, which is committed to promoting the various ethnic and cultural experiences of the diverse Latino community of UMass Dartmouth. Through music, art, food, discussions, and poetry, ULS shares with the UMassD community the rich cultures of the Latino community; thus, contributing to the diminishment of stereotypes, and misconceptions about Latino cultures.