MSC looking to change its culture on campus

The Multicultural Student Center is looking to diversify in more ways than one.

With an extensive plan that includes a revamped website, Twitter, Facebook and branching out to untapped campus communities, MSC is hoping to grab more of an audience and make UCF feel like home to anyone on campus.

"It is one thing to have a diverse campus with different types of people, but it's another thing to be an inclusive campus," Nelson Santiago, MSC coordinator, said. "MSC should be a melting pot of all culture on campus, from being part of the LGBTQ community or part of the dive club."

At the forefront of this organization's cultural revolution is a technology element: Twitter, Facebook and the organization's website. The new MSC website will go live in October, and the organization has big plans for their online presence.

"We are making the website more modern and user-friendly," junior MSC student director Melissa Westbrook said. "I want to put a fun-facts portion where they can learn interesting facts about cultures, but also use it as an events and promotion site. We are updating all the information so you can always get in contact with us and find ways to volunteer with us at any time."

In addition to the new website, MSC will continue to send out humorous tweets its members have grown to love. The organization's Facebook page will also play a more interactive role in promoting cultural events and information.

By reaching out to more under-represented and diverse communities on campus, MSC hopes to makes more connections and continue to develop at a rate to keep up with the student body, Santiago said.

Communities the MSC are looking to partner with include UCF alumni, student disability groups and the LBGTQ community. The list will continue to grow as the coordinator and student directors continue to promote MSC's vision around campus and receive valuable feedback from students.

Westbrook said that they are looking to promote creative volunteer opportunities through their leadership committee. The student coordinator said she aims to get people involved in Toms shoe foundation, the water crisis and the United Nation's World Food Programme's website, freerice.com.

The student organization has a full schedule for the next few months and is aiming to get the word out and participate in a number of events for causes like World Aids Day and World Sight Day.

The big changes for MSC all began this summer when new leadership took over. The center was moved under the Community Support Services umbrella, rather than being partnered with the Office of Student Involvement like it was in the past.

MSC looked at this change as an opportunity and began to reinvent its image, programs and partnerships with other organizations. Westbrook expressed excitement and optimism with these new involvements.

"We are trying to build Rome within a day," she said. "We got a new Facebook page, redid our Twitter, our whole program, our office. We are redoing everything we've ever done in the midst of one year."

This optimism is mirrored in Santiago's reflection on the recent changes. He is thrilled about the possibility of opening up the center's doors for positive involvements within the UCF communities and subcultures.

Santiago is also hoping that students will view the multicultural center like a home away from home.

"Interaction, meeting, talking – that is the big picture and part of the holistic development of students," Santiago said. "It's about putting together this diverse community in one place."