Center for Multicultural Relations

Welcome to The Center for Multicultural Relations!

Hello!, Barev! Maakyeè, Horas!, Sawatdi!, Ho Yat!, Annyong!, Konnichi Wa!, Bon Jou!, Supa!, Hau, Good Day!, Bula!, Kudeu!, Kasumai!, Yanela!, Shalom!, Ola! Aloha!, Use!, Kumuatas!, Sabaai-dii!, Hafa Adai!, Halito!, Ran allim!, Chao!, Namasteè!, Ngh on!, Zdravo!, Sewa!, Assalaam u alaykum! Ran allim!, Ci yi bak!, Yanela!, Naatuma,Oki!

Mission Statement:

The Center for Multicultural Relations serves students, student organizations and the Fairfield University community through leadership development and training, personal advisement and counseling; cultural activities and events; and organizational support. These programs are facilitated in collaboration with students, faculty, administrators, staff and alumni. The Center for Multicultural Relations views students as the central focus of the Jesuits University's tradition of "Cura Personalis".

Students are partners in creating and implementing co-curricula programming at Fairfield University. This shared task is achieved via student volunteer opportunities, student organizational involvement and the support and promotion of student decision-making.

The Center, through student influenced programs and activities fosters personal, spiritual and social development; promotes critical thinking skills and student leadership; develops nurturing and supportive networks; and grooms students for active professional involvement beyond the collegiate experience.

History of the Center

The Center for Multicultural Relations had its genesis in 1969 when a group of Black students negotiated with the administration to hire a Counselor for Black students and to recognize a Black holiday. This holiday evolved into the Dr. M.L. King, Jr., Holiday Observance & Human Relations Celebration. In 1988, the Office of Multicultural Relations was established and a plan to increase ethnic diversity and multiculturalism was implemented. The AHANA Student Council was organized in 1989 to provide leadership and representation for the AHANA student community. In 1995, the Center for Multicultural Relations officially began operations from a newly renovated central location. The Center provides leadership and resources to the university community as well as support services to AHANA students.

Services provided:

Academic Advising and Professional Development

AHANA Student Organizational Management

AHANA Alumni Development

AHANA Student Council

Cultural Education and Enrichment

Leadership Training and Development

Multicultural Events and Activities

Multicultural Ambassadors Program

This program will offer opportunities for Fairfield University students to assist the office of Admission with increasing the number of AHANA students who apply for admission by volunteering to participate in the recruitment process. Ambassadors will conduct campus tours, host campus visits, and visit area schools, churches and community groups.

Personal Counseling and Personal Success Planning

On-site personal counseling is offered at the Center to help facilitate the emotional well-being of each student requesting services. Often student have problems that interfere with their academic success. As a result, services are offered to all undergraduate students in a caring and supportive environment.

TEAM
Together Effectively Achieving Multiculturalism

The purpose of the T.E.A.M. is to assist the University in becoming a diverse, multicultural environment that openly encourages respect for and appreciation of the value of human differences through educating the campus community. Participants in T.E.A.M. will practice new behaviors, which promote the dissolution of intolerance of differences and promote cultural understanding and mutual respect. TEAM members will also conduct research on race relations, facilitate study circles on race relations, and in conjunction with residence life staff, develop floor programs.

Young Scholars Early College Awareness Program
Young Scholars Leadership Program is a pre-collegiate outreach program that seeks to impact in a positive way, the lives of inner city youth. The primary objective of the program is to influence program participants to view education as a means to achieve personal empowerment and as a tool to improve one's quality of life. The program goals are pursued by Fairfield University student volunteers through a number of programs and activities in conjunction with participating middle and high school students throughout Fairfield County including the cities of Bridgeport, Norwalk, and Stamford.

ERACISMS

Exellence Through Diversity