Getting involved in campus organizations offers a variety of
choices–from sports to politics, Greek life to student
government.

Students looking for opportunities to broaden their horizons or
learn new cultures should consider getting involved in a cross
cultural organization.

Cross-cultural organizations include the Black Student Alliance,
Muslim Student Association and the International Student
Federation. Located in a suite in the Cross- Cultural Center,
located near the main desk in the Busch Student Center, they’re
pretty hard to miss.

From distinguished speakers and colorful parades to poetry
readings, Ramadan dinners and fashion shows, these groups have
organized major events that have become part of the SLU tradition.
Among these are Black History Month, Diversity Awareness Month, and
the Billiken World Fair.

These groups strive to promote integration and cross-cultural
understanding among students on campus.

The MSA’s goal is to raise consciousness of Islam and provide a
forum of social interaction among students.

The BSA actively promotes greater understanding within the
African-American community at SLU while strengthening its
relationships with other campus organizations.

“Our main goal is to make the BSA more involved by performing
more community service, having more co-sponsorship and continuing
the social programs we’ve done in the past,” said Chris Clark,
president.

Meanwhile, all international students at SLU automatically
become members of the ISF, although many U.S.-born students have
become associate members as well.

The ISF has co-sponsored many events on campus, especially
during Diversity Awareness Month. It also serves as an umbrella
organization for six other groups–Asian Students in Action and the
African, Korean, Thai, Taiwanese and Spanish student
associations.

All of these organizations are handled by Greg Horton, a
professor in the Fine Arts department and the new director of the
Cross Cultural Center. Horton also filled in as the acting director
of the African American studies department last Spring.

Before Horton became director, he had only envisioned a meeting
place where students of color could talk and share ideas on
multicultural awareness.

Horton eventually became interested in guiding these
organizations to promote diversity, and with their transition into
the Cross Cultural Center.

Horton has planned several programs–such as bi-monthly live
chat days, professional speaking circuits and diversity performing
circuits–that would utilize the Center and hopefully bring more
people together. He has also decorated the Center with masks,
paintings, and other rich cultural artifacts that were loaned or
donated for use. This “revolving exhibit” will change every once in
a while to display items rich in culture.

“It’s such a surge,” Horton said. “It’s a new place with new
things, in a wonderful new location.”

The Cross-Cultural organizations hope the new location will draw
students in, thereby increasing attendance at events.

“I like the place,” Clark said. “People have been impressed with
it so far–the location will definitely help us get our name out
there.”

For more information on becoming involved with the
Cross-Cultural Center, check the organizations’ websites, which are
listed at www.slu.edu/organizations or
stop by the offices of the organizations, all located in the
Cross-Cultural Center on the main floor of the Busch Student Center
for easy access.