Beyond the distribution of residents and commuters at Rutgers, there are also many ethnic communities throughout the four New Brunswick campuses. These student communities include 9.5%, 27.7%, 9.3%, and 18% of international, Asian, African American, and Hispanic populations, respectively. The Division of Student Affairs has established different cultural centers to support students.
Asian American Cultural Center
The Asian American Cultural Center (AACC) is located at 49 Joyce Kilmer Avenue on the Livingston Campus. The Asian American Cultural Center staff are known for their mentoring program, internships, and immersive events. Past events that have occurred include the Asian Pacific Islander, Desi and Arab (APIDA) Graduate and Leadership Awards Gala, a Meet-and-Greet with Tan France, and a cultural fashion show. Branching off from the AACC, the Rutgers Asian Student Council helps in collaborating with different Asian student organizations to create events that are interesting for students.
Photo credit: Rutgers University Asian American Cultural Center
Paul Robeson Cultural Center
The Paul Robeson Cultural Center, located at 600 Bartholomew Road near the Busch Student Center, was founded in 1969. It was the first black cultural center on a college campus in the United States. The Center was named after Paul Robeson, who was the third African American to graduate from Rutgers University. Whether it’s celebrating Black History Month with complimentary breakfasts, curating special events such as the Rites of Passage ceremony for Rutgers’ graduates, or holding Welcome Week events, this center celebrates diverse cultures.
Photo credit: Rutgers University Paul Robeson Cultural Center
Center for Latino Arts and Culture
Student organizations have united students in representing the richness of Latino and Hispanic heritages. At 172 College Avenue, the Center for Latino Arts and Culture (CLAC) welcomes students to study, host events, and hang out with their fellow community members. The CLAC helps with a number of initiatives, including the Educational Opportunity Program Student Association who provide representatives for students who use the fund to help with their academic financial barriers. This initiative is also open for different majors and student backgrounds at Rutgers. The Global Village at Douglass Residential College, called La Casa, is meant to educate others on the dangers of generalizing the Spanish-speaking world into one group. This Living Learning Community is under the Global Village at Douglass, where students enroll in a 1.5 credit Fall and Spring semester course which combines classroom and hands-on learning experiences with themes related to each house. This program integrates students in their designated theme and gives groups a chance to visit nearby organizations or even go to the United Nations.
Photo credit: Rutgers University Student Affairs
The Center for Social Justice Education and LGBT Communities
The Center for Social Justice Education and LGBT Communities is located at 17 Bartlett Street on the College Avenue campus. The Rainbow Perspectives is a Douglass living community that focuses on LGBTQ+ representation and peer mentoring opportunities. The Center can help students with housing accommodations. Students, staff, and faculty can also be advocates by attending Safe(R) Space workshops. LGBTQA scholarships, emergency funds, mental health counseling as well as club activities and events are available for students. Past events include Queer Prom, Affirmation Card workshops, and cultural collaboration events.
Photo credit: Rutgers University Center for Social Justice Education and LGBT Communities
Q-mmunity is an orientation and leadership development group founded in 2013 that gives first year and transfer students a way to integrate into the Rutgers LGBTQIA+ community and surround themselves with appropriate resources. Student opinions and creativity are necessary driving forces for the establishment of these centers. It is important to create these spaces for you to have the freedom to celebrate your identities and if you want to be a new organization founder, head to the Student Center and Activities website to learn more!
Written by Meghana Thimmaraju – KnightBook Student Editor