Following a decision finalized last week, the proposed Diversity Outreach Center will be constructed in the Newcomb hall informal lounge, probably by the coming fall.
The Coalition, Student Council, the Dean of Students office and Newcomb hall have worked together to create a place where people of diverse backgrounds can intermingle.
"We saw that there is a lack of visible, physical space for students to come together to celebrate diversity at the University," Coalition President Ryan McCarthy said.
"The budget is about $150,000," said Bill Ashby, associate dean of students and director of Newcomb hall.
The Diversity Center idea formally was introduced last spring, but the involved organizations have been working actively on the concept since January.
The center will continue to serve as a lounge, a small programming space and a resource center with a library.
Wednesday, April 2 at 6 p.m., there will be a community planning session to evaluate the space for the diversity center.
Between 50 and 100 students were invited to aid in planning the center. Most of the students are involved in different groups that work with diversity and have some vested interest in the center, according to Council President Micah Schwartz, though he said anyone may attend the meeting.
Five students from the Architecture school will provide the design for the center. Graduate Architecture student Ben Blanchard heads the design team, which includes third-year Architecture students Catalina Curiel, Thomas Cheung, Jeremy Maloney and Alex Walker.
"We are hoping it would be open in fall on the third floor of Newcomb in the informal lounge," Ashby said.
McCarthy and Schwartz said they believe the current informal lounge is an inefficient use of space.
"Student space is an issue here and the informal lounge hasn't been efficiently utilized," McCarthy said.
Schwartz emphasized that the center will improve student unity and historical knowledge.
"I liked the idea of having a center that would draw students together and give a better idea of the University's racial history," Schwartz said.
The diversity center would be open to all students, organizers said.
The idea of a diversity center was created by the Coalition last spring and further developed by joint work of the Coalition and Student Council in January.
The center is to serve as a safe and empowering space for the entire community and a place for all students to submerge themselves in diversity and celebrate multiculturalism, McCarthy said.
"We hope the DOC will be a physical symbol of the University's commitment to diversity," McCarthy said.
Read More
Students have federal internship offers rescinded due to hiring freeze
By Nina Broderick | 16 hours agoUntil July 15, no presently vacant federal civilian positions may be filled, and no new positions may be created.
Man dies from self-inflicted gunshot wounds at the Rotunda
By Ford McCracken | 21 hours agoThe investigation is ongoing, and additional details are not available at this time.
Virginia primary elections feature contested race for Democratic Lt. Gov. candidate
By Nicolas Biernacki | YesterdayEligible voters can find more information about early voting by consulting the City Department of Voter Registration & Elections website or the County Department of Elections website.
