A CAMPUS WITH ~ 11 j\ ~ )T C u lj T u R ~~ s By Raneisha Stassin Studems from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds had the chance to connrct and find ,·aluable resource on campu through the ~lulticultural Student Action Committee (~1SAC 1, which Harding rc-de,·clopecl in fall 2015. This year, MSAC worked to connect students from organizations such as the Black Student Association !B 'A, the Harding African Student As ociation and thf' Harding Chinese Students and Scholar ,\ssociation. Though ).[ \C focused on minority students from a ,·aricty of cultures, it \\'as highly encouraged for e,-cryone to join. Director oL\ lulticultural Student Scn·ices Tiffany Byers helped studcrns connect with resources Harding oflc1Td to ensure their success while bridging the gap between diffcrenL cultural and ethnic backgrounds. She led activities with rcpresemati\"Cs from each or the multicultural organizations. In addition, Byers used \ [SAC to help the students gain a sense or community and recognition they may not ha\'e had orhcrwise. The cornm1tLee hosted actiYitics, ,vhich allowed students to have fun together while also celebrating their cultures. Students visited a corn maze and pumpkin patch in thr fall and celebrated together at :-.ISAC·s Christmas party. Student were encouraged LO attend e,·ents centered on learning about ,·arious cultures, ~uch as the Latin Fest and the Chinese ~loon Festirnl. '·The acti,·ities we have are open to all tuclents," Byers said.·'\ Ve want the dominam populations to get to know the minority population and their cultures." Senior Aundrey Flewellen felt :\tfSAC was important to help facilitate e,·ery student to connect and explore other cultures. Flewellen sen-eel as pre idern of the club i 11 20 I "It's lhard] to really understand people from other cultures until you have the opportunity to be with them and [to build] a relationship \1 ith them," Flewellen said. "Thc~e opportunities are opening doors for young people to connect with [others] from different backgrounds.'' J uniorJ ewels Edmerson served as president of BSA and recognized the importance of organizations similar to it for minority students on campus. ·'At Harding the people arc nice, but it's hard finding people "·e can Gt in with,'' Edmerson said. '·You're planning on staying here for four years, so you really want a place where you can fit in - where you can find people like you." MSAC gave students the opportunity to feel more at home, while also celebrating Harding's cliYcrsity. Senior Leahndrea Landrum and sponsor and Director of Multicultural Student Services Tiffany Byers share the different qualities of the Mu lticultura l Student Actio n Committee (MSA C) with other students at the organizatio nal fa ir on Sept. 15, on th efront lawn. Th e purpose of M SAC was to plan activities and invo lve the minority populatio n in student life on campus. I Photo by Ka1:.u Fujisawa Freshman Isaac Davis and senior Alecia Farmer represent the Multicultural Student Action Committee (MSAC) at Homecoming on Oct. 29 at First Security Stadium. MSAC was re-developed infall 2015. I Photo by Ka1:.u Fujisawa I\TF.H\ \TIO\ \L -( J.(i<J
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