The University of Massachusetts Boston is a commuter school, and at times, that makes it difficult to get involved in activities. Highly motivated and intelligent students have created and coordinated clubs and centers for their various areas of interests. Student Resource Centers are located on the third floor of the Campus Center in rooms 3400 and 3500. There are seven centers that welcome and encourage all students to visit, listen, and voice their ideas.
The centers are: Advocacy for Resources for Modern Survival Center, Student Veterans Center, Women’s Center, CASA Latina, Black Student Center, Asian Student Center, and Queer Center. UMass Boston has a diverse student body with a range of different cultural backgrounds and personal interests, and these Student Resource Centers acknowledge that.
On a recent visit to the Student Center offices, Anderson from Casa Latina and The Black Student Center spoke about the centers creating a sense of community for students and as a chance to meet new people. Casa Latina is involved with a youth community development organization called Hyde SquareTask Force. Members work with middle school students in Jamaica Plain to help build strong community skills for those students. “Casa Latina never says no to anyone, everyone is welcome,” Anderson said.
At the Student Veterans Center, Joseph Wines, coordinator of the student-run center, stated that the purpose of SVC is to welcome student veterans and veteran supporters to discuss issues and to interact with those who can relate to similar issues. The SVC is partnering with the Office of Student Leadership and Community Engagement to hold donation drives and to encourage volunteer work on 9/11 at local shelters in honor of the thousands of lives that were lost on that day.
Stephen Henderson, coordinator of the Queer Center, spoke about the center being a safe space for people of all sexual orientations, as well as being a place for people to get support if needed. The Women’s Center coordinator Alyson Bouchard also talked about the center being a safe space–a place for women of the university to escape to if they ever need assistance. “Whether it be friendly advice, different forms of contraception, or just a place to hang out between classes, we are open to any and all members,” Bouchard said.
The student centers have different cultures, yet have the same goals in mind; those goals are to support, teach, and learn from UMass Boston students. There will be a Student Center Open House/ field day on Wednesday, Sept. 17 from 12-3 p.m., on the front lawn of the campus center.
For more information on the students centers, visit http://www.umb.edu/life_on_campus/student_involvement/activities/resource_centers.