Multicultural Affairs
Putnam University Center
Willamette University
900 State Street
Salem, Oregon 97301
503-370-6265 voice
Clubs and Organizations
Present Organizations
Alianza
Formerly O.R.A.L.E., MEChA and Unidos Por Fin
The purpose of Alianza is to promote the Latin@ Culture as well as empower the outer Latin@ community in effort to seek a higher education. These goals will be carried out by providing the campus with ethnic celebrations, films, and speakers. A supportive environment for multicultural students will be provided through potlucks, trips, and outer community and support networks for outer multicultural communities.
Upcoming Events
Meetings are Wednesdays at 4pm in the Alumni Lounge, UC 3rd Floor
Past Events
Hispanic/Latino Heritage Month, September 15 - October 15, 2008
Club Retreat and Coast Trip with AZN and Hawai'i Club, October 23-25, 2008
Dia de los Muertos, November 3, 2008
Cinco de Mayo Celebration, May 5, 2009
Contact
President: Jose Alvarado
Advisor: Ramiro Flores
Asian Student Association (ASA)
Formerly Alpha Zeta Nu (AZN)
The purpose of ASA is to represent the interests and concerns of Asian students at Willamette. ASA will act as a support network for its members and other students of Asian ancestry because we understand that the transition into a predominantly homogenous environment can be difficult. In addition, ASA will act as a campus wide resource to promote cultural awareness and ethic diversity among the members of the Willamette Community.
Past Events
Club Retreat and Coast Trip with Alianza and Hawaii Club, October 23-25, 2008
Annual Rice Cook-Off, November 16, 2008
Asian Lunar New Year Celebration, January 30, 2009
Noodle Pulling, May 1, 2009
Sushi Night, September 17, 2009
Contact
Co-Presidents: Colby Takeda, Serena Cualoping
Advisor: Stephanie Nixon
Angles — Queer-Straight Alliance
Angles is a queer-straight alliance formed to provide and encourage the support, education, and visibility of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered concerns and issues in the Willamette/TIUA community.
Angles meets every Wednesday, 9 PM in the Montag Den, to discuss topics ranging from Coming Out stories to oppressive stereotypes. Straight or non-straight, anyone is welcome to join!
Past Events
S'more-Gay-Spord, September 18, 2008
Guess the Straight Person, October 17, 2008
Fruitcake Bake Sale
Progressive Dinner
Genderfunk Annual Drag Dance 2009
Contact
President: Alex Xeros
Advisor: Grant Linsell
Black Student Union (BSU)
Formerly the Black Student Organization
The Black Student Union is dedicated to the unification and healing of African-Americans, people of African descent, and others who are a part of the African Diaspora through self-determination, cultural education, and academic excellence. Through the implementation of these principles and others, the Black Student Union will strive to continue the struggle for Black liberation and the liberation of all.
BSU provides an atmosphere in which students, faculty, and other Willamette members are free to express feelings, concerns, and to engage in critical dialogue to effectively address these issues. BSU also assists with the transition to college for African-American students with a comfortable environment.
Past Events
BSU/SAE Kickoff Barbecue, September 19, 2008
Black in America: Presidential Discussion Panel, October 27, 2008
Movie Showing: This Christmas, December 3, 2008
Marshawn Evans: Black History Month Speaker, February 4, 2009
Movie Showing: Rosewood, February 13, 2009
Contact
President: Walter Ladell Robinson, II
Advisors: Joshua Bilbrew, Stephanie Nixon
Hawaii Club
The Hawaii Club strives to produce a more comfortable environment for students, both from Hawaii and those interested in the culture. It provides a support group that participates in activities, service projects and educational programs, especially through the lu'au put on at the end of the school year. It also functions as a transitory resource to assist students while finding their niche at Willamette University.
Upcoming Events
21st Annual Lu'au, April 17, 2010
Parent/Family Weekend Dinner, October 9, 2008
Uwajimaya/Portland Trip, October 11, 2009
Coast Trip, October 2009
Taste of Hawaii, November 2009
Past Events
Welcome Picnic, Summer 2009
Pool Party & BBQ, September 19, 2009
Contact
President: Nicole Chong
Advisors: Gordy Toyama, Teresa Hudkins
Jewish Student Union (JSU)
The Jewish Student Union connects Jewish and Non-Jewish students and allows them to celebrate Jewish holidays while learning about the traditional customs. JSU meets every week for their Friday-Night Kiddush sessions at 6 PM.
Past Events
Annual Passover Sedar, April 9, 2009
From Bernstein to Beasties: The Jewish American Music Experience, April 19, 2009
Yom Ha'Shoah, Holocaust Rememberance Day, April 21, 2009
Contact
President: Liana Walters
Advisor: Ellen Eisenberg
Native American Enlightenment Association (NAEA)
Since we live in a world full of fascinating and unique cultures, we believe that it is our obligation to be aware of and sensitive to the diversity surrounding us. We also believe that it is our responsibility to instill pride in our own heritage allowing it to be passed on for future generations. We have abundant local resources to carry out these goals, therefore we have created the Native American Enlightenment Association. We will provide Native American students at Willamette a group from which to identify with and gain support. We will also give the opportunity to all Willamette students to be "enlightened" by becoming educated and involved in these traditions of interest.
Upcoming Events
8th Annual Social Powwow, March 13, 2010
Past Events
Fry Bread Sale, February 25, 2009
Contact
President: Nichole Turner
Advisor: Gordy Toyama and Rebecca Dobkins
Past Organizations
Alaska Club
The Alaska Club serves to share the diversity of cultures and traditions of Alaska with its members as well as other Willamette and Salem community members. The group also acts as a support network for Alaskan natives.
Past Events
Annual Salmon Bake at Wulapalooza, April 29, 2006
Alpha Zeta Nu (AZN)
Black Student Organization (BSO)
The Black Student Organization encourages cultural awareness, acts as a support group for all people interested in African American issues and promotes educational programs on campus.
Past Events
Spike Lee Film Series, 2005
Hip Hop Symposium & Celebration of Hip Hop Culture, 2004
Korean Culture Club (KCC)
NAMASTE — South Asian Club
Past Events
Diwali Celebration, October 2006
Oregon Raza Advocating Leadership and Education (O.R.A.L.E.)
MEChA (Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztl�n) national objectives:
- To strive for educational, cultural, economical, political, and social empowerment within the Chicano community in order to liberate neustra gente;
- To undertake the responsibility of retaining our identity and furthering our cultural awareness;
- To undertake the responsibility of uplifting and mobilizing Chicanos and Chicanas through higher education;
- To implement plans of action concerning Chicanos and Chicanas.
Past Events
Cinco de Mayo Celebration, May 2006
Unidos Por Fin
This organization helps to foster and maintain cultural identities (Hispanic, Latino, Mexican) in many ways. Primary goals are to emphasize the need for diversity, express cultural pride and create a sense of community with peers, through the practice of conservation of culture and ideals. Other goals include reaching out to others outside the Willamette campus through community service and inspiring and empowering young people to see the opportunities in higher education.
Past Events
Fiesta Latina, April 2005