Pride, Black Lives Matter and MEChA banners are among those hanging in the Warrior Cross Cultural Center (WCCC), located in Stanislaus State’s recently renovated J. Burton Vasché Library.
The banners are just a part of the welcoming atmosphere of the Warrior Cross Cultural Center that staff members will share during a soft open house beginning with remarks at 12:15 p.m. on Tuesday, April 5. With indoor safety protocols in place, the WCCC, located on the second floor in Room 201, will be limited to 24 visitors at a time, but tours of the space and information about programs and services will be shared until 2 p.m.
Register now to attend the soft opening
“Many of the students who have stopped by the WCCC matriculated during the pandemic, so they are exploring the spaces on our campus and looking to build community for the first time,” said Warrior Cross Cultural Center Director Carolina Alfaro. “It’s exciting to witness. Our return to campus has allowed us to help provide students with access to in-person study spaces and experiences. Engagement in many of the programs and services we offer is slowly starting to increase, which is very hopeful.”
Even in a time of virtual learning, the WCCC never wavered from its mission of providing a space for critical dialogue and action to dismantle racial, social and cultural systems of oppression. It continued to foster critical consciousness with programs aimed at liberating the voices of marginalized students and the campus community.
Alfaro points to the launch of the Male Success Initiative (MSI), headed by Miguel Jimenez, as one of the center’s most exciting accomplishments.
Through informal Barber Shop Talks and intentional programming, the MSI serves males and males of color.
“This contributes to the critical work happening at the California State University level to proactively seek ways of addressing systemic inequities, academic achievement gaps and persistence to graduation,” Alfaro said. “Much of the work away from campus provided an opportunity for us to get creative and seek ways to engage with MSI students virtually and communicate with partners invested in this work.”
Those conversations may now be held in person, and for the first time in three years, students are planning to attend this week’s CSU Young Men of Color Consortium, which will be held in Sacramento.
On-campus events are returning as well. A doll making event on March 18 was “well attended,” Alfaro said, and WCCC’s new space in the library “still provides a homey, cozy and welcoming feel, which is important for us. Students love to come in and use the study space, read a book on our comfy red bean bags or learn about our events.”