Cultural Spaces at UC Merced (Recognizing the Past, Working through the Present, and Envisioning the Future) “As the only UC campus to lack a larger cultural center, our students do not have access to the resources, training, research opportunities, safe spaces, and counseling these centers would provide that we need to reach our potential as scholars and activists. A larger cultural center would give students a space where student voices can be respected and heard, where the empowerment of our students takes precedence, and where the diversity of our campus can inspire new perspectives in scholarship and research.” Anonymous Student Jonathan Grady, Ph.D., Onar Primitivo, and Kamyar Nekoui Graduate Cultural Resource Center Black Cultural Resource Center Intercultural Hub UC Merced Campus Community (Students, Staff, and Faculty)

“A week after the November 4, 2015 incident students came together at the Students of Color Conference in Berkeley and began conversations on the necessity of our campus having safe spaces for marginalized identity communities (of color, LGBTQPIA+, etc.) to go to in times of crisis. At the Students of Color Conference, students quickly realized that our campus is the ONLY University of California without a cultural center, yet our campus is often marketed as, "the most diverse UC". Upon returning from the Students of Color Conference a student coalition was created with the purpose of ensuring that a cultural center finally be built on our campus!” Intercultural Hub Board

CULTURAL SPACES VISIONING PROCESS Town Halls Focus Groups Individual Meetings Survey The sentiments of students, staff, and faculty were all included.

SURVEY QUESTIONS 1. Why are cultural spaces important at UC Merced and how do they help students, staff, and/or faculty thrive? 2. UC Merced is currently the only UC Campus that does not have a cultural center. If UC Merced opens a cultural center that is fully staffed and resources, what would your vision for this center look like (key services and initiatives you would like to see)? 3. If UC Merced opens a cultural center on campus, how likely are you to utilize the space? 4. Affinity spaces often serve as spaces for healing, safety, community, and unity. In addition to spaces such as the Graduate Cultural Resource Center and the Black Cultural Resource Center, what other affinity spaces do you feel are needed at UC Merced and how do you see affinity spaces interacting with a larger cultural center? 5. Currently, the Intercultural Hub is rooted in the following pillars (Coalition Building, Education, Social Justice, and Healing). If UC Merced opens a cultural center, do you think these pillars should be modified or expanded? Why/Why Not? 6. If UC Merced opens a cultural center, how do you see students, staff, and faculty interacting with the space? Do you see staff/faculty playing a role in supporting affinity spaces on campus? 7. If you could name the cultural center, what name would you recommend (for example, Intercultural Center, Multicultural Center, Cross-Cultural Center, Center for Social Justice, etc.)?

FINDINGS “Bringing a cultural space to UC Merced would be essential towards the development of all first generation and colored students on campus. It would be a free, open, and safe space where you can relate to students that look like you and share your experiences. It would make these students feel more welcomed and accepted into a campus that is completely foreign to them. Furthermore, it would encourage them to reach out to members inside of the cultural space giving everyone the opportunity to both be a mentor and mentee. This would create a network of students that succeed together, motivate one another, and encourage each other to do well academically. One of the greatest struggles for first generation/colored students is knowing where to find resources that can help them succeed academically because; first they don't know where to ask for help and second, they don't know who they can ask for help without being judged. A cultural space would incentivize first generation/colored students to connect to other students and feel empowered enough to ask those questions. Learning where to ask for help is the first step in achieving your goals and not feeling incompetent, overwhelmed, and powerless to the point that dropping out seems like your best/easiest option.” Anonymous Respondent

That’s a lot of money And a lot of users Total success! 89,526,124$ That’s a lot of money 185,244 users And a lot of users 100% Total success!

VISION, SUPPORT, AND GROWTH

NEXT STEPS: Proposal Submission: May 1st Presentation to Chancellor and Vice Chancellor (May) Suggested Goals (2018-2019): *Hire paid student staff members for existing affinity spaces. These student staff members will report to Onar Primitivo. *Secure Cultural Center Location *Secure Location of LGBTQIA+ Center *Cultural Center Grand Opening in 2019 *Increase Annual Budget of Cultural Center by 15% *Chief Diversity Officer Hired *Suggested Goals (2019-2020) Suggested Goals (2019-2020): *LGBTQIA+ Center Opening *Increase Public Cultural Art on Campus *Establish Social Justice Quad (potential naming opportunity) *Secure other potential affinity spaces on campus *Secure funding for GCRC and BCRC Suggested Goals (2020 and Beyond): *Freestanding Cultural Building *Increased Professional and Student Staffing *Increased Annual Budgets and Support for Cultural and Affinity Spaces

Proposal Outline The Importance of Cultural Spaces at UC Merced Cultural Spaces at UC Merced: Past, Present, and Future The History of Cultural Spaces at UC Merced The Development of Cultural Center at UC Merced Expansion of Affinity Spaces at UC Merced Space Allocation Recommendations Timeline for Completion and Budget Narrative “This is long overdue. The university is doing a grave disservice to its student by not providing this most basic system of support.” Anonymous Student

NEXT STEPS: Proposal Submission: May 1st Presentation to Chancellor and Vice Chancellor (May) Suggested Goals (2018-2019): *Hire paid student staff members for existing affinity spaces. These student staff members will report to Onar Primitivo. *Secure Cultural Center Location *Secure Location of LGBTQIA+ Center *Cultural Center Grand Opening in 2019 *Increase Annual Budget of Cultural Center by 15% *Chief Diversity Officer Hired *Suggested Goals (2019-2020) Suggested Goals (2019-2020): *LGBTQIA+ Center Opening *Increase Public Cultural Art on Campus *Establish Social Justice Quad (potential naming opportunity) *Secure other potential affinity spaces on campus *Secure funding for GCRC and BCRC Suggested Goals (2020 and Beyond): *Freestanding Cultural Building *Increased Professional and Student Staffing *Increased Annual Budgets and Support for Cultural and Affinity Spaces

Jonathan Grady, Ph.D. (jgrady2@ucmerced.edu) QUESTIONS? “As the only UC campus to lack a larger cultural center, our students do not have access to the resources, training, research opportunities, safe spaces, and counseling these centers would provide that we need to reach our potential as scholars and activists. A larger cultural center would give students a space where student voices can be respected and heard, where the empowerment of our students takes precedence, and where the diversity of our campus can inspire new perspectives in scholarship and research.” Anonymous Student Jonathan Grady, Ph.D. (jgrady2@ucmerced.edu) Onar Primitivo Kamyar Nekoui