The Diversity Development Office is responsible for the four Cultural
Centers at Oregon State University. This includes the Asian Pacific
Cultural Center, the Lonnie B. Harris Black Cultural Center, Centro
Cultural Cesar Chavez, and the Native American Longhouse. The Centers
are committed to the retention of underrepresented students by
providing facilities, events, activities, support services, and
leadership development opportunities for students.
The Diversity Development Office includes the Cultural Centers Staff
Coordinator, the Cultural Centers Graduate Teaching Assistants, Cultural
Centers Administrative Assistants, and the student staff of the
Cultural Centers.
Our facilities provide spaces that allow students to share their unique
identities in a safe and secure environment. We provide meeting space
for study groups, student organization meetings, and social gatherings.
We have computing facilities available for student and staff use.
The Native American Longhouse was established in 1971, but moved into the current location in 1972. The Black Cultural Center was established in 1975. In 1981, the Center was renamed the Lonnie B. Harris Black Cultural Center after the first director of OSU's Educational Opportunities Program. The Centro Cultural Cesar Chavez was established in 1975 as the Chicano Cultural Center, changed to the Hispanic Cultural Center in the mid 1980's. Its final name change came in 1996 in honor of Mexican farm worker activist Cesar Chavez. The Asian Cultural Center was established and opened in 1991. The name was recently changed to the Asian & Pacific Cultural Center in spring of 2003.
Our staff provides access to cultural, social, academic and career resources
through information sharing and event planning. The staff sponsors tutoring
groups,
as well as support groups to address issues concerning their individual
communities. We provide opportunities for members of the University to
learn about different cultures. Cultural/Resource Center events and
activities include events such as Cooking Demonstrations, Craft Nights, Cultural
Holiday Celebrations, and National Awareness and History/Heritage programs.
