Facility

Hours of Operation

Academic Year: Monday-Thursday 8:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. Fridays 8:30am – 4:30 p.m.

Summer Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

J-Term Hours: 10am-4:30pm

The MSSC is not available for reservations throughout the J-term.

What Do We Do?

The Multicultural Student Services Center is concerned with and serves as an advocate for the wellbeing of all multicultural students at URI. The Multicultural Student Services Center works to create an environment conducive to multicultural students’ successful living, both at URI and after graduation. Through its programs, the Multicultural Student Services Center also attempts to increase awareness of the richness of other cultures. The Multicultural Student Services Center advises multicultural student-led organizations.

Signature Programs

The University of Rhode Island Multicultural Student Services Center host events to promote cultural awareness, inclusion, and recognition. All events help to highlight the diversity of URI community. The MSSC invites all URI students, faculty, and staff to participate in these events as they learn about the richness multicultural campus community.  Signatures events provides a great opportunity for students to experience and learn certain historical and cultural aspects of different groups on campus. Thus, the goal is to enhance student cultural competency.  The following are the signature programs:

MSSC Welcome Back Block Party

Right after Labor Day, in collaboration with the Office of Admission, the MSSC hosts a welcome back multicultural students on campus. The goal is to welcome back returning and first year students, specifically focusing on BIPOC & those of MC Student Organizations.  Letting them know the MSSC is a safe space/counter space for them on campus. Open invitation to wider campus community but specifically highlighting BIPOC and multicultural students.

Latinx Hispanic Heritage Month

September 15th-October 15th

The MSSC leads different events about Hispanic Latinx culture, history, and experiences . Some of the events are in collaboration with the URI Spanish department, academics departments, and Latino Student Organizations.  These programs .

Native American Heritage Month

November

From November 1^st until the end of the month, the MSSC highlights the contributions and significance of Native American populations to our campus and community. In collaboration with the Native American Student Organization (NASO) and URI Native American Advisory Council (NAAC), the MSSC supports and sponsors different Native American events and welcomes students and the URI community to learn and share the experience of Native Americans.

Black History Month

February

Through the month of February, the MSSC hosts events to promote black culture and educate the URI community on the history and diversity of black people. Some events are hosted in collaboration with the URI Africana Studies, URI Chaplain Association and several black student associations that represent black students on campus.

Women’s History Month

March

In the month of March, the MSSC celebrates the contribution of women of color and women from different cultures. In collaboration with the URI Women Center, Gender and Sexuality Center and other academic departments, MSSC supports several events that highlight the experiences, challenges, and contribution of women of color.

Arab American Heritage Month

April

April is recognized as Arab American Month. The MSSC works to organize events that represent cultures and experiences of individuals with an origin in the Arab world. In collaboration with different departments and student organizations that represent the Arab population, the MSSC sponsors and supports events that celebrate Arab culture, history, and bring to light the experiences of Arab people.

Asian, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

May

May is the Asian, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) month. The MSSC works to highlight the experience, contributions, and cultures of AANHPI people. In collaboration with different departments, AANHPI faculty/staff groups, as well as AANHPI student organizations, the MSSC sponsors and supports events to allow AANHPI populations on campus to celebrate their culture and allow the community to learn and experience it as well.

Building Reservations

The Multicultural Student Services Center is a place dedicated to developing a supportive and inclusive campus culture across the boundaries of culture, identity, and discipline. Celebrating unity in diversity, the Multicultural Student Services Center invites all of its students, faculty, staff, administrators, alumni, and other friends to join in this work in creating a community of learners within and beyond URI.

Center Amenities

• Student Leadership Professional Development Opportunities
• Diversity Planning, Implementation and/or Support of Events:
• Advising and Support of Multicultural Student Organizations
• Community Service Project Support
• Referral Services
• Student Employment Opportunities

• Student Volunteers/Interns
• Reservable Spaces for Student Group Meetings
• Quiet Study Areas
• Computer Lab
• Movie Screen And Player
• Stocked Kitchen With Free Snacks
• Table Tennis Set Up
• Student Lounge & Game Room
• Grand Piano