Resolution Number: 2020-4
Contact: Dan Clark

Support the creation of a Multicultural/Ethnic Center

Whereas, students have been advocating for a free-standing Multi-Cultural Center;

Whereas, a Multicultural center, facilitates critical programs, services, and scholarship that promotes anti-racism, equity, and justice to contribute to Ventura College’s core values by fostering an affirming campus environment where students can flourish in their intersecting identities, and center historically minoritized/marginalized communities while amplifying their voices and experiences in a safe and welcoming environment, increasing understanding and bridging cultural division;

Whereas, Multicultural buildings at peer institutions provide a central space on campus for a network of staff and faculty who can relate and understand students’ needs, providing as advisors, mentors and advocates making students feel safe, welcomed, important and eager to seek them out;

Whereas, a Multicultural Center would be more accommodating of the intersectionality of identity than current arrangements at Ventura College, to host cultural events, speakers, presentations, sharing cultural traditions and experiences of our diverse groups on campus, allowing students to easily access multiple groups with which they affiliate; 

Resolved, that Ventura College Academic Senate support the creation of a Multicultural center 
to address institutional racism and the unique needs of students of intersecting identities, including students of color and LGBTQIA+ students at VC directly supporting the ideals of inclusivity on which Ventura College has prided itself;

Resolved, that a sustained budget be created to build the personnel infrastructure needed to staff the leadership roles that will include:
a)	Director for the Multicultural Center,
b)	additional Center support staff (program management and administrative support, student employees), 
c)	dedicated position in Student Outreach Services to support undocumented students,
d)	Admissions Counselor position to focus on multicultural recruitment, along with programmatic funds, that will adhere to student input;

and Resolved, the VC Academic Senate will support the designation for a Multicultural center with enough square footage for supporting office space needed for staff/faculty, students, and hosting events; as students have requested to also include:
a)	student lounge,
b)	kitchen,
c)	bathrooms,
d)	meeting rooms for club organizations, 
e)	presentation hall with a capacity of 200,
f)	rooms for workshops and presentations. 

First Reading Approved 3/4/2021
Second Reading Approved 3/18/2021