Great Times for All: Multicultural Programming

for a Predominantly White Campus

Thursday, February 17, 2000

Head presenter:         Josh Dunson, President, Real People's Music (IL)

Other presenters:    Jelena Obradovic, SOFA Director, Lewis & Clark College (OR)

                                       Michael Nejman, Coordinator, Student Activities, Harper College (IL)

The panelists would like to thank the attendees for a very interactive and lively discussion on a topic that merits more attention, as illustrated by our over-flow crowd of between 80 and 100 people.  The session began with the panelists briefly describing their personal approaches to multicultural programming, their tips for success, and ways to avoid the pitfalls.  Then, the audience was invited to share their experiences.  Below is a comprehensive list of the "tips for success" that the group discussed:

• Program events that allow for participation by the students.  Students will have a more memorable experience if they become a part of it (i.e. allowing students to interact with performers during an African drumming program).
• Look for cross-cultural opportunities (events which will be popular with more than one target group).  For instance, capitalize on the Latin dance craze which will bring together majority students with Latino/a students.
• Program events in high traffic areas where students have to be exposed to the event on their way to classes.
• Focus on outreach!  Reach out to all of the target groups on your campus to get their feedback on programming options and then to invite them to the events.
• Find unifying fun events (as the late Cardinal Bernardin said, "What unites us is more important than what divides us.").
• Incorporate a "unity walk" at the end of an event to show unity and support for multicultural programming.
• Make events "annual" endeavors.  This allows you to build an audience over time.
• Incorporate multicultural programs into your Orientation programs, so that all students are exposed to the event.
• Try cross-cultural experiences where students learn about another culture and then design and present a program (peer teaching).
• Work with your college to have credit given to students who participate in multicultural experiences ("cultural enrichment credits").  Remember, the golden rule for getting students to come to events: provide cash (club grants if members help promote or attend an event), credit or food!
• Use "teasers" to bring students to an event (i.e. provide mini-dance lessons in the cafeteria during lunch which lead up to a cross-cultural Latin dance event).
• "Holidays Around the World" - programming in December which makes students aware of holidays, other than Christmas, during the same time period (i.e. Kwanzaa, Ramadan, and Hanukkah).
• Emphasize diversity within a culture.  If your college offers a Hispanic Heritage Month, make sure specific groups are featured from the entire culture (North American, Central American, South American, related-island groups, etc.).
• Team up with your recruitment offices.  They have to bring new students to campus and you need to provide programming.  Work together to provide events these new, potential students will enjoy, as well as your current student population.
• Reward the programmers!  Offer tuition rebates and grants to your student volunteers who either come up with creative multicultural programs or creative ways to promote the multicultural event.

www.nejman.com

More information about diversity and multicultural programming