Multicultural Student Organizations
Student organizations are crucial to the work of the Multicultural Center. They conduct meetings and sponsor events at the Center and comprise the Multicultural Student Council.
List of Student Organizations
- Alima International Dance Association (AIDA)
- Asian Student Association (ASA)
- Black American Society (BAS)
- Brazilian Cape Verdean (BCV) Capoeira
- Chinese Students and Scholars Association (CSSA)
- Cape Verdean Students Association (CVSA)
- Dreams of Diversity through Dance (D3)
- Educational Empowerment Program of Mother Africa (EEPMA)
- Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender (GLBT) Center
- Indian Student Association (ISA)
- International Collegiate Organization for Nonviolence (ICON)
- Lamda Upsilon Lamda (LUL)
- Latin American Students Association (LASA)
- Muslim Students Association (MSA)
- National Association of the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)
- National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)
- P.I.N.K. Women
- Sigma Lamda Upsilon (SLU)
- Society of Hispanic Engineers (SHPE)
- Society of Women Engineers (SWE)
- Teatro Latino Estudiantil "La Casa"
- Uhuru Sasa (SASA)
- URI Breakdancing Club
- URI Hillel
Alima International Dance Association (AIDA)
Website: www.uri.edu/mcc/aida/
Alima International Dance Association is a family whose goal is to spread
the diversity of dancing that derived from the African roots. AIDA wants
the world to become aware of the diversity and the beauty of cultures fused
together into one. AIDA believes that different nationalities and backgrounds
should come together through music and dance. Although, people have different
believes, different languages and certainly different dance rituals, AIDA does
not look at these differences. It focuses more on what people really have in common,
and this is exactly what AIDA does; taking all different types of music that sounds
good and that sends a positive message and performs to it. The "Rhythm of the Soul"
is a show that AIDA puts on every year to generalize the ideals of its goal.
Asian Student Association (ASA)
Website: www.mcc.uri.edu/asa/
The Asian Student Association of the University of Rhode Island is an
organization in which students from various Asian countries gather, such as
Cambodia, China, the Hmong culture, Japan, Korea, Laos and the Philippines.
Within the past few years, the number of non-Asian members who are interested
in learning about Asia have increased. ASA's goal is to promote better understanding of
Asian countries and cultures to the URI community and to a bigger scope. It is to enhance
the campus community by encouraging student involvement in community services, increase
Asian awareness, providing student support, networking with other student organizations
and supporting personal growth in Art, Culture, and Religion.
Black American Society (BAS)
Website: www.uri.edu/mcc/bas/
Brazilian Cape Verdean Capoeira (BCV)
Website: www.uri.edu/mcc/bcv/
BCV Capoeira promotes respect for diversity in its performances,
but is a diverse group within itself. Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian
martial art mixed with music and acrobatics. This program on the URI
campus also teaches its members about the Cape Verdean culture. BCV
is made up of students from all backgrounds. Its performers are models
of the principles it teaches: respect, self-control, discipline, integrity
and trust. Its goal is to promote these principles through this art form while
advancing the level of education about respect for the Brazilian and Cape Verdean culture.
Chinese Students and Scholars Association
Website: www.uri.edu/mcc/cssa/
Cape Verdean Students Association
Website: www.uri.edu/mcc/cvsa/
Dreams of Diversity through Dance (D3)
Website: www.uri.edu/mcc/d3/
Dreams of Diversity through Dance, introduces its members and the
University of Rhode Island's Community to the richness of cultures through dance.
Their mission is to spread the knowledge of one another's culture and traditions
through the universal language of the arts. The group welcomes both experienced
and novice dancers of all racial and ethnic backgrounds. The only requirement is
an open mind and the willingness to learn. D3 was the recipient of the 2004-2005
Diversity Award for Organization Excellence (Leadership/Service) Award.
Educational Empowerment Program of Mother Africa (EEPMA)
Website: www.uri.edu/mcc/eepma/
EEPMA is a non-profit organization serving as the growing power for
African students' academic future. Serving as an establishment and promotion
for African students, EEPMA values are based upon and eco-structure student
empowerment approach; and group verbal and skill learning. The objective of
the Educational Empowerment Program of Mother Africa is to provide basic, high
standard education, and reliable service for the African students.
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender (GLBT) Center
Website: www.uri.edu/glbt
The GLBT Center at the University of Rhode Island strives
to create a welcoming and safe environment for people of all sexual orientation
and gender identities. Prioritizing around dimensions of education, support, and
advocacy, the GLBT Center works directly with students, faculty, staff and community
members to provide meaningful related programs and services.
India Students Association
Website: www.uri.edu/mcc/isa
The International Collegiate Organization for Nonviolence (ICON)
Website: www.uri.edu/mcc/icon
I.C.O.N seeks to unite the University of Rhode Island and surrounding
communities through the institutionalization of the concepts of nonviolence.
They strive to help make the beloved community a reality through nonviolence training.
Students of different backgrounds come together and share a passion for creating a better
society through education.
Lambda Upsilon Lambda (LUL)
Website: www.uri.edu/mcc/lul
The Lamda Upsilon Lamda mission statement is to provide Latino
Students with the academic, cultural and social support necessary to
excel in institutions of higher learning. It works to increase opportunities
for Latino children and adolescents to achieve in elementary and secondary schools.
UPL hopes to develop leaders that will provide, develop and implement the tools for
community empowerment, and to inspire ethnic pride and cultural awareness in the
Latino community. Its goal is to support the efforts to enhance the growth and
well-being of the Latino community, and collaborate with individuals, organizations
and institutions that will join their efforts to improve the conditions of the Latino Community.
Latin American Student Association (LASA)
Website: www.uri.edu/mcc/lasa
LASA's goal is to create a center of orientation to help students
confront and surpass the frustrations they may encounter when initially
exposed to a socio-economic educational system unknown to its members.
It hopes to identity and reinforce culture, language and custom among Latin
students, and to enhance educational, social and cultural opportunities in the
university of Rhode Island community.
Muslim Students Association (MSA)
Website: www.uri.edu/mcc/msa
The Muslim Students Association's objective is to promote understanding and
cooperation between the Muslim community and other communities to find solutions
to various ethical and moral dilemmas faced by our society.
National Association of the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)
Website: www.uri.edu/mcc/naacp
The NAACP is a non-profit organization established with the objective
of insuring the political, educational, social, and economic equality of
minority groups. Its goal is to eliminate race prejudice and remove all barriers
of racial discrimination. The University of Rhode Island NAACP promotes civil rights,
desegregation, and racial equity within the URI campus community.
National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)
Website: www.uri.edu/mcc/nsbe
NSBE's mission is to increase the number of culturally responsible
Black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the community.
P.I.N.K. Women
Website: www.uri.edu/mcc/pink
Sigma Lamda Upsilon (SLU)
Website: www.mcc.uri.edu/mcc/slu
The Sigma Lamda Upsilon chapter of URI promotes understanding of Latina cultures
and issues and collaboration with other organizations. Also known as Senoritas
Latinas Unidas, the organization encourages the ideals of sisterhood, leadership,
service, academic excellence, and cultural enrichment. Annually they sponsor Week of
Races to expose the campus to the culture of a different Spanish-speaking country.
Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)
Website: www.uri.edu/mcc/shpe
The Society for Hispanic Professional Engineers focus on study skill development,
leadership, resume development as well as activities both on and off-campus which are
celebratory and instructive. Members attend conferences in Boston and New Orleans, and
keep things local by tutoring 7th and 8th graders from Providence. SHPE offers hands-on
experience in engineering to middle and high school students.
The Society of Women Engineers (SWE)
Website: www.uri.edu/mcc/swe
The Society of Women Engineers is committed to supporting women and diversity
in engineering. The organization motivates women to achieve full potential in careers
as engineers and leaders, while expanding the image of the engineering profession as
a positive force in improving the quality of life. The University of Rhode Island chapter
has created vibrant social community for women engineering students at the school, as well
as providing strong academic and career support. SWE enhances leadership by participating
in mentoring programs and outreach programs.
Teatro Latino Estudiantil "La Casa"
Website: www.uri.edu/mcc/lacasa
Teatro Latino Estudiantil is a theater group composed of Hispanics,
African-Americans, Anglos and Cape Verdeans. Its goal is to help young
Hispanics maintain their languages and culture heritage, while working to
integrate themselves into the wider community.
Uhuru SaSa (SASA)
Website: www.uri.edu/mcc/sasa
Uhuru SaSa denotes "Freedom Now." SASA's purpose is dedicated to establishing
and maintaining the cultural, social and educational enrichment of all people
who work and study at the University and community. It is its intention to accomplish
this through the pursuit of educational, historical, literary and artistic functions.
URI Breakdancing (UBD)
Website: www.uri.edu/mcc/dclub
The Breakdancing club of URI is committed to educate the campus
community about the complexity of thoughts and the level of skills
required to understand and appreciate breakdancing. Its members come from
all backgrounds and gender.
URI Hillel
Website: www.uri.edu/mcc/hillel
URI Hillel is the center for Jewish life on campus. Hillel offers
students the means to build Jewish community, while exploring, developing
and celebrating their Jewish identity in a dynamic, fun and comfortable environment.
Each year, Hillel connects students to their community, their peers and their heritage
through an array of social, cultural, and community service programs.

