Student Organizations

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)
 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/
Black American Society is an open group geared towards educating individuals on Black culture and educate youth in the Black community, emphasising that having an education is important. In recognition of the need for a conscientious voice, BAS promotes the cultural, educational, political, and social needs of students, acknowledging the value of diversity in the Black student body.

Brothers on A New Direction (BOND)
http://www.uri.edu/mcc/studentorganizations/bond.html
Brothers on A New Direction (BOND) is an organization that is devoted to the development of young men socially, academically and mentally. Valuing the potential that lies in untapped ability, BOND focuses on the advancement of young men in college, helping them leave a lasting mark on the University.  

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 Scholars Association
 Website: www.uri.edu/mcc/cssa/
The Chinese Student Scholars Association has made its primary mission to advocate the communication and interaction among Chinese students, scholars, and the local Chinese community at the University. Assisting students in recreational activities and networking with Chinese scholars and alumni, CSSA also helps new Chinese students adapt to the US culture and society, keeping a strong pride of Chinese culture. Through past events such as the China Risings Honors Colloquium, CSSA helps in forming a strong bond in the URI Chinese community.

Cape Verdean Students Association (CVSA)
 Website: www.uri.edu/mcc/cvsa/
The Cape Verdean Student Association is a major presence on campus, promoting and illustrating the history of a rich culture to the student body, faculty and administration.  A student organization dedicated to cultural awareness and outreach, there is a commitment to promoting cultural, political, and historical programs to maintain a sense of identity within the University.

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.

FEDEA Gaming and Entertainment
http://www.uri.edu/mcc/studentorganizations/fedea.html
FEDEA Gaming and Entertainment is a multicultural organization of students who use a love of gaming and play to actively change and better the campus. Breaking common stereotypes of the typical gamer, FEDEA strives to make this area of entertainment more diverse and encourage interest through sponsored shows, concerts, and tournaments.

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 (ISA)
 Website: www.uri.edu/mcc/isa
The Indian Student Association, representing the Indian culture and promoting unity among its members and the community as a whole provides opportunities for members to share Indian culture through interaction with other student organizations in a continuing effort to positively influence perception and attitude of Indian culture, traditions, and history.

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.

Keep a Child Alive (KCA)
http://www.uri.edu/mcc/studentorganizations/kca.html
Keep A Child Alive increases awareness and provides accurate information about the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Africa and India. Through its numerous, student-oriented fundraisers, including the annual Black Ball, KCA has brought numerous campus student organizations together in the fight against a virus that has claimed so many lives.

Lambda Sigma Upsilon (LSU)
Lambda Sigma Upsilon is a group aimed at providing support to minority populations within the university. Following the four goals of academic excellence, cultural awareness and diversity, brotherhood, and being role models to the community LSU encourages and motivates students to excel.

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.

Native American Student Organization (NASO)
http://www.uri.edu/mcc/naso/naso.html
NASO is a student group on campus with the mission of bringing together people not only people of Native American descent, but all nationalities to embrace the rich Native American Culture

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
PINK Women strives to be an organization dedicated to providing a mechanism of empowerment to all women. Through a vision to create a network of academic and social support for all women of color, PINK has achieved personal development through establishment of events that seek to educate students, staff, and faculty on important issues that involve and concern women.

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.

Students for the Business of Change (SBC)
http://www.uri.edu/mcc/sbc/sbc.html
The mission of Students about the Business of Change is to be about the business of creating and innovating a change for the better in the world. Our primary goal is to educate the human race concerning conflicts that stem from natural disasters, poverty, race, inequality, and public health. S.B.C. intends on bringing awareness, as well as, raising monetary funds for causes in the world that often go unnoticed in fresh new ways. By doing so we hope to plant a seed in the minds of individuals so that a change can come in the way that we as individuals perceive, act, and live in the world.

Student Alliance for the Welfare of Africa (SAWA)
http://www.uri.edu/mcc/sawa/sawa.html
Students Alliance for the Welfare of Africa (SAWA) places Africa under a positive light for the benefit of everyone belonging to the University of Rhode Island and its surrounding community, and to increase their awareness and understanding of the several heritage and cultures of her people.

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 Club
 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.