March 03, 2009
On a
cold, windy day in February, several students, faculty and
administrators gathered in the Kelleher Center on St. John’s Staten Island campus
during the University’s common hour. But they were not there
as guests at a lecture. They were waiting to participate in the
annual Multicultural
Advisory Committee (MAC) Student Forum.
The President's Multicultural Advisory Committee formed in 2004,
was created to address both the broad issues of multiculturalism in
higher education and the specific multicultural needs of the St.
John’s University community. The forum, held annually at the
Manhattan, Staten Island and Queens campuses, is an opportunity for
students to provide recommendations that will help the University
better serve its increasingly diverse population.
“Our
job as faculty and administrators is to ensure that every student
at St. John’s participates and benefits from the resources of this
institution,” stated Reginald Barnes, Director of Multicultural
Affairs as he opened the forum. He then threw out the question,
“How inclusive has Staten Island become?”
During the February 24 forum, the group discussed the progress MAC
has made in fostering an inclusive campus environment on the Staten
Island campus– one of the Multicultural Advisory Committee’s
central goals. They also addressed general questions and concerns
students had about improving the overall quality of campus life on
Staten Island.
“I would like to commend the committee because student life has
certainly improved since my freshman year,” said senior in St.
John’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Martha Nwosa. “I am now
a senior and there is more diversity in terms of students as well
as events and things to do on campus. When I first came here there
was not much to do on campus. Now I hear people complaining that
there’s too much to do!”
Students voiced their thoughts and concerns on topics ranging from
scheduling conflicts to efficient methods of promoting events. They
also consistently cited the Discover New
York class for its success, not only in acclimating students to
living in New York City, but exposing them to the vibrant student
life on Staten Island.
“Freshmen have repeatedly told me that the Discover New York class
helped orient them to campus life at St. John’s. Discover New York
is an ideal forum to learn about all of the exciting events and
activities happening on Staten Island and generate an overall
enthusiasm for St. John’s,” said Sharon Lynch Norton, Esq., Vice
Provost of the Staten Island campus.
As the forum concluded and students began to leave for classes, a
feeling of accomplishment filled the room, “I have seen a lot of
positive changes on campus,” said Christopher Ellis, a senior in
St. John’s College of Professional Studies. “It’s a good feeling
and I hope it continues.”
The next MAC Student Forum is scheduled for March 24, at St. John’s
Manhattan campus. For more information about the Multicultural
Advisory Committee or information about upcoming meetings please
contact Reggie Barnes at
(718) 990-7978 or visit the Multicultural Advisory Committee Web
page.