The MSC

Since the Fall of 1988 the Multicultural Student Center (MSC) has been providing out-of-classroom experiences where students and other members of the University community can learn about and appreciate other cultures. The UW-Madison campus values diversity and the MSC has been providing opportunities by which differences can be celebrated. The MSC focuses its resources on the needs of five designated student of color groups (African American, American Indian, Asian American, Chicano and Puerto Rican). The Multicultural Student Center is a unit of the Office of the Dean of Students and is located on the second floor of The Old Red Gym, 716 Langdon St.

History

In response to a recommendation originally made in the December 1987 Holly Report of the steering Committee on Minority Affairs, and supported by a report by the Ad Hoc Committee on a Multicultural Center as part of the Madison Plan, the Chancellor's Office assigned the Dean of Students Office the task of organizing and opening a Multicultural Center. From these reports came the recommendation to create a centrally located center which, at the outset, focuses on the needs of five designated American ethnic groups (as currently provided on the Multicultural Council): African American, American Indian, Asian American, Chicano/a and Puerto Rican. The Committee stated that such a focus will provide an atmosphere and program that will increase the chances of academic achievement; help create a sense of belonging and well-being among students of color; foster better relations within and among designated groups and between American students of color and Euro-American communities. The center also strives to build stronger links with UW-Madison and the Madison community.