The Multicultural Student Union (MSU) is a progressive group of students that collaborates with others to provide educational opportunities on matters of diversity. MSU is among the biggest and most established non-faculty groups at various schools and universities worldwide. Throughout the year, MSU hosts several social, athletic, and charitable activities that are a terrific opportunity to meet new people and have fun! This group was formed to educate and bring awareness to the diversity of cultural backgrounds at Eureka College.
The MSU is a safe space for all students on the Eureka campus. About a year ago, it was known as the Black Student Union, but it has come to attention by non-Black students that they want a safe space created from them as well.
“Other cultural groups on campus want a space of their own as well, so the vice president and I had no issue with welcoming them into this space, so the name switched to Multi-Cultural Student Union for that purpose,” said Genisis Flournoy, President of MSU.
With that being said, there aren’t any other cultural groups on Eureka campus, so combining the group as one was a great decision overall. Students that don’t look like each other have this group to feel comfortable around their peers and classmates outside of classes.
The MSU has given all students a space to feel comfortable working together to create ideas for the campus, and to ensure all students’ concerns are met by having an open conversation in regard to solutions for those concerns.
MSU has been promoting and planning campus events for students to attend. Before the Spring semester started, MSU planned a back-to-school barbeque to welcome new students, and for returning students to enjoy a day of fun with each other.
The Multicultural Student Union is always open to new members and welcomes anyone to the MSU events and meetings that happen throughout the week. “Anyone’s voice can be heard if you have an issue to talk about at the meetings,” Flournoy said.
The next steps for MSU will be seen throughout campus with their upstanding goals they have in place as a group.
“We would love to partner with other academic departments to build a better bridge between students and staff and faculty,” said Maleah Hill, Vice President of the MSU.
Eureka College believes in the success of all groups on campus. With there being no cultural group, the MSU has taken in all students and has support from all around campus. The biggest support comes from within, the students themselves, because without them, the Multicultural Student Union wouldn’t exist, nor would their successful events. Thank you to the student body of Eureka College that help make this group possible.
