Students searching for a new place to gather should look no further than the newly unveiled Intercultural Center, located in the Division of Inclusive Excellence suite in Roscoe West Hall.
The Intercultural Center was created as a dedicated space that provides support for underrepresented groups on campus and fosters intercultural dialogue, exchange, and understanding among all students, faculty, and staff.
“Feedback from students has been overwhelmingly positive,” says James Felton, vice president for inclusive excellence. “Creating inclusion-specific spaces is one of the ways to honor, affirm, and advocate for underrepresented student populations on campus.”
Students have hosted a variety of events at this location since its opening in October 2021, including open mic nights, roundtable discussions, and TCNJ’s veterans appreciation brunch.
The creation of the Intercultural Center as a fixture of the Inclusive Excellence suite drove the division’s move from the Brower Student Center to Roscoe West Hall. The suite is now positioned near other student-focused offices like the Accessibility Resource Center, Institutional Equity and Intercultural Affairs, the Career Center, and the Tutoring Center.
“Students who frequent the area appreciate that they can hang out, study, sponsor events, request accommodations, and schedule proctoring rooms all in a single location,” Felton says. “Such spaces allow institutions to be intentional and purposeful in sustaining a high level of engagement regarding issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion for all students, regardless of their cultural backgrounds and experiences.”
The TCNJ Foundation Board, the Alumni Association Board, and the college’s Strategic Initiatives Fund helped fund the suite, including the Intercultural Center, signaling their support of the division’s important work. Facilities Management, Media and Technology Support Services, and IT Services also assisted in the design and construction of the area.
— David Pavlak