By Roxanne Eusebio
Here at Cal State San Marcos, there are three social justice centers that are open to all students. These centers are places on campus where students can come together, hangout, do homework, and meet new people.
Cross Cultural Center:
Director: Sara Sheikh
Location: Commons 207
Hours: Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Friday 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
About: The Cross Cultural Center, also known as C3 is the longest running Social Justice Center on campus. For about seven years C3 has been focusing on exploring and expressing identity, cultural history and heritage, social justice, and advocacy for rights. The center is committed to educating and spreading awareness about social justice and multicultural issues, and creating a community of socially conscious people. C3 is not only a place to just hang out; it holds programs such as Multicultural Trivia which is an interactive way to discover and learn three different cultures every month. On the first day of school, C3 received about 200 visits. Open house for C3 is on Sept. 8 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“If I had to describe C3 in four words it would be: embrace, educate, empower, and explore” –Sara Sheikh
Women’s Center:
Director: Lea Burgess-Carland
Location: FCB 5-102 (by parking services)
Hours: Monday to Thursday 9 am to 5 pm; Friday 10 am to 12 pm
About: The Women’s Center educates students about social justice issues that affect women such as domestic violence, sexual equality, and eating disorders. The center is about empowerment and support for all students, especially women’s needs. The Women’s Center opened up in 2005, and since then it has been growing. Some events held throughout the year by the Women’s Center are Love Your Body Day, and Take Back the Night. Along with events, the Women’s Center publishes a newsletter about feminist social justice issues called “The Rag.” Open house for the Women’s Center is Sept. 9 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“The one thing I want people to take from the Women’s Center is that we are all about love”
-Jenilee Remigio (Communications Coordinator)
LGBTQ Pride Center:
Director: Robert Aiello-Hauser
Location: Commons 201
Hours: Monday to Tuesday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Wednesday to Thursday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
About: The youngest of the three centers, the LGBTQ Pride Center has been around for three years. It is a safe, inclusive, and affirming space for LGBTQ individuals and allies. The Pride Center provides information regarding campus and community news and events of interest, as well as providing outreach to LGBTQ individuals. Some upcoming events provided by the Pride Center are the Gender Bender Ball and Coming Out Monologues. The center also provides a newsletter that provides information about current LGBTQ social justice issues called, “The Queery.” Open house for the Pride Center is Sept 7 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“As the new Director of the Center, I am working hard to create an inclusive space that is a focal point for the entire CSUSM community”
-Robert Aiello- Hauser