Affinity Spaces on campus sought over by SJI&IP seek to foster a sense of belonging and offer resources to the very diverse communities of students that attend UC Merced. It is our goal to advocate for our underreprersented scholars and celebrate their successes among their hardships tied to their identities. These are safe and affirming spaces aimed at creating social change. They are progressive and welcoming spaces where students can either study or relax. Each resource center hosts cultural and identity based events to offer an outlet and strengthen bonds between students and their community.
Under the Office of Social Justice Initiatives & Identity Programs, the Asian & Pacific Islander (API) Resource Center established at the University of California, Merced will aim to promote and provide a safe space for progressive dialogue to manifest for students in the Asian & Pacific Islander diaspora. The API Cultural Resource Center aims to increase retention of UCM Scholars identifying in the API diaspora by providing a support system to navigate academia and the professional world while empowering scholars in their intersectional identity. Through the work accomplished at this center, we will preserve, uplift, and showcase the history and voices of the Asian & Pacific Islander communities.
The Black Student Resource Center (BSRC) aims to serve the African, Black and Caribbean community by promoting and providing a safe place to students to engage in progressive dialogue to create unity and confidence within the ABC community at UC Merced. The BSRC also aims to increase retention of UC Merced Scholars identifying in the ABC diaspora by providing a support system and center resources to navigate academia and the professional world. Through the work accomplished at this center, we will preserve, uplift, and showcase the history and voices of the African Black and Caribbean community.
The UC Merced LGBTQ+ Pride Center provides an inclusive space for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans*, Two-Spirit, Queer, Questioning, Asexual, Intersex, Pansexual, Omnisexual, same gender loving people and ally students, faculty and staff and their intersecting identities to grow, succeed, build community, experience affirmation and empowerment while at UC Merced through the resources, services, programs, advocacy, and events offered by the center.
With a focus on social justice, coalition building, education/training, collective healing and student agency, the Multicultural Center seeks to serve the UC Merced community and aspires to cultivate, explore, provide opportunities for interactions, connections – a sense of belonging, and gain knowledge to be equipped and prepared to thrive in a diverse global society.
