Despite Change, A Home Remains

July 15, 2008
SAN DIEGO, Calif.
Brittany Armellino

From the second floor of Price Center East, three large, black C’s signify arrival at UCSD’s Cross-Cultural Center. Immediately upon entrance, the mission of the building is revealed: diversity should be cherished. Behind the front desk in the lobby, an array of colors highlights the importance of the words they spell out. Purple, orange, blue, green, and red. The words encourage visitors or those who call the “Cross” home to “resist”, “act locally”, “speak truth” and to “know justice, know peace”. This building is The Cross-Cultural Center’s new home, one which they moved into in the spring of 2008.

The new building, found in the middle of the campus’ student center, is quite different from the mail room that The Cross-Cultural Center resided in for ten years. However, despite the differences, the center still retains its original principles and mission. Students who call the center their home, or even those who are only visiting, receive the same sense of belonging and acceptance they experienced at the old mail room. Regardless of the vast changes, a home remains for them.

The staff at the Cross-Cultural Center explain that the old building was an inclusive place because everyone knew each other and, ironically, because it was difficult to find. The new center, however, draws increased attention and new individuals, the staff says. Some of these new visitors even come just to use the restroom or to view the mission statement.

Nancy Magpusao, the program coordinator, hopes to attract new people to the fold, insisting, “People are here for the way it feels, not just the physical place.” No matter where it goes, the Cross-Cultural Center will always be a place for diversity.

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