It can be difficult to fit in at a large university like LSU, which is why the Office of Multicultural Affairs believes finding a way to feel comfortable is key to a successful college experience.
Wednesday afternoon, the OMA held an open house for all students to come and see what the University has to offer for those looking find their niche in the community.
Organizations in attendance included the Hispanic Student Cultural Society, Spectrum, the Black Student Union, and the Asian American Ambassadors.
Ronda Williams, assistant director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs says that the OMA aims to help students in any way they can, and the open house was intended to get students involved.
“The main purpose of this open house is to get students more acquainted with the programs and services that we offer,” Williams said.
Williams said that one of the most underused services the OMA offers is free tutoring, a service she says can be helpful to anyone who wants it.
“We offer free tutoring in speech, Spanish, and some chemistry and biology courses,” Williams said. “We just don’t see the number of students we would like to … we want to see that number increase.”
Williams said that the tutoring has always been a part of the OMA and students are missing out by not using them as a resource.
“There are tutors in different departments but our tutors know how to help. They are required to have an A in the course that they tutor in,” Williams said.
Williams said that the University is a more diverse place than people realize and the OMA plays a key role by facilitating diversity throughout the University.
“The University wants to incorporate diversity into everything that they do and this office is paramount to making sure that happens,” Williams said.
“Multicultural” is term that can be loaded with different meanings according to Williams, but it should not be taken to mean that any groups are excluded because they might not be considered diverse by some.
“A lot of times you think you would only see African-American or Hispanic or Latino students in this office, but the truth is that everybody benefits from the services we offer,” said Williams. “We want more non-minority students to take a part in our programs too.”