Freshmen, transfers: ever feel lost? Out of place? A little overwhelmed with the new environment of Stetson and eager to find a diverse and interesting cast of encouraging and supportive friends?
Look no further than the Cross Cultural Center, otherwise known as the Tri-C, located on Bert Fish Drive, just behind the Hollis Center. This tiny little house is actually bursting with character, the slogan “Where Everyone is Welcome” plastering a wall.
The Cross Cultural Center is home to cultural campus organizations, including:
- Caribbean Student Association (CSA)
- STAND, a human rights organization
- Black Student Association (BSA)
- Asian Pacific American Coalition (APAC)
- Kaleidoscope, an LGBTQIA+ organization/GSA
- Unidos, a Latin-American student organization
- Muslim Student Association (MSA)
- Hillel, a Jewish student organization
- Stetson Organization for Native American Revitalization (SONAR)
- Stetson International Organization (SIO)
- Association of Disability Advocates (ADA)
- Peers Advocating for Disabilities (PAD)
These are all organizations that are related to a specific identity, but don’t worry—you don’t have to be Jewish to join Hillel, or be LGBT+ to join Kaleidoscope. Anyone who supports the cultures and identities for which these campus organizations stand is welcome to become a member, and help create engaging and informative events with which to educate the campus population.
After some time within a respective club, you may even earn an executive position, in which you take responsibility for the success of your org with positions ranging from secretary, social media director, event organizer, to vice president and president. Not only does it increase your resume, but it gives you valuable experience working with a team—while making friends along the way.
Even if you’re not particularly active in any of the organizations, the Tri-C is still an enjoyable hang-out spot. It has a kitchen, complete with refrigerator, oven, and stove, and both a Wii and Xbox 360 to play things like Mario Kart and Super Smash Bros. Brawl. It’s an excellent place to just lounge and make conversation with whoever happens to walk through the door, virtually all of these people being open-minded, engaging, and friendly characters.
I’m a junior now, but my first year I became extremely involved in Kaleidoscope. The people were extraordinarily friendly and understanding, and threw ridiculously fun parties (the campus-sponsored, non-drinking kind—and it was still a blast!) They went to great lengths to be supportive and inclusive, and put on many campus events. The most over-the-top was Pride Week, a full week jam-packed with informative and fun events that culminated in Pride Prom, which was a Harry Potter-themed prom that welcomed all types of couples. We even made a trip to Orlando for Orlando Pride, where I was deemed just a tad too enthusiastic:
But all of these campus orgs are consistently having meetings and hosting events, which you can attend or even become a part of! Whether you’re new to Stetson or have been here a while but had no idea of its existence, all are welcome and encouraged to swing by the Tri-C or contact the presidents of these organizations for more information about how to become involved.
