By Jeff Murphy,
August 31, 2016
WARRENSBURG, MO – Contributing to the University of Central Missouri’s efforts to
create an atmosphere of openness and acceptance for the campus community, the Board
of Governors recently approved the naming of the new Center for Multiculturalism and
Inclusivity (CMI). Board action on this naming opportunity took place during the plenary
session Aug. 18 in the Elliott Student Union.
The CMI is related to the university’s mission and core values, which include a commitment
to attracting and supporting a diverse body of students, faculty and staff members.
The center has opened in renovated space located on the third floor of the Elliott
Student Union, south of the English Language Center, and is continuing to be developed
by the Office of Mentoring, Advocacy and Peer Support (MAPS) .
Student-focused, the CMI has features that include two classrooms which may be reserved
by university organizations, organizational storage space, an office with four cubicles,
high-definition televisions, Wi-Fi access, and tables, which can be used by students
during meetings in the office or simply to relax and visit with friends.
With the opening of this new center, the university also has named a new multicultural
outreach specialist, Alesha Bowman, who will begin her duties in the CMI Sept. 12.
Also planning to work out of this facility is
Tara Napoleone-Clifford, MAPS IDEAS coordinator, who is relocating from an office
in Dockery Hall.
“The MAPS office is very excited to announce the opening of the Center for Multiculturalism
and Inclusivity,” Napoleone-Clifford, said adding that grand opening activities will
take place later this fall. “Organizational planning for this celebration is underway,
but the CMI will be offering opportunities for students to get involved.”
“CMI is looking forward to listening to the campus community for suggestions and paths
to follow as the CMI is a product of more than the MAPS office, it is a community
entity,” Napoleone-Clifford said.
According to Board of Governors’ documents, in leading the charge for this new facility,
the MAPS office was directed to “help create a center that leads and supports the
development and facilitation of positive and proactive initiatives that increase access,
opportunity, equity, diversity and inclusivity in all aspects of university life.
Inherent in this charge is the intent to develop an awareness of social, political,
cultural, and ethical issues in the belief that this awareness will lead to concern
for, participation in, and improvement to society.”
To achieve this goal, board documents note, “it is understood that students must learn
how to interact with and understand people who are ethnically, racially, and culturally
different from themselves as we strive to create a community free from bias and harassment.”
The CMI will have extended hours that are conducive to the student environment, and
will welcome people of all backgrounds, identities and perspectives as the university
strives to create an atmosphere in which all people feel welcome and secure. Funding
for this facility is derived from university auxiliary funds, however, some additional
expenses related to titling, including printed materials, will be funded by MAPS.
To learn more about the CMI, contact Napoleone-Clifford at napoleone@ucmo.edu or 660-543-4156.
