Multicultural Resource Center Opens with “Cracking the Codes” Event

The Multicultural Resource Center (MRC) is celebrating a successful inaugural year of promoting diversity and inclusion at UCSF.

Next steps for MRC: “Deepening our vital campus partnerships with programs that benefit students, faculty and staff,” said MRC Director Mijiza Sanchez. “We extend a very warm welcome to our incoming students and a ‘Welcome back’ to our current students.  MRC is your space to enjoy, and we hope to see you there very soon!”

The first major program of the year is “Cracking the Codes: The System of Racial Inequity with Dr. Shakti Butler.” This community event, a film screening and dialogue, will take place on October 8 at Cole Hall on Parnassus Campus from 5.30 p.m.-7.30 p.m. RSVP: tinyurl.com/mdtplbf.

The Center was created in response to letters from students and faculty members asking for a gathering place to promote a culture of inclusion and equity, cultural competency and inter-professional collaboration.

MRC’s keystone programs include the Under-represented in Health Sciences Mentorship Dinner Series (UIHS) and the UC Diversity Pipeline Initiative (UCDPI). Both initiatives provide professional development and mentorship opportunities for under-represented students. In addition, MRC organizes open mics, cultural events and art exhibits.

Located in Milberry Union (MU) 123, the Center has a contemporary, yet warm, atmosphere with sleek red and metallic furniture that is highly configurable. The room is equipped with a flat-screen TV, white board, refrigerator, microwave and a podium. MRC welcomes students across disciplines to utilize the space for studying, socializing and organizing initiatives that promote social justice.

The Center is open to all students from 7 a.m.–10 p.m. Groups must reserve the room for meetings.

A photo exhibit of 82 portraits celebrating the multiculturalism of the UCSF community, entitled “100% You,” is on display at the Center. The exhibit was first displayed in Millberry Union’s Golden Gate Room during Martin Luther King Week in January 2012.

The photos, shot by UCSF School of Dentistry photographer David Hand, is based on the “Hapa Project” of Kip Fulbeck, an author, artist, slam poet, filmmaker and art instructor at UC Santa Barbara.

“My goal is to build a community highlighting how multicultural we are at UCSF,” said Sanchez.  The MRC invites you to stop by and say hello. Please stay informed by visiting mrc.ucsf.edu or facebook/ucsfmulticulturalresourcecenter.