Clubs bring students together

By Jennifer Umaña
Daily Forty-Niner

Segregation is not the idea behind cultural organizations at Cal State Long Beach.

Instead, the groups are meant to bring the campus community closer together, said Director of Student Life and Development Stuart Farber.

These organizations, which encompass a variety of cultures, serve three main purposes, Farber said

"First, to provide human contact with others who have similar cultural interests," he said.

Second, to enrich the campus for all students.

Finally, and most importantly, the organizations "provide an opportunity for students to make friends and connect with the campus," he said.

"Many of these clubs provide major program activities for everyone to go to."

Organizations that come under the Student Life and Development umbrella cannot discriminate against potential members on the basis of race, sex, disability, religion, or national origin according to the California Code of Regulations, Title 5, Sections 41500-41503.

Some programs on campus are designed to teach students to adhere to law.

Jerry Kernes, a psychology intern in Counseling and Psychological Services, is organizing a program called "Voices of Discovery." The program will bring in students from different ethnicities and cultural backgrounds to share their perceptions of one another's groups and find a way to look beyond the stereotypes and biases.

The best way to get past the preconceptions one has about the cultural organizations is to learn more about them, Kernes said

"Anyway that you can bring yourself into a group that is different than your own Ö expanding beyond your safety and security, that is good for everyone," he said.

Leah Yoshizaki, vice president of the Nikkei Student Union, agrees.

"If they took the time to come to a meeting and talk to us, they would feel welcome just like everyone else," Yoshizaki said.

The Nikkei Student Union, which focuses on the Japanese culture and performs community services, includes more than just members of Japanese descent, she said.

Farber also feels that visiting the groups is the best way.

"Go to the meetings and find out exactly what's going on," he said.

Some of the cultural organizations on campus include: the Black Student Union, La Raza Student Association, the Armenian Student Association and the Pilipino American Coalition.

The advisers contribute to the growth and flourishment of these organizations by helping plan programs, market the programs and bring in other students, Farber said.