The Office of Multicultural Student Affairs focuses on how we live out our Hallmarks of Community, Hospitality, and Love within our Benedictine community. We aspire to create a learning environment in which we prioritize critical thinking, respectful dialogue, and meaningful educational interactions. We advocate for access, equity, and inclusion for historically marginalized and systematically under-served populations. Our focus also includes initiatives that address gender-based violence through a lens of social change; cultivating healthy relationships; celebrating our diversity; and striving for an inclusive and equitable environment where we can all learn and grow together.
The Office provides training, educational programming, and outreach; advises on policies and procedures to remedy discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct, and any related retaliation. We work to create a community that is safer, more inclusive and equitable; ensuring that all individuals are treated with dignity, compassion, and respect.
Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15th to October 15th, recognizes the contributions and influence of Hispanic Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States. September 15th was selected as the start of the month because Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua all declared independence on that day in 1821. Further, Mexico, Chile, and Belize celebrate their independence days on September 16, September 18, and September 21st respectively. 17% of Benedictine University’s student population have self-identified as Hispanic, who represent a large variety of cultures. It is important to recognize the significant impact that our Hispanic students have had on our community as well as after their finish their degrees at BenU. Be sure to watch your Ben.edu emails for upcoming events celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, and reach out to the Association of Latino American Students (insert email address) if you would like to participate in their activities.
Here are some upcoming events to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month:
- Hispanic Heritage Month Student Panel, hosted by ALAS: Sept. 21, 2021, 12:30pm in KN 162
- ALAS Hosted Movie Night, Sept. 30, 2021
- Free Hispanic Meals, Oct. 19, 2021
- Visiting Scholar in Catholic Thought, Dr. Natalia Imperatori-Lee: "Latino/a Theology and the Church in the Third Millennium." Oct. 20, 2021, 7:00pm
- BenTalk on Hispanic/Latinx Issues: Oct. 21, 2021, 12:20pm
- Sugar Skill Decorating, Oct. 26, 2021
Visit the University Calendar for additional information and registration information.
