Multicultural Student Affairs Banner

The Office of Multicultural Student Affairs main focus is to offer resources, opportunities, and advocacy for all students within the Benedictine communities. As a division of Student Life, we celebrate our rich diversity in order to cultivate a welcoming environment where everyone can learn, grow, and thrive.

Our goal is to enhance access, diversity, equity, and inclusion on campus and to elevate the student experience for all students, with a particular emphasis on historically marginalized and systematically under-served populations by:

  • Serving members of the Benedictine campus communities who have experienced racism, ableism, sexism, ageism, homophobia, xenophobia or any form(s) of discriminatory actions attributed to one’s identities.
  • Offering training and performing outreach for all campus and community members to prevent issues of bias, discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct, and retaliation.
  • Providing guidance, support culturally identified student organizations.
  • Fostering leadership and development opportunities.
  • Collaborating with student groups to create educational and cultural events/programs.
  • Empowering students to develop their own decision-making and solution-oriented skills.
  • Advising students in the academic, personal, cultural, social, and financial areas of their lives
  • Guiding students in crisis to resources.
  • Advocating for students on policies and procedures that may impact their educational experience.

Below are just a small sample of the wonderful events hosted by Multicultural Student Affairs this year! 

Photo captions from top left as you look at the screen going clockwise:

India Night 2022 – A cultural celebration of the dancing, acting, food, and fashion of the many facets of India sponsored by the SouthEast Asian Student Association and Hindi Student Association.

Interfaith Week 2022 – An opportunity to explore a few of the many faiths represented on the BenU campus, such as Catholicism, Hinduism, Humanism, and Islam. Co-Sponsored event by Campus Ministry and the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs with the Muslin Student Association and Hindu Student Association.

Goodwin Hall Lobby – A great place to kick back and see diversity in action. Where friends meet to share a cupcake or just a few study tips. Goodwin is a great place to find a club or organization doing a fundraiser that involves food! Cupcakes provided by the UNICEF Student Organization.

Black History Month 2022 - Shades of Success Speakers Series. This year we welcomed back to campus some of are notable alumni to give inspirational talks about life after college and the job search process. Events sponsored by the Benedictine Alumni Association and the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs

The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Week 2022 – Men’s Basketball Game against Illinois Institute of Technology. Benedictine University paid tribute to Dr. King’s legacy by wearing special t-shirts during warm ups. Fans and guest were treated by special opening remarks by our Chief Mission Officer and received a free t-shirt too! Event sponsored by Benedictine Athletics and the Student Affairs

Interfaith Week 2022 – Two of our most popular student organizations HSA and MSA, set up tables in Goodwin Lobby to discuss their faiths and how working with others on campus has had a positive impact on their lives. Co-Sponsored event by Campus Ministry and the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs with the Muslin Student Association and Hindu Student Association.

Black History Month 2022 – Double Feature Movie Night! Co-Sponsored by the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs and the Benedictine Student Senate.

msa collage sp22

Logo OMSA

We want all students, staff, and faculty to feel safe and welcomed within the Benedictine University community and that includes learning about, understanding, and respecting each other completely. 


Reporting Issues of Concern
Benedictine University takes instances of discrimination, sexual assault and harassment, and, misconduct very seriously. University personnel will review and address these situations within the BenU community on a case-by-case basis; taking into consideration: actual or perceived race, color, creed, ethnicity, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender, gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws and ordinances.

Select the link below that most closely resembles your area of concern. 

Hate/Bias Reporting Form: A hate/bias incident is any physical, verbal, emotional, and/or psychological harmful act that is motivated by (or appears to be motivated by, in whole or in part) any of the following factors: race/ehnicity, religion, national origin/immigration/citizenship status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, economic status, language, age, size, pregnancy or family/marital status, disability, veteran or military status, or any other identity status protected in university policy. 

Title IX/Sexual Assault and Harassment: Policy Against Sex-Based Discrimination, Harassment, Sexual Assault and Misconduct, Other Forms of Sexual Violence, Dating and Domestic Violence and Stalking

Employee Discrimination: Employees may make anonymous reporting using the Anonymous Reporting Form. Student's should report any instances of discrimination from staff or faculty, on the Hate/Bias form above.  

Public Safety Issues: Public Safety serves and protects students, faculty, staff, and guests of the university and is committed to maintaining the highest standards of personal integrity and ethics. If you observe someone commit a crime on campus or are thinking about reporting a misdeed, but do not want to become involved, you can submit an anonymous message to us using the silent witness report form.

 

Elaine L. Davies, Ph.D
Director, The Office of Multicultural Student Affairs
178 Krasa Center
edavies@ben.edu
630-829-6495