|
Home > College Offices > Dean of Students > Student Handbook > Campus Life > Cultural Community Centers
Cultural Community Centers
Asian Center for Empowerment
The Asian Center for Empowerment, at 15 Woodbridge Street, serves the needs of the Asian and Asian American student community as well as providing space for the International Students Club.
Betty Shabazz Cultural Center
The Betty Shabazz Cultural Center, located at 2 Dunlap Place, provides cultural space for students of African descent. The space is used throughout the academic year for members of the Mount Holyoke College community to gather and to hold classes, lectures, or social events.
The center was established in 1973 and was originally known as the Martha Rolston Perkins Cultural Center. Ms. Perkins was, at the time, the oldest living African American Alumna (class of 1898). In 1980 the name of the center was changed to the Betty Shabazz Cultural Center to honor the wife of slain civil rights leader Malcolm X.
The Betty Shabazz Cultural Center is open to the entire Mount Holyoke Community. During the academic year, the house is open 7:00 PM to midnight Sunday through Thursday, and 1:00 to 5:00 PM on Sunday. The center can be reserved by any member of the Mount Holyoke College community who wishes to host an event or special function. The center is staffed with housesitters who are responsible for the running and maintenance of the center. Contact APAU (Association of Pan-African Unity) and the house coordinator for further details.
Eliana Ortega Cultural Center
The Eliana Ortega Cultural Center, at 4 Dunlap Place, is located across from the Pattie Groves Health Center. The Eliana Ortega Cultural Center provides cultural space for students who identify as Latina or whose heritage is Latina. During the academic year, the house is used for classes, lectures, receptions and a variety of social events.
The center was opened in the fall of 1995, although La Unidad, the student organization which maintains this center, has been a part of campus life for over twenty years. The center is open Sunday through Thursday from 7:00 PM to midnight, and on Saturdays from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM. The center also can be reserved by any member of the Mount Holyoke College community. Contact La Unidad and the house coordinator for more details. The center is staffed with housesitters who are responsible for the running and maintenance of the house.
Eliot House
Eliot House is the center of spiritual life on campus and is itself a symbol of the religious pluralism at Mount Holyoke. It's the site of both Wa-Shin-An, an authentic Japanese teahouse and meditation garden, and the Kosher/Hallal kitchen, where meals are prepared according to Jewish and Islamic dietary laws and talks are given on religious and ethical issues. The kitchen is run by two students, one from the Muslim Students Association and one from the Jewish Student Union. The College retains a Catholic, a Protestant, a Jewish, and a Muslim spiritual adviser. Mount Holyoke is distinctive among liberal arts colleges and universities in its appointment of a Muslim adviser. Catholic and Protestant services, which are often accompanied by music from student groups, take place in Abbey Memorial Chapel. Jewish services and Muslim prayer services are held in Eliot House.
Jeannette Marks House
The Jeannette Marks House, located at 5 Faculty Lane, provides a safe space and community center for Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning and Allied students. The space is used by members of the community to meet, hold events, and take advantage of resources available, such as the Queer-friendly library.
The house was established in 1999 as a part of the student protests of 1997. It was named after Jeannette Marks, a Mount Holyoke professor and partner of former President Mary Woolley.
The Marks House is open to the entire Mount Holyoke community. During the academic year, the house is open everyday 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM. The house can be reserved by any member of the Mount Holyoke College community who wishes to host an event or special function. The house is staffed with housesitters who are responsible for the running and maintenance of the house. Please contact the House Coordinators for more information, or check out Jeannette Marks House online.
Wa-Shin-An Japanese Tea House and Meditation Garden
Translated "Peace-Mind-House," Wa-Shin-An is an authentic meditation garden and tea house affording students and visitors the opportunity to experience the silence and subtlety of the non-Western spiritual tradition. Built in 1984, it is located on the top floor of Eliot House. The garden was designed by landscape artist Osamu Shimiqu, and the teahouse was built by architect Teruo Hara who said, "My main purpose is to create a very quiet space which somehow shows people that there are different solutions."
Tours are provided by student guides (kagi) daily, and tea ceremonies are generally held every week. Reservations are required for the tea ceremonies and are accepted at the front desk in the Eliot House lobby one-week prior to the ceremony. Groups and classes may arrange for special tours by calling the Eliot House office. Meditation instruction is offered. And private tea lessons may be arranged on an individual basis with the Wa-Shin-An tea mistress and consultant.
Zowie Banteah Cultural Center
The Zowie Banteah Cultural Center, at 4 Dunlap Place, is located on the top floor of the Eliana Ortega House. The center provides cultural space for students who identify as Native American or have Native American ancestry. During the academic year, students host various programs, both academic and social, in the center. For information about when the center is open and how to reserve it, please contact the Zowie Banteah Cultural Center or the Office of the Dean of Students.
The center was opened in the fall of 1995 and was originally known as Native Spirit. In the spring of 1997, the center was renamed the Zowie Banteah Cultural Center to honor the alumna who was instrumental in founding the house.
You can also contact the assistant dean of students regarding any of the centers.
|
