Community & Cultural Centers

• Asian Center for Empowerment
• Betty Shabazz Cultural Center
• Eliana Ortega Cultural Center
• Eliot House
• Jeannette Marks House
• Wa-Shin-An Japanese Tea House and Meditation Garden
• Zowie Banteah Cultural Center

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.
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.
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.
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 Coordinator of Multicultural Affairs.

You can also contact the coordinator of Multicultural Affairs regarding any of the centers.