Multicultural Affairs

Unity + Diversity = University

The purpose of the Multicultural leadership Institute is to provide a forum for discussing issues related to the transition of first-year students of color to Rider. Through a series of open-ended meetings/seminars, future Rider student leaders of color will receive guidance from and interact with Rider faculty, staff, and alumni.

Recognizing that leadership is a process of growth, issues will include three phases: college survival strategies, self-exploration, and cross-cultural communication. Each of these skills is essential for the development of effective student leaders at Rider University.

Multicultural Diversity Training

The Center for Multicultural Affairs and Community Service compliments and supports the university’s efforts to teach and foster understanding and appreciation of different cultures—ways of life shared by groups of people.

Cultural diversity at Rider is viewed as an essential part of our educational mission. The purpose of diversity training involves not only providing support for those who are different but simultaneously educating everyone for living in a multicultural society.

Campus-wide diversity training at Rider was initiated the fall semester of 1991. To date, programs include:

• Freshman Orientation
• Training for Staff of the Student Affairs Division and Student Organizations
• Satellite Teleconferences on diversity training

The Center also holds an array of campus wide programs aimed towards diversity appreciation and comprehension. Some programs the Center participates in or hosts are:

• UNITY Day
• Celebration of Lights
• World AIDS Day
• Black History Month
• Hispanic Heritage Month
• Asian Appreciation Month
• Coming Out Day
• Annual Diversity Retreat
• MSLI Summer Bridge Program

Research/Collections of Multicultural Information and Displays

One of the primary functions of the Center for Multicultural Affairs and Community Service is to offer a repository of cultural and historical information to Rider University. Emphasis focuses on works of important African, African American, Hispanic/Latino, and Asian authors. Many periodicals, publications, and culturally related books are available in the Center.
Many periodicals, publications and culturally related books are available in the Center. Periodicals include: Savoy, Essence, Hispanic, Black Issues in Higher Learning, The Crisis, U.S. News and World Report, and Choctaw Community News.

Support for Campus Cultural and Ethnic Organizations

The Center for Multicultural Affairs and Community Service supports all of the ethnic based organizations. The Center coordinates and promotes program efforts with all campus cultural organizations. Here are a few of Rider University’s more popular cultural organizations:

• Asian Students at Rider (ASAR)
• Black Student Union (BSU)
• Gay Straight Alliance (GSA)
• German Club
• HILLEL (Jewish Student Organization)
• International Club
• Latin American Student Organization (LASO)
• Muslim Student Association (MSA)
• Rider's Organization of Caribbean Affiliated Students (ROCAS)
• Slavic Club