Campus Community Development
The Office of Multicultural Affairs at Stony Brook University operates under a set of six principles proposed by the Carnegie Foundation and Ernest Boyer (1990) to foster the development of community on college campuses. Here, we define community as an environment that creates a sense of belonging and purpose, incorporating the following six elements:
- Purposeful:To create an ideal sense of community, there must be a clear sense of purpose. Academics and development of character, a commitment to self and community, are the primary reasons for the existence of a university. Accordingly, the Office of Multicultural Affairs has integrated academics and co-curricular activities through contributions to the School of Social Welfare, Department of Africana Studies, and course internships.
- Open: Atrue community welcomes a variety of viewpoints and beliefs. The Office of Multicultural Affairs continually contributes to campus openness, facilitating expression of differing perspectives as well as the presentation of an array of cultural and educational programs.
- Just: A just community is a place where the value of each individual is recognized and where diversity is championed. At Stony Brook, where diversity is constantly in the spotlight, the Office of Multicultural Affairs promotes inclusion through administering the Diversity Grant Program and coordination of the Student African American Brotherhood National Organization. The office also coordinates a number of other diversity-related programs and events.
- Disciplined: A university community is disciplined, in that individuals accept their responsibility to the larger group and where clear guidelines govern behavior. The Office of Multicultural Affairs has guidelines and expectations that cover everything from program development to student –faculty/staff interaction.
- Caring: To feel as if one is accepted by the community, one must feel that others truly care. This is particularly vital at a large institution like Stony Brook. The Office of Multicultural Affairs often assumes a caring role, acting as a student advocate, advisor, or mentor.
- Celebrative: A campus community is celebrative, full of tradition and recognition of the university's heritage and ongoing accomplishments. The Office of Multicultural Affairs celebrates Stony Brook University through a variety of programming and initiatives designed to value the cultural significance of our diverse campus. These programs include annual celebrations like the Festival of Lights, Black History month, and Journey Around the World: Multicultural Show and Food Tasting.
