Multicultural Affairs Records

Finding Aid

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Collection Summary

Identifier

UA 47

Title

Multicultural Affairs Records

Creator

Multicultural Affairs, South Dakota State University

Dates

2002-2003

Extent

0.21 linear feet (1 small document case)

Language

English

Repository

South Dakota State University Archives and Special Collections, Hilton M. Briggs Library, Brookings, South Dakota.

Access note

This collection is open to researchers without restrictions. The materials in the Archives do not circulate and may be used in-house only.

Preferred Citation

Name of item . Multicultural Affairs Records. UA 47. South Dakota State University Archives and Special Collections, Hilton M. Briggs Library, Brookings, South Dakota.

Abstract

The Office of Multicultural Affairs at South Dakota State University develops campus initiatives that demonstrate the valued practice and philosophy of multiculturalism within the university community. This collection composed of flyers and broadside for events sponsored by the department.

Historical Note

The Office of Multicultural Affairs at South Dakota State University develops campus initiatives that demonstrate the valued practice and philosophy of multiculturalism within the university community. Programs and activities developed by the office promote high achievement among the increasing number of minority students at the university. The office enhances and compliments the university mission by broadening the social, cultural, educational and recreational experience of students. The Office of Multicultural Affairs offers support to student of color, implements multicultural and diversity programming, coordinates the National Student Exchange and the Minority Peer Mentor programs and assists in the recruitment of students of color.

The Minority Student Orientation is another program associated with the Office of Multicultural Affairs. This program is for new ethnic minorities (African American, Asian American, American Indian, or Latino) students attending South Dakota State University. This program gives students the opportunity to establish friendships and meet the people who will be there throughout their college education.

Cultural Organizations associated with this office include African Students' Association, Bangladesh Student's Organization, Chinese Students Association, Indian Students' Association, International Relations Club, Arabian Club, Black Student Alliance, Japanese Students' Association, Islamic Cultural Club, Malaysian Students' Association and the Native American Club. Archives related to these and other student organizations are filed under: UA 35 Student Organizations.

The Minority Peer Mentor Program is intended to help ethnic minority students make a successful academic and social transition to life at South Dakota State University and the community of Brookings, S.D. The program is designed to support the students' academic progress and social adjustment to the SDSU environment by utilizing university offices, departments, faculty, staff, programs and student organization to provide assistance, encouragement and practical experiences.

The purpose of this program is to assist the University in maintaining a consistent minority enrollment with a focus on retention and graduation by providing students with a support system that is based on a one-to-one interactive relationship between upper-class students and ethnic minority freshmen students.

The goal of the program is to develop intellectual curiosity, teach academic and time management skills, discuss cultural and diversity issues, and address personal and interpersonal concerns.

The role of a peer mentor is to act as peer advisors to their mentees. They discuss issues, concerns and/or difficulties their mentee is experiencing. Mentors will be responsible for establishing supportive relationships with participating freshmen. They provide resource information and referrals to various campus resources. Mentors serve as role models to incoming freshmen by maintaining high academic standards.

Contents Note

This collection is composed of flyers and broadside for events sponsored by the department.

Key Words

South Dakota State University. Minority Peer Mentor Program.

South Dakota State University. Office of Multicultural Affairs.

Container List

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Administrative Information

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open to researchers without restrictions. The materials in the Archives do not circulate and may be used in-house only.

Researchers conducting extensive research are asked to make an advance appointment to access archival material. Please call or e-mail prior to visiting the collection and indicate as much detail as possible about a particular topic and intended use.

South Dakota State University supports access to the materials, published and unpublished, in its collections. Nonetheless, access to some items may be restricted as a result of their fragile condition or by contractual agreements with donors.

Copyright note

Copyright restrictions apply in different ways to different materials. Many of the documents and other historical materials in the Archives are in the public domain and may be reproduced and used in any way. There are other materials in the Archive carrying a copyright interest and must be used according to the provisions of Title 17 of the U.S. Code. The Archive issues a warning concerning copyright restrictions to every researcher who requests copies of documents. Although the copyright law is under constant redefinition in the courts, it is ultimately the responsibility of the researcher to properly use copyrighted material.

Arranged and Described by

Crystal J. Gamradt, 2003 April 8, additions made 2008 November 4.