By: Autumn Foltz
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (UATV) — On Wednesday, Jan. 29, the Multicultural Center officially reopened after being temporarily relocated to Garland Ave. for almost a year.
The MCC on the fourth floor of the union was redesigned to become more functional and to create more connections among students. Collaborations and partnerships are important to the center, and the key to making the MCC more functional is having enough space.
Adrain Smith, Director of the MCC, emphasized the Multicultural Center’s role in creating a sense of community on campus.
“To provide opportunities for students to find a community, engage in the community, and be a part of the community. When you think about belonging, it’s both place and space,” said Smith.
The MCC inherited the union’s entire fourth floor, which is the most significant renovation. Previously, the two sides of the MCC were physically divided due to the University Programs Theater. The theater transformed into what they call “the pit,” which is a large space for students to engage in community. This includes hanging out with friends, studying alone or in a group, executive meetings, and more. MCC Director Adrian Smith said this was the connection piece it needed.
“I’m excited. Just to be able to now have a much more functional space, but to also have some amenities that we didn’t have for students,” said Smith.
Another renovated area was the classroom, which can now be flipped quickly and easily for various uses. The heart of the center, the kitchen, was expanded five feet to make it more functional, with more cabinets, seating, and a coffee station. Lastly, the MCC inherited the Anne Kittrel Art Gallery, which will showcase students’ work related to the Multicultural Center.
New signage was put up all around the center, intentionally connecting it and explaining each space’s purpose. The center also added more audio aspects and sound systems to the main areas: the “pit,” lounge, kitchen, and art gallery.
The popular “Z-room” is the one renovation that was minimized. It is now called the “Plug” and is specifically meant for prayer, meditation and relaxation. The “Plug” room has prayer mats, yoga mats and a diversity resource box.
Due to occurrences that the MCC cannot control, some furniture is still on the way.
Smith expressed his excitement to be back in the space and how the new furniture and amenities will positively impact students and staff. It helps weave both sides of the center.
“The biggest way it will impact students is that they have a space again. We recognized when we moved to Garland that there would be a drop off in students coming,” said Smith.
Being back in a centralized place on campus, the MCC noticed students have been stumbling across it more often. Smith said one of the guiding things they wanted was the design of the MC to be “the place to be,” and a “natural landing spot” when students came across the center. “To become, to belong, and to be you,” is what the center takes pride in.
Students and staff can check out the Multicultural Center from 6:00 a.m. to midnight.
This Multicultural Center Interactive Map has the address of the MCC.
