History
of the Center – Out of Protest …Comes Progress
The
Cultural Center at DePaul University has a shared history with
similar institutions on college campuses across the country. It
was conceived in response to student protest that challenged the
institution to increase its commitment to marginalized students,
who recognized that there was a need for a space for students to
see their cultural heritage and experiences honored and
celebrated.
Two
important events precipitated the creation of the Cultural
Center. In May 1994, Latino students who were concerned about
questionable personnel decisions in the Office of Multicultural
Student Affairs decided to stage a sit-in demonstration in the
office. After two days of negotiations, the students received
several assurances from the administration. One of the
commitments was that there would be a place created where their
history, experiences and culture could be celebrated and
honored. President (Father) John Minogue established the
Student and Faculty Multicultural Implementation Committee, a
university-wide group chaired by Dr. Jack Lane (then Director of
the Center for the Study of Values). The Committee released a
report in January 1995 and, in addition to addressing the need
to increase the number of faculty of color and support for the
Centers for Latino and African American Research, this document
suggested that funds should be allocated to support
multicultural programming on campus and should be housed in a
“center [that would be] a place for sharing among and between
groups and a source of education for the university community.”
The
second significant event that led to the creation of the
Cultural Center occurred a few months later. For 10 days in
April 1995, members of the Concerned Black Students (CBS) of
DePaul University staged a second sit-in demonstration; this
time in the headquarters of the student newspaper, The DePaulia
in response to what they identified as “insensitive and
inadequate coverage of minority issues.” These students received
valuable support from other student organizations (UMMA, etc.),
DePaul staff and faculty as well as key figures in the Chicago
community.
In
response, DePaul President John P. Minogue and Vice President of
Student Affairs Jim Doyle worked to secure the resources and
personnel to run the new Center. Esther Muhammed Sharif was
hired in 1995 and the Center was officially opened to the public
on January 22, 1996. The work of the Center enhanced DePaul’s
distinguishing character as a Catholic, urban and Vincentian
educational institution. The Center was designed to give
students a voice to express their unique cultures, issues and
concerns, joys and participate in programming designed to
educate, inform and celebrate their cultures, traditions and
lifestyles.
The idea
of a space that would recognize the inherent dignity of all
individuals, regardless of race, class, religion, sexual
orientation or gender identity, ability, and age in this
community, which was core to the original mission of the Center,
remains true today. The Center continues to provide
opportunities for students to learn outside of the classroom, a
venue for faculty and staff to present their work or interests,
collaborate on projects and issues, research and write and to
volunteer. We also invite and welcome the community-at-large to
participate in many of our programs and projects.
There
have had three additional directors since its opening, Elva
Caballero (1996-1997), Dr. Harvette Grey (1998-2008) and Dr.
Katrina Caldwell (2009).
