The Quinnipiac University Multicultural Student Leadership Council held its annual Culture Fair on the Quad on Oct. 5, where many culture-based organizations set up tables filled with free candy, flags and information on how to get involved.
The event allowed students to walk around and connect with peers who have similar backgrounds to them. Attendees left their information so they can learn about future meetings and events based on the organization of their choice. There were also two food trucks where students could get free Mediterranean food from Taste of Grill or ice cream from Blue Chip Creamery.
Genesis Paulino, a senior sociology and Latin American studies double major and MSLC president, said the Culture Fair is a way to wrap up culture week and allow the multicultural organizations to showcase themselves aside from the engagement fair. MSLC held events every day during culture week, such as a bingo night, paint night, karaoke night and cooking and self-care based events.
“Multicultural orgs are very overlooked … we work really hard to have attendance in our events and to have a spotlight and a lot of times we don’t have that spotlight,” Paulino said. “This being a predominately white institution, it can be really hard to find a place where you feel seen or where you have a community that feels safe.”
Each table had banners draped across the front to showcase the organization and many executive board members made poster boards with some basic facts and photos of the members.
The Black Student Union emphasizes support and representation of students of color on campus, said Hallye Boughner, a junior nursing major and BSU vice president.
“We want (them) to know more about us as an organization and what we have to offer and know us as people too,” Boughner said.
Another organization, the Juvenile Urban Multicultural Program, works to decrease the high school dropout rate and increase the college admittance rate, said Todd Bivens, a junior human resource management major and the J.U.M.P. Nation secretary.
“We go around to schools and we talk to young children and basically show them that there’s more to life after high school,” Bivens said. “(We) encourage them to join any of their nearby colleges, whether it be community college or universities.”
The event was filled with first-year students who wanted to join the different organizations and take part in future events. There were also many upperclassmen who decided to get involved in their final few months of college.
Gianna Giffone, a junior biomedical sciences major and Italian Cultural Society president, said ICS is open to everyone who wants to celebrate Italian culture.
“A lot of people that come here are like, ‘Oh my grandmother is so Italian and I’m just so far away from it and I want to know more,’ and that’s what we’re here for is to teach them about it, teach them the culture and the language,” Giffone said.
Giffone said she helped people learn the Italian language at the Culture Fair. She had people repeat a word, learn what it means and then she would give them a sticker.
Colin Fanning, a first-year applied business major in the 3+1 Master of Business Administration program said he wanted to see the ICS table at the fair because he is Italian.
“I am a big advocate for expanding the different culture identity groups that are here on campus,” Fanning said. “I thought it would be a wonderful way to spread the message and show my support here, just as a member of the community.”
The Asian Student Alliance’s goal is to create a safe space for Asian students. Members also want to educate people about Asian history and culture, said Naomi Gorero, a senior sociology major and ASA president.
“I think it gives people an opportunity to show that Quinnipiac is very diverse and there’s a lot of cultures in Quinnipiac,” Gorero said. “It’s a very multifaceted university.”
Most of the multicultural organizations encouraged students to sign up on Do You QU and follow them on social media to get involved and learn more about future events.
Emily DeFreitas, a sophomore graphic design major, said she wanted to see the ASA table at the Culture Fair because she went to a lot of their events the past year.
“I love getting to learn about all the different cultures and it’s great seeing them be represented in the clubs on campus,” DeFreitas said. “I love attending the events to learn more and just experience it for myself.”
