The Ethnic Student Center (ESC) is a student-centered program within the Office of Multicultural Student Services. The ESC provides several resources and a safe environment where students can work on event programming, do homework, or just hang out. The ESC includes many cultural clubs that assist students in transitioning to Western, developing cultural identity, providing a sense of community, and being active in social justice. The ESC also offers study space, computer access, and resource information. It is open to all students.
Mission: The ESC is a community that centers the voices and experiences of historically underrepresented BIPOC students and allies by providing a social atmosphere and inclusive environment. We engage in identity exploration, cultural awareness, and community building by actively learning about and striving to be anti-colonial and anti-racist in our endeavors.
The Office of Multicultural Student Services (MSS) was established in late 2021. The office provides leadership and direction for the Ethnic Student Center, Blue Resource Center, and Black Student Coalition. In the coming years, MSS will also be home to a Latine cultural center and an Asian American & Pacific Islander cultural center.
MSS is part of the Access, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Unit of Enrollment and Student Services. You can learn more on the MSS and ADEI Unit websites.
Mission: The Office of Multicultural Student Services (MSS) creates initiatives and programming to support Western Washington University’s strategic goals in equity, excellence, and inclusion for our students. The MSS strives to create and ensure an inclusive Western Washington University community by centering and amplifying the voice of students with underrepresented and marginalized identities and supporting student success. We do this through collaboration, celebration, advocacy, and the development of learning spaces that focus on the topics of race, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, and ability.
The ESC is in the Multicultural Center (MCC) on the top floor of Western’s Viking Union. ESC clubs meet in the MCC and other spaces around campus. Clubs share info about meeting times and locations on their social media platforms. The ESC website lists active clubs, with links to their social media.
Anyone can use the ESC! We prioritize ESC clubs for space reservations. The ESC is a program that centers BIPOC students. At a predominantly white institution like Western, it can be difficult to find spaces that reflect and embrace cultural diversity and allow students to truly be themselves. The ESC is a space that affirms students’ identities, builds community between students, and supports collaboration and intercultural learning.
To become a part of the ESC, a club must first register as an Associated Students club, meeting the requirements of the Associated Students Club Activities Office (Club Hub). During the registration process, the club must designate itself as a cultural club or indicate the aim of being an ESC club. The process to become an AS club is on the WIN website. Staff in the Club Hub can help.
If the interested group marks themselves as a cultural or ESC club when registering with the Club Hub, the ESC Club Advisor & Program Manager reviews the club’s documents, meets with Club Hub professional staff and the proposed club board members, and explains the expectations of the Ethnic Student Center. The Club Advisor & Program Manager will also meet with students interested in starting a club or those who have questions about club activities and will work with the AS Club Hub as needed. If the club is willing to meet ESC expectations and work to actively uphold the ESC mission statement, the club is welcomed into the community.
When students are creating a new club and want that club to be part of the ESC, we highly recommend that the club founders meet with the ESC Club Advisor & Program Manager during the initial stages of planning the club. This will help club organizers understand the ESC’s mission and expectations so that they are aware of these from the beginning. ESC club expectations include club representative attendance at weekly budget meetings and weekly collaborative meetings. We work to build spaces where communities can engage with one another and build connections that allow for intersectionality and educational opportunities. As ESC clubs and the Office of Multicultural Student Services host events, we encourage students to attend this programming and to engage with one another in supportive and welcoming ways.
For clubs already registered with the AS, the process is shorter. Board members meet with the ESC Club Advisor & Program Manager and review expectations, edit club documents, and categorize themselves (if they aren't already) as cultural/ESC clubs in the WIN system.
The Ethnic Student Center Club Advisor & Program Manager is a professional staff member dedicated to working with student clubs to guide them through the process of fundraising, budget management, and programming. The ESC also has student staff (for example the ESC Club Logistics Coordinator) who work with clubs to manage and address club questions. ESC staff work closely with AS Club Hub and VU Finance office to coordinate care for the clubs to ensure events and programming can happen in accordance with university policies.
In addition to staff with resources and answers, there are multiple guides for students on club boards to utilize and follow. These guides walk student leaders through things like how to access and complete forms and requirements for different kinds of events. Some of these guides apply to all AS clubs and are available on the AS Clubs training path in WIN. Other guides are specific to ESC clubs and are available through the ESC Clubs Teams channel.
Multicultural Center spaces (VU 7th floor or VU MCC) can be reserved on Mazevo through ESC professional staff, ESC student staff, or any other staff member who works in the Multicultural Center.
Some other spaces around campus are also available to reserve through Mazevo. Some of these spaces have additional charges and restrictions regarding when space can be used and for what purposes. Club leaders should discuss reservation needs with a staff member or advisor to ensure space availability. Visit the Events page for more information about space reservations, policies, and charges.
Yes! Keep an eye out on the ESC Instagram and check the student employment website for open positions. The ESC hires student office assistants and coordinators that work Fall through Spring to keep the ESC space running and provide resources, programming, and collaboration to the MCC and ADEI Unit staff. Other programs and departments in the ADEI Unit, including the Disability Outreach Center, LGBTQ+ Western, Blue Resource Center, and Black Student Coalition, also hire student staff.
