February 11, 2004

New Boise State Cultural Center/Student Organization Complex Opens

A new complex on the second floor of the Boise State University Student Union will celebrate its grand opening from 1-7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 20. The complex will house the university’s Cultural Center as well as Student Organizations offices. All activities are free and open to the public. For more information, call the Cultural Center at 426-5950 or Student Activities at 426-1223. Peg Blake, vice president of Student Affairs, will preside over the ribbon-cutting ceremony at 1 p.m., followed by an open house until 7 p.m. Dancers, singers and musicians will perform in the outer Multicultural Lounge while folk artists will make crafts inside the center, where a sampling of multicultural finger foods will also be available. New administrative assistant Chriselda Garcia will provide support for both centers. She has previously worked on campus with HEP (high school equivalency program), The Pavilion and New Student Information Services. “We are so happy to be here,” said Ro Parker, Cultural Center coordinator. “It’s been a long time in coming and thanks to the hard work of staff and students, it is now a reality. We are in place and ready for business, so please stop by to see us.” Parker said the center’s move from its previous location in the Student Union Annex will allow the Cultural Center to occupy a central position in student life on campus, both literally and figuratively. “The big push will be to bring people into the center,” she said. “We will be infusing culture into this area of campus.” Locating Student Organizations in the same complex as the Cultural Center will also allow for additional networking and collaboration opportunities. “I’m delighted to have the Cultural Center as new neighbors in the complex,” said Mike Esposito, Student Organizations program coordinator. “I look forward to the increased collaboration such proximity will bring.”   -30- Contacts Ro Parker Cultural Center 426-4317   Mike Esposito Student Organizations 426-1590 Media Contact Kathleen Craven communications and marketing 208 426-3275