The Cultural Diversity Board at Colorado Mesa University brings together six student alliances: the Black Student Alliance, Gay-Straight Alliance, Ho’olokahi Polynesian Club Alliance, International Student Alliance, Latino Student Alliance and Native American Student Alliance. The alliances welcome students of all backgrounds to join their ranks or participate in the numerous events they hold on campus. The CDB also teams up with other campus organizations to put on events that will engage students in the campus community.
Chantel Pine, the coordinator of the Native American Student Alliance, emphasizes the CDB’s all-inclusive atmosphere and how it helped her build her own community at CMU.
“Having people in the CDB board and my coworkers be so open to hearing what I have to say or how I feel about things is amazing,” Pine said. “Being in an alliance benefits you in the end […] all of our alliances do such a great job connecting with students. It’s a great way for students to voice their opinions.”
The primary purpose of the alliance is to represent students of all backgrounds and make their voices heard.
“Our main goal is to promote respect and bring awareness of cultural diversity to campus,” Pine said.
Ashli Alderman coordinates the Gay-Straight Alliance and highlights another purpose of the alliances: to unite communities and educate students.
“We’re the liaisons between the queer community and the campus,” Alderman said.
She hopes the GSA helps students who may be struggling with identity or queer-specific issues know they are not alone.
“We can all come together for the greater good of this community,” Alderman said.
Many student alliances have had a presence on campus for over a decade and their organizations only continue to grow as the CMU population rises.
“So many more people are coming in and asking us questions,” Alderman said.
All student alliances meet regularly, and prospective members can find additional information on OrgSync. The CDB office is located in Student Life on the second floor of the University Center. Students can also reach coordinators of alliances by phone or email, which are all listed on the Colorado Mesa University Cultural Diversity Board website.
“You could just put a sticky note on our desk,” Alderman said, encouraging students to reach out in whatever way they feel comfortable. All students are welcome to join an alliance regardless of background.
One of the Cultural Diversity Board’s biggest events, MAVclusion, will take place the week of Sept. 25. Each alliance will host their own event or add their own element to collaborative efforts with the Associated Student Government and Programming Activities Council.
Every student alliance will distribute their own food at the Taste of Culture barbeque on Monday. The Latino Student Alliance will host Taco Tuesday. The Ho’olokahi Polynesian Club Alliance puts on a water day on Wednesday, and each alliance will craft a basket that students can win at Grocery Bingo, hosted by the International Student Alliance, on Thursday.
The Native American Student Alliance hosts Fry Bread Friday, and karaoke by the Black Student Alliance will take place later that night. The MAVclusion week concludes on Saturday with a drag show hosted by the Gay-Straight Alliance.
The Cultural Diversity Board encourages students to attend these events and make connections with the alliances.
“It’s really easy to become a member,” Pine said.
Joining an alliance can help students build connections and be part of a community that brings awareness to new perspectives at CMU.
