What does OMSA do?

Mission

The Office of Multicultural Student Affairs (OMSA) supports the academic success of students of color at the University of Chicago and works to build an inclusive campus community. OMSA's programs focus on enriching students' experiences and encouraging cross-cultural dialogue on campus. OMSA serves and advocates for all African American, Asian American, Latino, and Native American students who attend the College, Graduate divisions, and Professional Schools.

OMSA executes its mission in collaboration with other departments within the University of Chicago. All students, faculty, staff, and alumni of the University are welcome to partner with OMSA in advancing its efforts to support students of color.

Pillars

• Advocacy | OMSA works with other campus divisions to ensure that each is aware of and responsive to the needs of students of color. The office coordinates a student advisory board to inform the director and university administration of the needs of students of color. If you are interested in being a part of the advisory board, please contact OMSA’s Director, Ana Vázquez. In addition, staff members are part of the Bias Response Team, which actively addresses issues of hate and bias on campus.

• Cultural Awareness & Dialogue | OMSA collaborates with various University of Chicago partners and culturally-oriented student organizations to initiate and nurture dialogue on diversity issues and to shed light on the concerns of students of color. Our programs include a quarterly Men and Women of Color Dialogues and Graduate Student Dialogues. Please visit the OMSA Events Calendar for dates and times of OMSA programs.

Guest Blogger: The OMSA Advisory Board

The OMSA Advisory Board met with a key administrator this past week! Ken Warren, Professor in the Department of English and Deputy Provost for Research and Minority Issues, came to address matters concerning diversity within the faculty, curriculum, and student body on campus.

With respect to faculty, we discussed, among other things, the rising number of African-American faculty at the University. It appears as though the University is “winning more frequently than it is losing” with regards to attaining and retaining faculty of color. At the same time, the University appears to be struggling to attract certain candidates who are not particularly drawn to the campus environment at UChicago. I cannot say that this comes as a surprise, but it appears as though the administration is working hard to draw in a qualified and diverse pool of potential candidates. Furthermore, the board addressed concerns with respect to the time that professors have available to engage with the study body. Both undergraduate and graduate students expressed that their professors are spread too thin while trying to keep up with their personal research efforts, teach the required amount of courses, and meet departmental obligations. Students expressed that a serious effort to recruit more faculty of color would significantly reduce the work load of current faculty, as well as provide more opportunities for meaning faculty-student engagement in the form of longer office hours; faculty contribution to student-organized events; and more substantive faculty advising for student research efforts. There was also discussion regarding post-doctoral positions, and the possibility of hiring future post-docs as potential tenure-track faculty members. We will update you with developments regarding this matter.

OMSA 2009-2010 Departmental Goals

OMSA was worked diligently throughout the summer to develop our goals that will guide us for the 2009-2010 Academic Year. We are excited to share that OMSA will focus on the following goals.

Collaboration
In an effort to build a stronger community and an environment of cross-collaboration among all student communities of color, each of OMSA’s programs will be done in conjunction with another academic department, cultural student organization or other university department

Increased Cultural RSO Support
OMSA aims to strengthen our partnerships with other relevant units such as ORCSA, area Deans of Students , academic departments, and Division of Campus & Student Life departments to better understand the concerns and needs of cultural student organizations and work to address them.

Knowledge/Awareness of OMSA’s Impact
OMSA will work to increase awareness and knowledge of its extensive impact on the university community.

OMSA O-Week Events for Incoming Undegraduate Students of Color

Check out these two amazing events for incoming students of color!

Monday, September 21
NOON – 1:30 PM
OMSA WELCOME FOR 1ST YEAR STUDENTS OF COLOR AND THEIR FAMILIES
5710 South Woodlawn Avenue

New students and their families are invited to join the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs (OMSA) and members of the African American, Asian American, Latino and Native American communities for a welcome reception. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn about OMSA’s resources and various forms of campus support for students of color. This reception will include two sessions that are catered to address the specific need of students and their families.

Friday, September 25
9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS 0F COLOR W0RKSH0P AND BREAKFAST RECEPTION
5710 South Woodlawn Avenue

This workshop sponsored by the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs (OMSA) is designed to help students prepare for life beyond O-Week. Returning students of color will discuss the resources they used to successfully navigate the University, share their personal experiences and help new students in finding their way over the next four years. Immediately following the workshop, OMSA will host a breakfast reception with returning students and staff for those who participate


If you want to participate, please contact me at ryo@uchicago.edu
rosa

The OMSA Research Initiatives Grant [formerly Race Studies Grant] is accepting applications for 2009-2010.

The OMSA Research Initiatives Grant [formerly Race Studies Grant] is accepting applications for 2009-2010.

This Grant is intended to assist undergraduate, graduate, and professional students of color by providing financial support for scholarly projects exploring the multifaceted nature of race, race relations, ethnicity, and/or culture within the University of Chicago, the larger City of Chicago community, and/or Higher Education. If you have considered conducting original research, need helping with preparing for your BA thesis, want support to finish that parts of your dissertation chapter-the Research Initiative Grant is for you!

Grant proposals are be due Friday, October 16, 2009.

For more information, please contact Rosa Yadira Ortiz at ryo@uchicao.edu.

Welcome to the OMSA Blog!

We are excited to introduce the new University of Chicago’s Office of Multicultural Student Affairs blog. The purpose of the blog is to share information with our constituents. The blog will feature a wide variety of information ranging from details about upcoming OMSA events to feature articles about various cultural holidays and celebration. The OMSA professional staff along with student contributors and guest writers will write and post on the blog.