The Multicultural Student Service Center is located on the third floor of the Memorial Union. Photo by Nick Nelson/ The Dakota Student. 

Serving UND since 1976, the Multicultural Student Service Center continues to serve and provide equal support for its students. Ranging from academic, financial aid, personal and social support, it helps to advocate on behalf of students of color, and others here at the university.

The MSS program at UND also helps to work within departments across campus to help advocate for specific needs students may have while promoting diversity throughout campus.

When the office was still on University Avenue, it was named after UND alumna Era Bell Thompson, who helped usher in an era of multicultural acceptance at UND.

Speaking with Autumn Clayton, the Black Student Association’s treasurer, I asked three questions about how much the center means to students.

“Free printing, and computer access, study spaces for homework, free tutoring — which comes in handy — great scholarship resources, student workers who you can relate to and will help you out,” Clayton said, regarding how the MSS has helped her.

MSS serves as a place that motivates and fosters relationships with its students. At the time of the move from University Avenue to the Memorial Union, a statement was made that UND would continue to foster this commitment to diversity. The Black Student Association is just one of the clubs that has rooted within the walls of the center, meeting monthly to discuss its events.

This spring, the ‘Black Experience Culture Night’ was held to educate and inform the community about several different aspects that are important to black culture.

Graduate student Lauren Chapple said,“MSS has been the one place on campus where I, as a black student, don’t have to be ‘on.’ I can go there, share my experiences and not feel defensive, as many students there share my experiences.”

Through experiences like these, all students can grow. As UND continues to diversify, the need for embracing all students and bringing them together for the greater good should be fostered. Both Clayton and Chapple were asked what they would say is the most important aspect of getting plugged into the MSS Center.

“The center helps to encourage unity among all students, whether they are a person of color or not,” Chapple said. “That is why as a freshman, it is important to help connect to different types of communities and that is what MSS provides.”

“As a freshman, it can feel isolating to be in a new place. MSS can help. I would also say that majority-culture students should also check it out. It is a place where I get to learn about new cultures and experiences.”

The Multicultural Student Service teaches students how to embrace new cultures and build a wide range of relationships. Clayton reminds students of just some of the things they might expect by coming up to the 3rd floor of the Memorial Union. She said the most important aspect is knowing you have a community that is real, down to earth and inclusive to respond to your needs and social interests.

You’ll always find students here ready to have a good conversation with, or share a good laugh.

In the end, it is a place where all can come to learn. At the start of a freshman’s adventure it helps provide a place to ease the anxiety and worry of a collegiate workload. The MSS Center is there to remind you that you aren’t alone.

Amina Chinnell-Mateen is a staff writer for The Dakota Student. She can be reached at [email protected]