Life At Duke: Activities & Organizations: Cultural & Ethnic OrganizationsDuke students are proud of their many distinct heritages, and they work actively to promote unity and cross-cultural relationships on campus. Spectrum is a two-part organization—a council of cultural group presidents and a multicultural club. Spectrum builds relationships and promotes dialogue between cultural groups and faculty/administrators to place more emphasis on multiculturalism in the curriculum while also sponsoring several social and academic events for students interested in multicultural life and diversity issues. Prism House, a multicultural dorm, is a place where students of different cultures and ideologies can live together to learn more about each other. By forming friendships with people from different backgrounds, the students learn to understand and appreciate distinct cultures. Langdorm (or Languages Theme House) is a selective residence that currently features concentrations in six foreign languages: Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, and Spanish. Each concentration, or "hall," has a departmental advisor and participates in language- and culture-augmenting activities such as speaking tables, cultural events, community outreach, and guest lecturers. At last count, about one-fifth of the members are international students, and more than 20 languages/dialects can be heard. ASA (Asian Students Association) is a cultural, political, and social organization established to promote a spirit of unity among the various Asian cultures. The organization sponsors a variety of activities, including the Lunar New Year Festival and Dance, Asian-American Heritage Month in March, a mixer with Asian student groups at other local universities, and performances by the Pan Asian Repertory Theater and the Taiwanese Youth Performers. BSA (Black Student Alliance) organizes and represents Duke's African-American students while at the same time educating the entire Duke community about African-American culture and heritage. BSA activities include a Kwanzaa ceremony, a Halloween party for area children, sponsorship of major speakers, and the BSA Invitational Weekend for prospective students (in conjunction with the Admissions Office). Diya - The South Asian Association of Duke celebrates South Asian culture and provides a forum for interaction through political, cultural, community service, and social events relating to South Asian Americans. The group sponsors Awaaz, the fall cultural show and largest student-run event on campus, as well as various campus speakers, a South Asian film series, social outings, and participation in intramural sports. Freeman Center for Jewish Life (FCJL) serves as the foundation of the campus Jewish community. FCJL serves as a campus Reform and Conservative synagogue, a Kosher kitchen, and an Israel information and political awareness desk for events such as Holocaust remembrances, relations to other communities, and community service projects. FCJL sponsors films and lectures, an interfaith Seder, and activities in observance of Passover, Purim, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Chanukah. Mi Gente (La Asociacíon de Estudiantes Latinos) serves as a social, cultural, and political resource to Latino students at Duke. Mi Gente includes many non-Hispanic members as well and is active in promoting Latino awareness through social, political, and community service activities. In addition, Mi Gente helps sponsor a charity ball, Noche Dorada, and Latino Heritage Month, as well as tutoring Hispanic families in English. Muslim Student Association (MSA) is an ethnically diverse organization comprised of Muslim undergraduates, graduate and professional students, faculty members, and people in the Durham community. MSA works to promote brotherhood and sisterhood among its members, educate the broader campus about Islam, and support members in the fulfillment of their day-to-day responsibilities as practicing Muslims. This includes the five daily prayers and the fasting of Ramadan, as well as maintaining a high moral consciousness in all interactions. Native American Student Coalition (NASC) is a relatively new organization on campus. NASC works with Native American student organizations from other colleges and recently held a forum to raise awareness of issues facing native peoples. Topics included the status of Native American women, past and present, how a native culture survives in modern society, and the problems related to education, violence, and mortality facing Native American youth. SHARE began as Duke's first experiment with coed housing arrangements on East Campus in 1970. Throughout its dynamic evolution, SHARE has remained somewhat experimental. Now located on West Campus, SHARE provides residential space devoted to celebrating diversity, respecting individuality, and creating a community where the two flourish. SOCA (Students of the Caribbean) is a cultural, social, and political organization for students of Caribbean descent. Activities include social gatherings, co-sponsorship of the charity ball, fundraisers for political causes in the Caribbean, and an annual carnival that features Caribbean cooking, music, and dance. Other ClubsTo learn more about any of the organizations listed below, search the Duke Web site to locate the club's individual site.
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Defining Movement Dance Troupe, or defMo, is a unique organization
that is united by the members’ common passion for dance, for
people and for culture. Dedicated to exploring dance and movement “culturally,
socially and visually,” defMo’s programs include originally
choreographed dances and explore a variety of styles, from jazz to
theatrical dance to hip-hop. | |
