UPDATED: Sept. 6, 2018 at 4:00 p.m.

Syracuse University’s Cultural Centers will host their annual Welcome Fair on Thursday. The fair will be in Panasci Lounge from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Schine Student Center and will feature more than 60 student and academic organizations.

The event is being hosted by the Disability Cultural Center, the LGBT Resource Center, the Office of Multicultural Affairs, the SUNY-ESF Student Diversity and Inclusion Office, La Casita Cultural Center, SU’s Office of Engagement Programs and the Slutzker Center for International Services. 

Kate Pollack, the Disability Cultural Center Coordinator, said the fair is a great way for students, faculty and staff to learn about the many cultural organizations offered on campus.

“It’s a way for everybody to get together,” Pollack said, adding that the fair is a place for people to find groups and organizations that reflect their identity.

The four official cultural centers on campus include the Slutzker Center for International Services, the LGBT Resource Center, the Disability Cultural Center and the Office of Multicultural Affairs. Each of those offices spent a considerable amount of time preparing for the event to make sure everything will run smoothly, Pollack said.

Among the diverse group of organizations attending and different activities to do, there will also be food including gluten free, vegan and vegetarian options. American Sign Language interpretation will available, as well as a sensory break room.

Associate Director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs, Huey Hsiao, said all of the accommodations align with the office’s mission.

“It’s important, especially for the first-year students to see what’s available to do on campus and to get involved and become included in the campus community,” Hsiao said.

The updated format of the event from last year has increased attendance, Hsiao said. He expects a good turnout this year — last year, about 400 people attended.

“We want people to meet new people, find at least one organization or one office on campus that they can get involved with. Try to step a little bit outside of their comfort zone,” Hsiao said.

Said khristian kemp-delisser, Director of the LGBT Resource Center: “Our hope is to encourage a university environment that understands the intersectional identities of those we serve.”

CORRECTION: In a previous version of this post, the number of years the Cultural Centers Welcome Fair has happened was misstated. The event has happened annually for six years, and was changed from a reception to a fair last year. The Daily Orange regrets this error. 

CORRECTION: The number of cultural centers hosting the fair was misstated. The event is hosted by multiple cultural centers on Syracuse University’s campus. The Daily Orange regrets this error. 

CORRECTION: Kate Pollack’s position was misstated. Pollack is the Disability Cultural Center Coordinator. The Daily Orange regrets this error. 

Published on August 28, 2018 at 8:29 pm

Contact Sarah: srslavin@syr.edu