The first weeks back ushered in more than just a new freshman class. The campus was introduced to The Big Four: a combination of familiar multicultural organizations that have revamped and unified themselves, so their presences individually can be stronger.
The Black Student Association, Spectrum, the Latino Student Union and the Asian American Student Association have collaborated to promote themselves as a unit for the minority groups with four cultures dwelling inside.
The four groups have already shown their unity by dividing the events of Welcome Week, which was usually hosted only by BSA. Each group had its own day to welcome the freshman.
Taylor Simpson, president of BSA, sees only positive outcomes from this experience.
"The minority community as a whole is going to take steps forward this year," he said.
Simpson sees this collaboration as a learning experience for the four groups.
Graciela Román, president of LSU, agrees.
"This year we are trying to branch out to the other multicultural organizations and try to teach everyone in the multicultural organizations how diverse we are, but also how we are really similar, how we all work towards the same goal," she said. "We are really a lot more alike than we are different."
The Big Four educates on the culture of its defined groups from music, food, clothing, language and especially culturally controversial issues. Simpson calls these topics "dynamite subjects" — topics that some people do not like to talk about because they usually blow up in your face.
Alaine Whitmire, president of AASA, embraces these conversations.
"I have seen in the past that we stick to the same thing and play it safe, but I mean we are on a college campus. We are here to learn and talk about things," she said. "Sometimes you have to, you know, cross the line if you really want people to think."
The groups also push visitors and those not of the culture to think past the stereotypes. Román said LSU breaks many of the stereotypes associated with their culture.
"One of the stereotypes with any Latin American today is that they are probably Mexican and probably an illegal immigrant, when in reality that's not the case," Román said. "There's a variety of different Latino, and they are all represented in the US today. There is a lot of diversity in our culture."
Spectrum, the campus' LGBTQ support group struggles with the same issue.
"You don't have to be gay to support gay rights," Taylor Pallatin, president of Spectrum, said. "Our big motto is ‘just because you're here doesn't mean you're queer.'"
Recently there was an increase of straight ally members in Spectrum, she said.
"For the group to be dynamic and change with the times, you have to accommodate what's happening in society," Pallatin said. "And what's happening is that more and more straight individuals are becoming more supportive and strong advocates [of] LGBT[Q] rights and equality. Adding those two dynamics widens our net of interest."
In addition to collaborating with the other groups, BSA will be undergoing a few internal changes this year, Simpson said. There are new committee positions added to the organization as well as a new mentoring program for freshmen that will allow them to have an upperclassman for guidance. Their mission statement is also undergoing an adjustment.
"The organization needs to go in a new direction," Simpson said. "It's too past-oriented. It didn't say anything about community service, professional development, intensifying the black voice on campus, unifying the black community or even the minority community."
Spectrum and AASA both plan to hold more events. Pallatin said that instead of their usual six events, Spectrum will have eight. AASA will be cosponsoring Laura Ling as a speaker this semester as well as a fashion show later on in the year.
"I'm just most excited for getting AASA more out there," Whitmire said. "I think people don't come to the events because we need to have more events. Maybe we need to improve on promotion. I'm hoping as a whole we will have more success and attendance."
As seniors, all of the presidents want the best for their organizations and the future leaders who will follow.
"It doesn't need to be big, but I want the students in it to be dedicated," Román said about LSU.
The experience of being in a multicultural group is what matters most to the groups. Simpson said being involved in BSA gave him confidence. For Whitmire, AASA provided a welcoming family.
For Román, her involvement with LSU changed her view of college life.
"It was really the first time I felt enthusiastic about being at Ball State," she said. "The organizations made me fall in love with the school. It really got me comfortable with the campus."
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