Several student organizations are based out of the L.A. Pittenger Student Center, including the Big 4 multicultural organizations that welcome new members throughout the year.
Spectrum
Spectrum is a group that encourages the LGBTQ+ community and allies to come together for educational programming and events. The group’s motto is, “You don’t have to be queer to be here.”
“We repeat [the motto] at the beginning of every single meeting because it’s really important to us to let [members] know that it is a confidentiality group and we have expectations of our members to not be in public and call someone out like ‘Hey, you were at the gay group,’” Spectrum president Brooklyn Arizmendi said. “Because we’re not the ‘gay group,’ we are Spectrum. We’re for allies as well, and we don’t make assumptions about you when you walk into our room.”
Arizmendi said she and the rest of the executive board try to make sure members get something out of the group and build community.
“It’s just a really valuable thing to me to have these people around me that I can connect with — some that are allies and some of them that are queer like I am,” Arizmendi said. “I have gained a lot of understanding about myself and other identities. I’ve become less ignorant to a lot of subjects which I really, really appreciate and that’s what I strive to do on the daily.”
Spectrum meets at 8 p.m. every Thursday in SC 310. The group has a family dinner at 6:30 before every meeting in the Student Center Tally. Executive board members also have office hours every week for members to visit and ask questions.
AASA
The Asian-American Student Association provides cultural and educational programming about Asian and Asian-American culture. The group’s goal is to expand members’ knowledge, and members or attendees do not have to be of Asian descent.
“People should join AASA to learn more about Asian culture because it provides members experiences within that community and build bonds with other members,” AASA president Huy Huynh said.
AASA meets at 6:30 p.m. every Monday in SC 301. Events this semester include learning how to make dumplings and a discussion on mental health regarding Asian-Americans.
LSU
The Latinx Student Union promotes unity amongst the Latinx community of Ball State and hosts educational and social events for everyone on campus and people in the Muncie community.
LSU president Ashley Caceres has been a member of LSU for three years and has gotten more than friendship out of being involved.
“I have learned how to accept all parts of my culture, as well as learned how to be an activist for the Latinx community,” Caceres said. “People should join LSU if they are interested in learning or celebrating the Latinx culture. Whether you are Latinx or not, there is always a community here to listen to your voice.”
LSU meetings are at 5 p.m. every other Wednesday in the Student Center Multipurpose Room, located next to Cardinal Lanes.
BSA
The Black Student Association, formerly known as the Black Student Union, is an organization that works to unify students through events and discussions from a unique African-American perspective.
BSA has been at Ball State since 1969. The organization is open to anyone.
“We just ask that everyone comes with an open mind and show respect to those with different opinions,” president Da’Prielle Fuller said.
BSA hosts several event throughout the year, such as the Unity Scholarship pageant and Cultural Dinner.
“People should join BSA because we work to make sure our students feel at home when they are at events and meetings. We listen to our members and advocate for things that they want on campus,” Fuller said. “We try to give a voice to black students on campus so that they know their voice never goes unheard.”
BSA meetings are at 5 p.m. every other Tuesday in Teachers College Room 121.
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