While students wait to talk to Ricardo Ariza in the Office of Multicultural Affairs, they can sit on the new comfy couches and chairs or pass time playing games on Nintendo’s Wii.
Since the Office of Multicultural Affairs moved to the Harper Center, many students have come in to play with the Wii.
“I think having the Wii in the office will bring students in the office who otherwise would not have a specific reason to be there,” Laura Dang, Arts & Sciences senior, said. “From what I’ve experienced in the past, getting them in the door is the biggest battle.”
The idea of purchasing a Wii for the office came about when Ricardo Ariza, director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs, realized this gaming system would be a great way to get students to come and enjoy the new office space.
With a new location, Ariza felt having the Wii would serve as a way to welcome students in the office. He decided that with the Wii, any student could stop by to visit and take up a friendly challenge of Wii bowling.
“It is a fun activity that students participate in while they visit the office,” Ariza said. “Sometimes people have to wait for individual appointments with staff and they can pass the time by entertaining themselves on the Wii.”
Though the office seems like a place for only students of color, the Office of Multicultural Affairs staff welcomes anyone at anytime, he said.
Ariza is also open to possible Friday night Wii parties. Students could bring their own games as well as donate games to the office. He sees this as another way for students to get to know each other outside the classroom.
“I like that it [the Wii] makes the office a place for the students to hang out and meet new people,” Dang said. “This year so far, from hanging out in the office, I’ve met at least six new people, both freshmen and upperclassmen.”
The office has been built with cubicles for each of the cultural student organizations on campus, as well as extended office hours with Eric Casares, the graduate assistant, on Wednesdays and Thursdays until 9 p.m.
The office’s technology center provides another way for students to participate through its video documentary series “Lunch and Learn” on immigration.
In addition, it will be starting a new “Visiting Artist Program” where the walls will be reserved for gallery space.
“My hope is that students will utilize the office on a daily basis to socialize, build community, receive academic advising, seek out scholarships, etc.,” Ariza said.
The basement of Reinert Memorial Library and DoIT have also plugged in to the Wii craze, and students are permitted to play any time.