The UNITI Cultural Center (UCC) held its grand opening celebration on September 7, inviting faculty, staff and students to experience Stony Brook’s newest community space.
Featuring a soothing ambience of vibrant colors and comfortable furniture, the inviting 3,500 square-foot facility — located in Stony Brook Union 113 — features a multipurpose lounge, spacious conference room, meeting room, group study area and various designated seating spaces. It is available for all members of the Stony Brook community to relax, meet up with friends, study, engage in a wide range of discussions and enjoy a variety of cultural programs.
The UCC offers students in-person and virtual cultural programs and opportunities to engage with their peers, faculty and staff on a variety of contemporary issues, including the intersectionality of race/ethnicity, gender, religion/spirituality, different abilities, socioeconomic status, and other dimensions of social identities. In this new location, the UNITI Cultural Center continues to reflect Stony Brook’s rich history of the African-American and Latino experience while building upon the university’s commitment to inclusion, equity, anti-racism and social justice.
The UCC was established in 1978 and is based upon its central mission, which is reflected by the acronym UNITI, for “United Nationalities in Transcending Ideologies.” As a cultural center, the UCC promotes diversity and inclusion, yet continues to acknowledge its rich historical roots in the culture of the African Diaspora and Latino experiences. Since its inception, the UCC has been advised by the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, the Department of Africana Studies, EOP/AIM Office and the Office of the Dean of Students. Since 2002, it has been coordinated by the Office of Multicultural Affairs.
The day-long grand opening event featured an open house, faculty and staff coffee hour and a party on the Stony Brook Union patio.
Photos from the grand opening:
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