University Showcases Diversity through events hosted by Student Organizations and Departments During Family Weekend

During Family Weekend, University organizations and departments showcased many identities within the University through events and activities on campus. 

Some of the cultural events that were part of Family Weekend include Barrio Fiesta hosted by Barkada, a dinner hosted by the Jewish Student Union, Love Jones hosted by Igwebuike, and the Night Market hosted by the Asian Pacific Islander Student Union. 

Along with events by student organizations, University Departments such as Campus Ministry and the Office of Multicultural Learning/Rainbow Resource Center also organized events.

One of the major events hosted by Campus Ministry is Family Mass, held in the Mission church. The Mass involves student volunteers who played roles in the choir, liturgy, and eucharist.

“Coming together around the Eucharist in the church is a concrete and central sign of being a Catholic and Jesuit university,” said the Director of Campus Ministry Father John McGarry. Fr. McGarry adds that the Family Mass is a celebration for bringing families together and that Campus Ministry hopes to “Bring together people from a variety of different traditions to be in this environment of a university.” 

Family Weekend is an annual event by the University that is held every Winter Quarter. The primary goal of Family Weekend is to bring families together with their students at the University and to allow them to connect. 

The University also enabled families to explore various activities and events during Family Weekend. Some activities that were part of Family Weekend included events, sessions, open houses, and mock lectures. 

Over 2000 people registered to attend Family Weekend, according to the Director of the Center of Student Involvement Lori Salazar. Those who registered included parents, guests, and students of the University. “It’s been so great just to see how much more engagement has increased for parents and families and students,” said Salazar. 

Having a diversity of events allowed people the opportunity to “learn different cultures and be in that environment,” according to Salazar. There is also importance in “Opening that invitation to parents and families to attend and being able to be part of that cultural celebration.”

“It is extremely important for us as being rooted in the Jesuit values and being a place of compassion, being a place of competence and conscience to make sure that we support the people that are here,” said the Director of the Office of Multicultural Learning and the Rainbow Resource Center Chris Harris, “It’s important for us to help families see that their children and their students can be loved and cared for at Santa Clara.”