Students connected with numerous cultures at Ferris’ Office of Multicultural Student Services’ (OMSS) annual Get Acquainted Day.
Dozens of registered student organizations (RSOs) and Greek organizations filled the north campus quad Wednesday, Sept. 12 to talk to students about their organizations and to recruit those students to join them. The majority of those RSOs and Greek organizations represented minorities on campus.
Ferris business data analytics senior and Hispanic Student Organization (HSO) Vice President Sayra Moore said the annual event gives minority students a voice on campus.
“I think that a lot of minority students feel like that at college that they’re not heard or get the chance to participate much, and with these kinds of events it’s very minority-based,” Moore said. “OMSS is for multicultural students and organizations, and it’s important because we can show that we’re here. With HSO, a lot of people don’t know we have our student organization and these kinds of events let people know that we’re here and that we’re welcoming to all students.”
Many organizations used the event as a way to highlight their organizations and recruit new students.
“We have an informational table, students can come over and get a summary of the organization and see if they’re interested or want to get involved,” Ferris political science senior and National Organization for Women President Indra Phillips said. “It gets freshmen involved on campus, and also for returning students to see what organizations they want to get involved with before they graduate.”
OMSS Assistant Director Michael Wade said the event is important for students to have an event where they can connect with students from different backgrounds.
“This program is always important. It’s been going on for 30-plus years as a chance to be welcomed,” Wade said. “You want to have some great events where students can get connected with each other but also with students from outside their own backgrounds.”
Many of the organizations were eager to let students know that although they may be aimed at minorities, anyone is welcome to come join the organization. The same is true for OMSS, which is available for all students.
“Too many people don’t walk in there because they feel like they’re not welcome, but you are more than welcome in the OMSS office. They help all types of people. If you need anything you can always stop by in there,” Ferris accounting junior Jermain Whitaker Jr. said. “At first I was a little scared to come in the office but when I first came in, they treated me like I was one of theirs.”