Last Friday, Christopher Newport University celebrated the grand opening of the Multicultural Student Lounge. The grand opening packed the lounge full of alumni, current students, and administrators, so much so that attendees spilled out the door. The excitement around the Multicultural space’s grand opening was only matched by the satisfaction of the alumni, who played a crucial role in financing the space.
CNU President William Kelly made the opening remarks, thanking all those who could attend such a momentous occasion.
He spoke about how the new space advances the same core goals of his administration – making CNU “a safe, inclusive and respectful campus where free speech is prized and diversity is celebrated.”
He went on to describe how words without action are worthless, requiring the CNU community to take steps to embrace this mission. He shared hopes that the multicultural space, though in the works before he took office, can be one of those meaningful steps.
The Student Diversity & Equality Council (SDEC), specifically Louise Byrne, originally proposed the idea, which was then taken up by the Office of Orientation and Student Involvement (OSI). Byrne was asked to give a speech in which she described the process of her proposal, such as assessing student interest in such a space as well as additional research into what would complete the space.
“The overall vision is that this will function as a space for students to feel truly represented and safe. This space… is meant to foster community and inclusion for every single captain,” said Byrne.
Kayla Caine, one of the co-chairs for the Class of 2023 Class Gift campaign, also spoke at the grand opening.
“The class of 2023 worked hard last year to provide meaningful gifts as part of our senior class gift campaign,” said Caine.
She shared her pride and gratitude for all that the space has become, and what it will continue to provide Captains for years to come.
In addition, Kelly marked the occasion by bestowing his signature Challenge Coin on Byrne and Caine – a rare honor. They also unveiled the official plaque for the new space.
The Captain’s Log had the opportunity to speak with SDEC President Jasmine Batth at the ceremony.
“I was not anticipating this to be big at all and I’m genuinely overwhelmed by the amount of support everybody has given to it and how happy everyone seems to be that it’s here. It’s remarkable,” said Batth.
The new space will be open to students as a lounge for resting, studying or relaxing with friends. It will be open during OSI’s open hours.
Batth also expressed her hope that the space continues to serve its purpose, beyond her tenure as SDEC president and long into the future.
“I hope that it fosters inclusion and some level of equity on campus,” she said. “ I hope that the organizations that talked to us about not feeling included or heard feel as though that’s the space for them.”
