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Multicultural Learning Community

Dedicated to Understanding

The Multicultural Learning Community in Witte Hall is a community dedicated to serving students who have a thirst to understand the problems, issues, benefits, and contributions of human diversity and social justice. From the opening convocation through the end of the year celebrations, the MLC strives to bring people together around these topics. MLC residents have access to all of the amenities of Witte Hall and are encouraged to take advantage of the additional services:

• Enrollment in the MLC Seminar (Multiculturalism in Societal Places and Other Spaces), a small weekly course led by Professor Carl Grant.
• The MLC House Fellow, Diversity Coordinator, and Interns are always around to answer questions, plan events, or discuss topics raised in the seminar.

Learning is a lifelong experience, so MLC residents seek this understanding to constructively shape their actions and behavior in order to be successful and caring students and citizens.

Live Diverse

The Multicultural Learning Community (MLC) has 54 residents living in Witte Hall. The MLC welcomes students from different backgrounds and cultures. MLC residents work towards being able to:

• Examine their own beliefs, ideas, behaviors and involvement in issues
• Discuss the intersections among aspects of identity and systems of oppression
• Identify the dynamics of power relations and the associated material effects
• Examine how life experiences are shaped by factors at the individual, societal, and institutional levels
• Identify and/or formulate plans of action that challenge/resist oppression/oppressive forces

Faculty and staff from across campus provide leadership for the MLC. Dr. Carl Grant, from the Wisconsin School of Education, is the Faculty Director. Professor Grant teaches the exclusive MLC course “Multiculturalism in Societal Places And Other Spaces." All MLC residents are asked to enroll in this 1-credit course, which fulfills general education requirements and provides students with access to faculty and community members on a personal basis. The MLC class is taught in Witte Hall.

What else does MLC do?

• The MLC has fun! With a floor full of interesting people meeting new friends is a breeze.
• Lemon Squeeze is a popular weekly “bittersweet” controversial conversation where students discuss topics of all areas that affect them, their community, the campus and the world at large.
• The MLC holds monthly cultural dinners hosted by students themselves, providing a forum for making connections and learning from others willing to share their experiences and culture.
• Using funds allocated within the MLC to assist students in creating their own ventures, the MLC has sponsored plans for a social events off campus, relaxation and academic events as well as motivational speakers that visit the UW campus. Bring your own ideas and we'll be here to help!
• The MLC extends beyond campus. Students have the opportunity to give back to the community by volunteering at after school and community programs.

The MLC is located in Witte Hall and is committed to the celebration of multiculturalism, creativity, and innovation in society. Meet students with intellectual curiosity and a passion for diverse undertakings. Exchange ideas with people like you and become a part of a campus and city wide network.

You will leave the MLC with great friends, amazing connections, and a world view perception and understanding that will be the envy of your peers.

Activities include:

• Essential, 3 credit cutting-edge course on Multiculturalism held at Witte Hall. This course can be taken in the Fall, when you register for SOAR, or during the Spring Semester.
• MLC residents also have access to reserved courses taught in the residence halls.
• Dinners with prominent faculty and campus leaders
• Fund for MLC special activities – trips, dinners on the town, inspirational speakers and conferences.

Arrival

When you arrive we have some things already planned to help you form as a community and introduce you to campus. There will be tons of Wisconsin Welcome Events held at Witte Hall (BBQs, House, movie nights and more) but with the MLC we also have planned some specific events just for our community of 54.

• Student Convocation and Parent Reception on move in day with MLC Faculty
• MLC Dinners focusing on boosting your networking skills and meeting Faculty and social justice advocates who have turned their ideas into action!
• Volunteer and bonding opportunities in the community

News & Publications

In Spring 2008, the MLC began the creation of the Women in REDzine. Visit the Campus Women's Center to learn more about this online magazine.

Residents also created a video about cultural diversity. You can watch the video by visiting You Tube: MLC Cultural Identity Collage.