Minority groups welcome new students

Freshmen were already welcomed to Penn during Convocation, but second welcomings were widely available last night.

Many Penn students were greeted once again yesterday as a number of Penn's student minority organizations invited the incoming class and returning students.

Makuu, Penn's black cultural center, co-hosted a welcome-back reception for undergraduates and graduate students yesterday at Logan Hall that was geared toward new students.

Entitled "We Are Family," the event featured African American faculty and administrators who discussed the wide range of resources available to black students and organizations on Penn's campus, including others like the Penn Women's Center and the Lesbian Bisexual Gay Transgender Center.

Faculty offered encouraging words and advice to students, stressing the importance of seeking help when needed.

Gloria Gay, associate director of the Penn Women's Center, urged students to "take advantage of every one of us in this room."

Gay, who is often referred to as "Momma Gay" by her Penn "family," also informed students that the Women's Center is not only for women. "We are men-friendly as long as the men are women-friendly," she explained.

"Considering that I'm an upperclassman, I was surprised when they mentioned so many resources that I didn't even know about," said College sophomore Camilla Williams. "I'll be sure to stop by some of the centers as soon as I have some free time."

Meanwhile, students and faculty enjoyed diverse foods, conversation and a live band between 6 to 8 p.m. on the Greenfield Intercultural Center's lawn during an open house.

GIC officials explained the ways in which it can aid minority students, such as helping to plan events and workshops.

The Center, located at 3708 Chestnut St., serves as home for several of Penn's educational and cultural programs, such as the United Minorities Council, an interracial alliance for minority students.

The center also provides support to organizations like Alliance & Understanding, a program that fosters understanding between blacks and Jews on campus, and Programs for Awareness and Cultural Education, which aims to advance cross-cultural awareness.

"The GIC is a great place for cultural expression," said College sophomore Brandi Waters, who often attends GIC events. "I don't mean to sound cliche, but everyone feels at home at the GIC."

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