Section VII.
Office of Multicultural Affairs
A.     Mission Statement
      The Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA) is to provide students of ethnicity with those academic, social, and personal support services that facilitate their adjustment to the University. OMA provides leadership in the University’s efforts to support minority students (African American, Asian American, Hispanic American and Native American). This office is responsible for informing the University community of the values of multiculturalism. The OMA also serves as a resource (in cooperation with campus departments) to minority students in areas such as, but not limited to, financial assistance, admissions, housing, academics, career development, with particular emphasis given to new FMU students.  The coordinator serves as a Designated School Official with the federal Office of Homeland Security, and provides services for international students as well as maintaining immigration documentation in the SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) database in accordance with federal regulations.
 
B.     Staff
  1. Coordinator of Multicultural Affairs
    Under the supervisor of the Dean of Students, the coordinator is responsible for the  formation and development of programs and activities that will recruit and retain minority students at Francis Marion University. Additionally, thecoordinator is responsible for developing relationships with other offices on campus to  provide services for minority students on-campus.
 
  1. Student Program Assistant(s)
    Under the direction of the Coordinator of Multicultural Affairs, the student program assistants are responsible for the formation and development of a monthly OMA newsletter and/or displays and completes administrative tasks as necessary for the programs and services of the Office of Multicultural Affairs. 
 
C.     Programs & Services
  1. Project C.A.A.R.E. (Cultural Awareness for Academic Retention and Enrichment)
    This program is designed to educate, equip, empower, enrich and differences. Effective leadership is provided in establishing a more inclusive community that creates healthier students and promotes cognitive development. Various programs, workshops, seminars, plays, musicals, etc. are conducted throughout the year to achieve these objectives.  Project CAARE serves as the umbrella under which first-year retention and orientation programs for minority students are conducted.
    1. C.A.A.R.E. Providers     
      These are trained paraprofessionals, who have to apply, are interviewed and selected because of their leadership, academic achievement, and campus involvement. This selected group of students’ experiences training as peer diversity educators and serve as C.A.A.R.E. Providers. They coordinate programs associated with Project C.A.A.R.E. They assist in providing guidance, support, and friendship to incoming and transfer students. They assist in recruitment and retention efforts, attend social functions as Office of Multicultural Affairs and FMU representations, and promote the department’s overall goals. The chair of each academic department recommends C.A.A.R.E. Providers.
    2. Educational Support Team
      Each incoming student is assigned to a C.A.A.R.E. Provider to facilitate the sometimes-difficult transition from high school to college. They are assigned according to major/interest to promote academic, as well as social, support opportunities. Through mentoring, peer support and guidance Providers promoteretention by creating a welcoming and nurturing environment for incoming students.
 
  1. M.A.A.C. (FMU Multicultural Affairs Advisory Council) 
    These are upperclassmen, staff and faculty representatives who serve as an advisory and            support team to the Office of Multicultural Affairs. They evaluate projects, programs and services of the OMA. They make recommendations and suggestions as necessary.
 
  1. MSHCA (Minority Students Health Care Association)
    The primary goals of the MSHCAare to increase the African American retention in health care majors and increase the awareness and sharpen developmental skills for success in health care careers. It will prepare participants for standardized test/exams that are required for college, professional schools and the workplace. It is also designed to familiarize students with resources that will ensure a high success rate in health related fields. Each participant will be monitored for placement in professional schools and or jobs.
 
 
D.     National Pan-Hellenic Council
  1. Purpose
     The purposes of PHC shall be: to create and maintain high standards in the life of fraternities and sororities; to perpetuate constructive fraternity and sorority relationships; to foster an understanding of the structure and method of operation among the affiliate organization; to address, coordinate and develop action strategies on matters of mutual concern to the affiliate organizations; and to serve as the conduit for such action plans as may be developed.
 
  1. Organizations and Affiliates
    NPHC Fraternities
  • Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
  • Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
  • Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
  • Omega Psi Phi, Fraternity, Inc. 
  • Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. (Affiliate Member)
 
            Sororities
  • Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
  • Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
  • Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.
  • Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
 
  1. Guidelines and Sanctions
    The following items MUST be submitted to the Office of Multicultural Affairs at the beginning of the Fall and Spring semester for each organization to be considered active in the FMU Chapter of the NPHC:
 
    1. An official roll of registered FMU students that are members of each organization (include each individual full name, student identification number, classification, addresses (local and permanent), telephone numbers (local, permanent, work, & cell), and email.
    2. A current list of officers and advisors;
    3. A current list of district, regional and national officers;
    4. A schedule of meeting dates and proposed activities for each semester;
    5. $5 per member of the chapter for NPHC dues.
 
  1. Membership Intake requirements
    1. Please refer to the Francis Marion University National Pan-Hellenic Council Membership Policy and Procedures (Appendix A)
 
  1. Sanctions
    1. Please refer to the Francis Marion University National Pan-Hellenic Council Membership Policy and Procedures (Appendix A)
 
E.      Office Procedures
  1. Student Staff Selection
    The Coordinator recruits, selects, trains, and supervises student staff members to assist with implementation of OMA programs. All student staff issues are conducted within the parameters of the divisional guidelines.
 
  1. Student Records
    Records containing personally identifiable information maintained by the Office of Multicultural Affairs are secured in locked filing cabinets when not in use. Computerized records are maintained on the computer assigned to the Coordinator, which is password protected. 
 
F.      Annual Events
  1. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration
    The Office of Multicultural Affairs in conjunction with the Florence Chamber of Commerce will host a celebration program and reception on January 15th of each year to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
 
  1. Black History Month Program
    Each year the Office of Multicultural Affairs will host a program during the first week of February to celebrate the beginning of Black History Month.
 
  1. Welcome Back Program
    During Welcome Week, the Office of Multicultural Affairs will host a reception or dance in conjunction with the FMU Chapter of the NPHC to welcome all students to Francis Marion University.
 
  1. Senior Send Off Reception
    On the last day of classes in the Fall and Spring semester, the Office of Multicultural Affairs will host a reception to honor the minority students that are graduating.
 
 
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