Student Support Offices
Office of Black Student Affairs
The Office of Black Student Affairs (OBSA) addresses the educational needs of students of African descent. The office, through its cultural programs and academic services, seeks to create a supportive environment for students that will help them attain their undergraduate and graduate degrees. OBSA also hopes to help students develop emotional autonomy, coping skills, feelings of self-worth and independence, a positive ethnic identity, mature relationships with peers, appropriate educational plans, mature career paths and responsible lifestyles.
The Office of Black Student Affairs is committed to diversity, and its programs and services are open to all students of The Claremont Colleges. It sponsors numerous activities, including the New Student Retreat, Black History Month programs, leadership training, cross-cultural programs, speaker’s series, poetry readings and other programs to enhance students’ interpersonal skills.
OBSA is located at 139 E. Seventh Street and can be reached by phone at (909) 607-3669; fax (909) 621-8969.
Asian American Resource Center
The Asian American Resource Center’s (AARC’s) mission is to build a stronger sense of Asian Pacific Islander community, raise awareness of issues affecting Asian American and Pacific Islanders, develop student leadership and act as a resource for the campus community. AARC collaborates with other ethnic groups, academic departments and campus offices on a wide range of social and educational programs such as Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month, leadership development retreats, the Asian Pacific Islander Arts Initiative, Social Justice Lecture Series and faculty lecture series. Working in conjunction with the five-college Intercollegiate Department of Asian American Studies, AARC also houses the multimedia Yuri Kochiyama Asian American Studies Library and Off-Campus Placement Program that provides information on internship and scholarship opportunities.
The Asian American Mentor Program (AAMP) is a student-run peer mentoring program established to meet the specific needs of first-year and transfer Asian American students in adjusting to college life. AAMP provides a solid base of social, academic and emotional support for Asian American students by fostering one-on-one relationships and organizing small-group activities and campus-wide events. The AARC is located at the Smith Campus Center. For information about programs, contact (909) 621-8639.
Chicano/Latino Student Affairs Center
The Chicano/Latino Student Affairs Center (CLSA) is an educational support service that addresses student issues through academic, social and cultural programs. CLSA seeks to build community through a variety of activities and events designed to bring students together from the five colleges. Specifically, the New Student Retreat, Latino Heritage Month, Día de la Familia, monthly lunches, study breaks, movie series, guest lectures and César Chávez Commemoration Program help students to network and form bonds of friendship and support. Moreover, every new student is mentored through the CLSA Sponsor Program. Programs are provided that enrich student cultural identity and promote social awareness. CLSA offers services and activities that celebrate the history, heritage and culture of Chicanos and Latinos.
CLSA is located at 757 College Way, on the second floor of the Robert E. Tranquada Student Services Center. To contact CLSA, please call (909) 621-8044 or visit our Website at www.cuc.claremont.edu/chicano.
Queer Resource Center
Located in Walton Commons, the Queer Resource Center (QRC) of The Claremont Colleges is a seven-college organization providing resources for students, faculty and staff of all sexual orientations and genders. The mission of the QRC is to empower each lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning person to have a positive college experience, grow as a self-aware individual and be a responsible community member. The QRC has a large collection of LGBT-related books which can be checked out as textbooks, research material or just for fun as well as a wide selection of movies that can be checked out for free; the QRC’s student staff plan social, educational and political programs throughout the year in addition to co-sponsoring many events with various other organizations; and the QRC lounge can be used for meetings, doing homework, practicing piano, playing foosball or simply hanging out with friends in a safe space.
Women's Union
The Women’s Union, located in the Upper Lounge in Walker Hall, is a resource center for those interested in exploring gender-related issues. The WU has an extensive library and provides space for meetings and social gatherings. It sponsors weekly discussion groups and cultural field trips. For more information, contact Associate Dean of Students, Marcelle Holmes at 909-621-8017.
International Place of the Claremont Colleges (I-Place)
I-Place is an active international, multicultural center for The Claremont Colleges. Located on the Claremont McKenna College campus, it is dedicated to increasing understanding and friendship across cultures. The center offers a variety of services for international students, scholars and faculty and offers educational programs and cultural events for the entire community. There are over 800 citizens of 86 other countries at all seven Claremont colleges—the world truly comes together in Claremont.