What are Cultural Lounges?
A Place to Learn About Diversity and Social Justice
Cultural Lounges were created in Penn State's residence halls in 1988 as a part of the university's response to student concerns and improving the climate for diversity on campus. The lounges are decorated with cultural art, and several have diversity-related books and magazines available, so students can learn about various diversity issues.
Each area Residence Life Office receives a budget for educational programs around diversity and social justice. A designated member of the area staff, usually a Residence Life Coordinator, sits on the campus-wide Cultural Lounge Committee, and assists in the planning and execution of area and campus-wide diversity programs. If you have an idea for a diversity program, or you would like to assist with your area's cultural lounge programming, contact your area Residence Life Office, or email culturallounge@psu.edu.
Area Residence Life Offices:
Pollock: 865-6503, 123 Pollock Commons
North: 865-2890: 105 Warnock Commons
South: 865-8322; 202 Redifer Commons
East: 865-5375; 134 Johnston Commons
West: 865-5951; 117 Waring Commons
Campus-Wide Programs
- Cultural Lounge Movie Series: An ongoing series of popular motion pictures with diversity themes. Movies are shown in the HUB Auditorium at various times of the year.
- "Stoop" Spoken Word Lounge: In partnership with the Paul Robeson Cultural Center, this unique open mic night recreates an urban brownstone stoop, where audience members come and listen to student and guest poets, and well as spoken word artists.
- World Cultural Festival: A multicultural welcome to Penn State at the beginning of the school year, this program features food, cultural art, music, artifacts and information from many of the cultural groups represented at Penn State University. The festival is held on the HUB lawn shortly after the academic year begins. The inaugural festival in Fall 2005 had over 3,000 persons in attendance. Residence Life is one several sponsors for this event, in conjunction with the Paul Robeson Cultural Center.
Examples of Area Programs
- STRAIGHT TALKS with representatives of the LGBTA Student Resource Center.
- Discussions about spirituality on campus with members of different faith groups.
- Performances by independent singer-songwriters, coupled with discussions about their lives as practicing performers, and themes in their music.
- Java and Justice Series focused on various social justice topics such as human trafficking.
- Cultural Arts and Craft Nights such as "Make our own Dream-Catcher" and Interactive Painting programs allowing students to paint their ideas about diversity on a group-produced painting.
- Food Festivals