By ASHLEY A. HIBDON
Although the name of Multicultural Student Services connotes assistance for only certain students, the office does more than help minorities.
When the office was first created it was named the Native American Indian Department and catered to the needs of those students. As the needs of different ethnicities increased, the office expanded to provide service to the majority of ethnic students.
Eventually the name was changed to Multicultural Office, then Ethnic Student Services before being changed to Multicultural Student Services approximately a year ago. Now the office is available to help all students.
'We want everyone to feel they can come and use our office,' said Vernon Heperi, director of Multicultural Student Services. 'Our office is a cross-cultural model, and we want all people crossing through it.'
Because of the name, many students don't realize that the office can help them, Heperi said.
The office provides academic counseling and support for all students regardless of ethnic background. This includes aid in selecting classes or transfers. The office also offers help with time management, moral support and academic holds.
All students at BYU can receive academic help at Multicultural Student Services. However, only students who meet certain requirements can apply for financial aid through the office.
Students who are permanent residents or U.S. citizens and of specific ethnic origin qualify for financial aid through Multicultural Student Services. Ethnicities the office provides financial aid for are Hispanic, African American, American Indian, Polynesian and Southeast Asian refugee.
'The only reason we have money or an office is to provide opportunity that the backgrounds of these students can't provide,' Heperi said.
Many students who receive financial aid from Multicultural Student Services are the first generation in their families to attend college. The success rate for first generation students is high, but second generation students have a higher success rate because at least one of their parents already attended college, Heperi said.
'The success rate for these students is higher because the importance of education was emphasized in the home,' Heperi said.
In addition to providing academic advisement and support, Multicultural Student Services provides the opportunity for students to get involved in other activities through the office.
Multicultural Student Services provides the opportunity for all students to get involved, said Ammon Campbell, student supervisor for Multicultural Student Services. 'Just come down and try it.'
There are three clubs that operate out of Multicultural Student Services, and students can get involved with them even if they aren't of a minority ethnic background, Campbell said.
'Students can be organizers, volunteers and administrative leaders in clubs,' Campbell said. 'They can even be participants in the dances like the luau if they are willing to practice.'
Multicultural Student Services also offers job opportunities to all students. Students who work there are hired through the employment office like many other jobs on campus. Students are hired based on ability and qualifications, not because of ethnic origin.
The mix of the staff in Multicultural Student Services is approximately 60 percent multicultural and 40 percent Caucasian, Heperi said.