01 of 06
Cross-Cultural Center
THE CAMPUS ACTIVISM OF THE LATE ’ 60S and ’ 70s would take on many fronts in the ensuing decades — from increasing diversity and ethnic representation on campus — to reactions to national events and global human rights causes like apartheid . Running through the discourse on these matters was an impassioned call for a physical space on campus to foster community for underrepresented students . This call became loudest after particular events of the ’ 90s : In May 1992 , over 500 students halted southbound traffic on I-5 to protest the acquittal of Los Angeles police officers in the Rodney King case . Two years later , the iconic murals of the Che Café were defaced with a swastika as well as anti-gay slogans and hate speech .
“ This is why we need a cross-cultural center ,” said newly elected Associated Student President Poncho Guevara ’ 95 at a conference held to discuss the vandalism . “ It would not be a center just for students of color . It would also be a center to help people understand that this kind of thing should not be allowed at an institution of higher education like UCSD .”
1995 saw the inception of the Cross-Cultural Center , or “ The Cross ,” UC San Diego ’ s first space dedicated to work in equity , inclusion and diversity . “ We envisioned the Cross as being the space where individuals would become activists , would mobilize campaigns and protests to continue to create change and make the campus a more vibrant and just place for all ,” wrote former Cross-Cultural Center Assistant Director Juan Carlos Astorga ’ 95 in the center ’ s 20-year retrospective .
Today , the Cross-Cultural Center has the unique distinction among the six campus community centers as the only one that does not serve a specific ethnic population . Edwina Welch , DEd ' 09 , who has been director from the start , is often asked the question : “ Who does the Cross-Cultural Center serve ?”
The center is designed to be a place for all students , faculty and staff , especially underrepresented and underserved , to embrace their culture and identity while discovering shared histories and struggles . Welch believes these spaces serve as a crucial nexus for learning and growing , as well as a place to call home .
“ What I have gathered is that people are hungry for places of exploration around equity , diversity and inclusion issues — they want to ask questions and learn ,” says Welch . “ Our goal is to find the intersection , and work together to become more powerful as a community .”
Learn more at ccc . ucsd . edu
HEART OF IT ALL Cross-Cultural Center Director Edwina Welch , DEd ' 09 , has helped several generations of students find their place at the university .
UC San Diego ’ s six Campus
Community Centers are as hard-fought as they are heartfelt : for alumni who helped found them , and the students who find themselves there .
By Erika Johnson ’ 11
30 TRITON | SPRING
2019