A myriad of support organizations for minority groups on campus exists to encourage the understanding of minority issues through social and cultural programming.
These groups can help ease the transition to college by providing guidance and fostering familiar cultural environments for their members.
Events sponsored by these organizations are open to the entire Dartmouth community.
Minority students make up about 25 percent of the Class of 2001, the College's highest percentage ever.
Afro-American Society
The Afro-American Society provides programs aimed at serving the academic, cultural and social needs of African and African-American students at Dartmouth.
The AAm sponsors lectures and guest speakers.
Cutter-Shabazz Hall provides housing for 27 students and contains a library specializing in Afro-American studies.
Dartmouth Asian Organization
The Dartmouth Asian Organization serves as a center for social and intellectual interaction for Asian-American and Asian students and works to promote the understanding and appreciation of all Asian cultures.
DAO sponsors dinners, dances, panel discussions and other activities open to the entire Dartmouth community.
Every winter DAO organizes an Asian Festival in conjunction with other Asian organizations on campus.
Dartmouth Rainbow Alliance
DRA provides support and discussion opportunities for gay, lesbian and bi-sexual students.
The Alliance also continues to increase awareness of issues and concerns facing homosexuals at the College. The group participates in campus issues and forums.
An annual event sponsored by DRA is the drag queen ball during Winter Carnival.
Korean-American Students Association
The Korean-American Students Association was established to promote a better understanding of Korean heritage, culture, language and concerns to the Dartmouth Community.
KASA sponsors an annual culture night Spring term.
La Alianza Latina
Founded in 1985, La Alianza Latina supports advocacy of Latino issues and culture.
La Alianza Latina sponsors guest lecturers, discussion groups, panels, leadership activities, cultural dinners, study breaks, dances and movie nights.
Milan
Milan aims at uniting the students from South Asia and strives to cultivate an exchange of ideas and an awareness of South Asian issues between its members and among members of the Dartmouth community.
Native Americans at Dartmouth
NAD is a group for students of Native American background. However, its membership is not limited to Native Americans only, NAD Council member Casey Sovo said.
In the past year, the number of non-Native persons becoming active members of the group has increased, Sovo said. He said he views this as very positive for the group.
"NAD has many socializing functions over the year to get in touch with incoming Native American students and students interested in Native American culture," he said.
"I think the culminating event of each year is the Pow-wow hosted annually in May," Sovo said. "With this event, NAD strives to help Native American students express their heritage and culture. [The] Pow-wow is also a way to get the Dartmouth Community involved."
Last term, NAD implemented a new governing syste, with a Concensus Council, Sovo said.
"This form of government more closely represents the government many of us have in our own tribes," he said.
