Asian American and Asian Resource and Cultural Center, Native American Educational and Cultural Center to get new homes

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue University's Asian American and Asian Resource and Cultural Center and Native American Educational and Cultural Center will have new homes for the fall 2016 semester.

Both centers are moving to Fifth Street locations in close proximity to each other. The AAARCC, now in Stewart Center, will be at 915 Fifth St. The NAECC, now at South Campus Courts (503 Harrison St.), is moving to 903 Fifth St.

The two centers plan to start the 2016-17 academic year in their new homes.

"We feel that the new Fifth Street locations, in the area between the campus's primary academic and residential cores, will help both cultural centers," said Michael B. Cline, vice president for Physical Facilities.

The move has several advantages, said Victoria Loong, interim director of the AAARCC.

"The new location, which will have over 1,700 square feet, gives us significantly more space than we now have in Stewart Center (431 square feet)," she said. "It is still centrally located, we will be closer to the other cultural centers and the extra space also will allow for more on-site events that we can't offer now. This standalone building not only provides more space, but also allows for diverse spaces within one building, which will promote the intersection of cultures that we have here at Purdue."

The AAARCC opened in April 2015. It was established to support Purdue Asian American and Asian students and provide education and awareness opportunities for the campus community.

Felica Ahasteen-Bryant, NAECC director, is excited about the center's new home, which will have more than 2,100 square feet.

"With the move, the NAECC will be able to expand academic support to students, increase cultural programs for the campus community and encourage new visitors to engage with our Native community," she said. "The new center will include an ITaP-supported computer lab, library, study areas and meeting rooms.

The NAECC was established in the spring of 2007 and Ahasteen-Bryant said the center's 10th anniversary will be observed in the new location. She said a committee will work over the summer to plan cultural events for the 2016-17 academic year.

"I would like to extend my appreciation to all the students, alumni, faculty, staff and members of the community who were instrumental in establishing our Native American community at Purdue, " Ahasteen-Bryant said. "We are excited to celebrate our 10th anniversary in the new center, and I invite everybody to visit us in August." 

Writer: Greg McClure, 765-496-9711, gmcclure@purdue.edu

Sources: Felica Ahasteen-Bryant, 765-494-4540, fahastee@purdue.edu 

Victoria Loong, 765-496-0464, vloong@purdue.edu