Rice's diverse academic and social atmosphere enables students to be as involved in campus life as they choose. Students are not hindered or prevented from "doing their own thing," but invited to take advantage of every opportunity and challenge. There are a number of student organizations that take an active role in OMA and its efforts to promote respect for diversity while exploring and learning from the myriad of cultures that our increasingly diverse student body represent.

• Black Student Association Initially organized to address the needs and concerns of black students, the Black Student Association (BSA) has grown into a useful forum for the entire Rice community. Though its mission broadens or narrows in accordance with a changing student population, the BSA always involves itself in community service and outreach, organizing social opportunities for its members, and sponsoring campus forums. Whether sponsoring a poetry reading, soliciting issue papers, or coordinating events for the Martin Luther King holiday, the BSA is at its best when sharing the history and experiences of African Americans at Rice.

• Chinese Student Association (CSA) provides students with the opportunity to learn more about Chinese culture and heritage. In addition to providing fellowship among the Chinese students at Rice, the CSA actively participates in various social functions sponsored by the greater Houston Chinese community. In keeping with the traditional Chinese value of the importance of education, the CSA helps to provide the support and friendship needed to assist many Asian American students through their college years.

• HACER The Hispanic Association for Cultural Education at Rice is an organization which seeks to promote Hispanic culture within the Rice community. HACER is a diverse group that not only initiates and sponsors social and cultural events, but also serves as a support group for Hispanic students. HACER gives members the opportunity to meet and form close friendships with Hispanic students at Rice and also with members of Hispanic student groups from neighboring medical schools and universities. HACER emphasizes an obligation to broadening the Rice person's understanding of Hispanics without segregating its members; thus, membership is open to all students.

• South Asian Society (SAS) is a student organization dedicated to spreading awareness of the cultures of South Asia. Membership is open to the entire student body, and the club holds various events and programs to share the South Asian experience with Rice University -- and beyond.

A sampling of additional student groups with which OMA works on a regular basis include:
• The National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)
• Caribbean Student Society (CSS)
• Japanese Association of Students and Scholars (JASS)
• Korean Student Association (KSA)
• The Muslim Student Association
• Vietnamese Student Organization (VSA)
• Rice Taiwanese Association (RTA)
• Pride
• The Native American Student Association (NASA)
• Mexican Student Association at Rice (MESAR)
• Black Graduate Students Association
• NAACP: Rice Chapter

For a complete listing of student organizations, please visit the Office of Student Activities.