The ISU Black Cultural Center, a home away from home for some African-American students, has established a student board of directors to raise awareness about the center’s services.

While speculation circulates around campus that the center will close because of a lack of student interest, George Jackson wants to stop the rumors by revitalizing the center.

“No. We are not in jeopardy of being lost,” said Jackson, assistant dean of the graduate college.”We are in the process of making it more functional and visible.”

Although various campus organizations and community members use the center to gather and conduct meetings, use has been low, said Jackson, who is helping reorganize the center.

Fred Cashaw, graduate coordinator of the Black Cultural Center, said the board of student directors will write proposals for grant money and handle maintenance and other issues the center faces.

“We are trying to be consistent with things,” said Cashaw, graduate in community and regional planning. “We’re having Friday After Class discussions, movie nights, Sunday dinners and other activities so that it is being used.”

The center’s purpose, he said, is to encourage acceptance and understanding of all people.

“One of the BCC’s functions is to provide programs, activities and services which will make all of us more understanding of each other and more understanding of the culture of persons who do not look like us or speak like us, but are deserving of the humanitarian spirit that makes us all the same,” Jackson said.

The center has been facing some hardships lately, he said.

Finances, yard maintenance, housekeeping and its utilization are issues the center is dealing with, Jackson said.

Cashaw said the center is trying to get things running.

“It’s being utilized, but we’re trying to get some more use out of it,” he said.

Various campus organizations use the center for meetings and other gatherings.

Jason Poindexter, member of Omega Psi Phi, a minority fraternity, said he uses the center for socials, fund-raisers, barbecues and programming.

“We use the BCC because it’s a recognizable place for black students to go,” said Poindexter, junior in pre-business.

The center is open to all students.

“Its services are inclusive of the entire Ames community,” Jackson said.

With community support and student leadership, Jackson said, the Black Cultural Center can return to normal.

“Student use is probably down because there is no publicity for the BCC,” Jackson said.

“That is one thing we have to work on.”