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The Center for Belonging (also known simply as “The Center”) at Northeastern University Oakland fosters community and belonging for all students on campus. Through year-round programming and dialogue that celebrates cross-cultural exchange, we strive to support students in becoming active voices of social change in their local and global communities. 

Two young women smile while pinning locations on a large world map, with one woman placing a pin and the other looking on. The scene is bright and appears to take place in a classroom or community space.

What we do

The Center for Belonging provides programming that is focused on culture, heritage, identity, religion, and spirituality. Examples of what we’ve done in the past are Culture Connects, lounge hangouts, Holi, Diwali, and Lunar New Year.  

We also honor seven Heritage Months throughout the year:

Arab Heritage Month; Asian, Asian American, & Pacific Islander Heritage Month; Black History Month; Indigenous Heritage Month; Latine Heritage Month; OUTober (LGBTQIA+ Month); and Women’s History Month.

Programs during these months range from community building events to movie screenings to cultural performances to celebrations featuring delicious ethnic cuisines.  

A young man with glasses and a white shirt holds a microphone and speaks at an indoor event. He wears a name tag. Another person with blond hair is blurred in the foreground.

Leadership development

The center facilitates opportunities for holistic leadership development at every stage of a student’s journey. Students can apply these skills to their personal lives, academics, professional work, and community advocacy.

Lounges

To support community building on campus, The Center for Belonging houses 7 student lounges that are located across 2 buildings in Rothwell Center. Refer to the campus map (PDF) for specific locations.

Cyclone Rec Room

The Cyclone Rec Room is a comfortable space for students to unwind, hang out, and have fun. It’s great for watching movies, playing games with friends, making coffees with the Keurig, and having lunch. This lounge has a 75 inch TV, a Nintendo Switch, a ping pong table, and many board games. It also has a microwave, mini fridge, and coffee & tea station.  

LGBTQIA2S Lounge

The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, Two Spirit Lounge serves as a hub for students to study, hold meetings, host events, and be in community together. In this cozy and colorful lounge, students can lounge on bean bags, watch a movie, study at the desk, and even curl up with a book on the window bench. 

Mary Atkins Legacy Lounge

The Mary Atkins Legacy Lounge is a space that celebrates all women and gender expansive students on campus. This lounge is equipped with a microwave, coffee & tea station, white board, and TV. There’s even a small archive and lending library here. This is a great place to study, take a lunch break, host a meeting, and learn about local history. 

Solidarity Lounge

In 2003, the Solidarity Lounge was created after a year of intensive activism and broad-based alliance building to serve as an empowering space for students of color and their allies. The S-Lounge frequently hosts student-based group meetings and events centered around students of color and allies. This multi-room lounge is stocked with couches, swivel chairs, a table and chairs, a coffee & tea station, a TV, and a small lending library.  

Spiritual Space

The Spiritual Space (located next to the Solidarity Louge) is a room for folks to use on a walk-in basis for private prayer, meditation, and peaceful time. All faiths, religions, and spiritualties are welcome here. Prayer mats, floor cushions, and various spiritual & religious texts are available for use in this lounge. Walk-in use during open hours requires no advanced booking and is based on first-come, first-serve availability. 

Student Leadership Lounge

The Student Leadership Lounge is a space for student leaders to collaborate and connect. Student organizations, Associated Students of Northeastern University Oakland (ASNUO), and other student leaders can access supplies and host meetings in this space. A craft room, stocked with arts and craft supplies, is available here for students to utilize.  

Study Room

The Study Room is a space for students to use for study sessions, small meetings, interviews, and more. It is equipped with tables, office chairs, a couch, a TV, and a sound machine. This lounge can be reserved on Robin (app found on the Student Hub) for up to 2 hours at a time, up to a week in advance. It accommodates up to 8 people at one time.  

Questions?

Email [email protected]