I volunteered here during the last year in college. I cooked international meals to serve those who joined us during the Friday International Lunch. Please save the center and keep this tradition going.
E
Elsa Weinstein
10 years ago
The International Center, which has served as such a welcoming place for so many international students and their families, needs to be kept as a cohesive unit, including the very important kitchen exchange and resale shop.
M
Madeleine de Lorme
10 years ago
As a former exchange student from the United Kingdom in Sussex University, I am deeply saddened to hear that the International Center, a place I had depended upon to feel I was part of the community of UCSD, may now be disbanded. The help I was given to set up my apartment, the enjoyment of meeting people the organisers had made for those of us a long way from home in order to experience an American university, was a vital time I will never forget. For the sake of those people who will still be coming to this university, I beg you to keep the International Center in action now and for good.
A
Anonymous
10 years ago
The International Center is an important central community center for many members of the UCSD community, including students, staff, faculty, and visitors. I definitely agree that new plans for the future of the center as a unified, cohesive unit (not split up!), must be drawn up before demolition of the current center.
M
Mary Liz Spiess DeJong
10 years ago
Even though some of the plans have been clarified since petition was drafted, I want to add my voice to those who believe strongly in the International Center concept. Having all the services co-located is important, including the Retail Shop.
S
Sharon Beckas
10 years ago
I agree that the demolition of the center be delayed until a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and/or Memorandum of Agreement (MOU) between UCSD administration, faculty, students, and staff has been agreed upon.
S
Sarah Buck Kachaluba
10 years ago
The International Center is an important gathering place for UCSD faculty and students, as well as for our international visitors. It is also an attractive building with a nice courtyard. We need a commitment by the University that a new and appropriate International Center will be built before the old one is torn down and the community that uses it is left without its space.
R
Rosaura Sanchez
10 years ago
The International Center is a valued meeting place and should be replaced on the same spot if it is to be demolished.
S
Sophia Hirakis
· petition starter
10 years ago
You are correct.
There are no plans to re-centralize the International center as an on-campus institution.
S
Sophia Hirakis
· petition starter
10 years ago
@Christine I hope that you have confidence in the people that started this petition.
C
Christine Hunefeldt
10 years ago
Here goes my vote of "no confidence" for the ultimate responsible of this very wrong decision.
M
Melanie davidson
10 years ago
I served 8 years as a counselor to undergrads at UCSD. If being student centered is the mission, shutting down this center with no plans for rebuilding is a mistake.
J
Juan Flores
10 years ago
Presumably the plan is to demolish it and build some large academic building in the same location? If so, can the International Center get some space in the new building, or at another building? There are two issues here:
1. The International Center as an on-campus institution
2. The physical building the International Center is located in
If I understand correctly, both are going away as of July 8, or just the physical building (#2)?
J
Jorge Montesinos
10 years ago
This is a low blow to campus diversity. The Icenter is a valuable resource for an important, yet often-vulnerable, part of UCSD: international students. I urge UCSD authorities to work with I-center's community to find a better solution than demolishing this building. I urge UCSD authorities to put in practice UCSD's principles on fostering diversity.
A
Amanda Moore
10 years ago
The international is an important hub for all international students and scholars coming to start their new stage of life.
B
Brian Henry
10 years ago
Having both worked at the International Center, and accessing it as a student I cannot stress enough that a comprehensive center must remain in place. From social, academic, and professional needs, the ICenter staff worked together collaboratively with campus partners like the Friends of the International Center and other groups. Both students and staff were supported in a community environment where information was just a doorstep away from your coworker. The participation of "the Friends" supported UCSD students studying abroad through social gatherings like Friday Cafes and the Kitchen Exchange. You are losing a valuable partner and fundamentally changing the function of community and collaboration that a comprehensive center provides. I bought my first business suit from the Friends Resale shop as well as my costumes for the LGBTA Drag Show there. This is just a small informal example of the resources that the ICenter and Friends of the ICenter provide. The larger impact is much more significant to UCSD students and staff. Dismantling the center is a huge mistake that you can prevent.
J
Jessica Wong
10 years ago
The centre was home, meeting place and exchange point for all. It must stay, as a symbol of friendship and understanding across all borders and barriers.
E
Eduardo Rallo
10 years ago
Great part of university. Please do not close!!
Y
Yi Zhou
10 years ago
I can remember the first time we went to the orientation held in the International center, it was home coming, with decent Chinese food and all helps from the volunteers. And the farewell party for the International center weeks ago, all those memories people shared filled with laughter and sadness of staffs faculties and students who have been working here for decades. We love International center and please don't take it away.
J
Julia McMillan
10 years ago
Anyone who has worked or studied abroad knows how comforting and pragmatic is it to keep the offices and services around international students and scholars together. Please consider the needs of this crucial and growing segment of the UCSD population!
I volunteered here during the last year in college. I cooked international meals to serve those who joined us during the Friday International Lunch. Please save the center and keep this tradition going.
The International Center, which has served as such a welcoming place for so many international students and their families, needs to be kept as a cohesive unit, including the very important kitchen exchange and resale shop.
As a former exchange student from the United Kingdom in Sussex University, I am deeply saddened to hear that the International Center, a place I had depended upon to feel I was part of the community of UCSD, may now be disbanded. The help I was given to set up my apartment, the enjoyment of meeting people the organisers had made for those of us a long way from home in order to experience an American university, was a vital time I will never forget. For the sake of those people who will still be coming to this university, I beg you to keep the International Center in action now and for good.
The International Center is an important central community center for many members of the UCSD community, including students, staff, faculty, and visitors. I definitely agree that new plans for the future of the center as a unified, cohesive unit (not split up!), must be drawn up before demolition of the current center.
Even though some of the plans have been clarified since petition was drafted, I want to add my voice to those who believe strongly in the International Center concept. Having all the services co-located is important, including the Retail Shop.
I agree that the demolition of the center be delayed until a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and/or Memorandum of Agreement (MOU) between UCSD administration, faculty, students, and staff has been agreed upon.
The International Center is an important gathering place for UCSD faculty and students, as well as for our international visitors. It is also an attractive building with a nice courtyard. We need a commitment by the University that a new and appropriate International Center will be built before the old one is torn down and the community that uses it is left without its space.
The International Center is a valued meeting place and should be replaced on the same spot if it is to be demolished.
You are correct. There are no plans to re-centralize the International center as an on-campus institution.
@Christine I hope that you have confidence in the people that started this petition.
Here goes my vote of "no confidence" for the ultimate responsible of this very wrong decision.
I served 8 years as a counselor to undergrads at UCSD. If being student centered is the mission, shutting down this center with no plans for rebuilding is a mistake.
Presumably the plan is to demolish it and build some large academic building in the same location? If so, can the International Center get some space in the new building, or at another building? There are two issues here: 1. The International Center as an on-campus institution 2. The physical building the International Center is located in If I understand correctly, both are going away as of July 8, or just the physical building (#2)?
This is a low blow to campus diversity. The Icenter is a valuable resource for an important, yet often-vulnerable, part of UCSD: international students. I urge UCSD authorities to work with I-center's community to find a better solution than demolishing this building. I urge UCSD authorities to put in practice UCSD's principles on fostering diversity.
The international is an important hub for all international students and scholars coming to start their new stage of life.
Having both worked at the International Center, and accessing it as a student I cannot stress enough that a comprehensive center must remain in place. From social, academic, and professional needs, the ICenter staff worked together collaboratively with campus partners like the Friends of the International Center and other groups. Both students and staff were supported in a community environment where information was just a doorstep away from your coworker. The participation of "the Friends" supported UCSD students studying abroad through social gatherings like Friday Cafes and the Kitchen Exchange. You are losing a valuable partner and fundamentally changing the function of community and collaboration that a comprehensive center provides. I bought my first business suit from the Friends Resale shop as well as my costumes for the LGBTA Drag Show there. This is just a small informal example of the resources that the ICenter and Friends of the ICenter provide. The larger impact is much more significant to UCSD students and staff. Dismantling the center is a huge mistake that you can prevent.
The centre was home, meeting place and exchange point for all. It must stay, as a symbol of friendship and understanding across all borders and barriers.
Great part of university. Please do not close!!
I can remember the first time we went to the orientation held in the International center, it was home coming, with decent Chinese food and all helps from the volunteers. And the farewell party for the International center weeks ago, all those memories people shared filled with laughter and sadness of staffs faculties and students who have been working here for decades. We love International center and please don't take it away.
Anyone who has worked or studied abroad knows how comforting and pragmatic is it to keep the offices and services around international students and scholars together. Please consider the needs of this crucial and growing segment of the UCSD population!