The Council of Ethnic Organizations is a student-fee funded organization that promotes cultural awareness and appreciates the different cultures at UH.
“We throw ethnic events and support ethnic organizations through co-sponsorships and promotion,” said computer engineering technology senior and Co-Marketing Director of CEO Oreoluwa Akinyemi Ayodele.
CEO consists of individuals and member-group organizations that represent the diverse student body at UH.
“It’s important to join this organization because it promotes diversity on campus and interaction between different cultures and ethnicities,” said education junior Michael Harding, director of the Metropolitan Volunteer Program.
“When students promote diversity they are showing a maturity level that can only lead to the betterment of the campus and positive effects within the city of Houston,” Harding said.
According to CEO’s Web site, the organization promotes quality programs that are devoted to displaying ethnic diversity and multiculturalism, and students have access to the resources offered by CEO.
“Our goal for this semester is to increase our individual and group membership, as well as increase participation among these members and their events,” said economics junior and Assistant Director of CEO Steven Fentanes. “We strive to make each and every student feel like they’re at home when it comes to showcasing their diverse culture here on campus.”
CEO promotes general diversity in addition to ethnic, religious, lifestyle and music diversity.
“The organization was created in 1972 by Marguerite Ross Barnett, who saw a need for diversity on UH’s campus,” advisor to CEO Tiffany Spurlock said. “CEO gives the student body the opportunity to have a voice and teach people about their culture. Students can ask questions to become more aware, grow and become better people.”
CEO hosts the Asian Spring Festival and contributes to Black History Month and Frontier Fiesta by providing carnival rides.
“We believe that stepping out of your boundaries, seeking knowledge and exposing yourself to unknown territory will make you stronger once leaving your undergrad career,”consumer science and merchandising senior Derek Robinson, CEO’s director, said.
Spurlock said CEO will hold a variety of events, including the Women of the World Banquet on April 13 in the University Center’s Houston Room. Scheduled keynote speaker for the event is Texas Secretary of State Esperanza Andrade.
Also on the CEO schedule is the iDiversify Conference, which will be held April 10 in the UC.
“Being a member of CEO is absolutely free. We strive to make this organization as beneficial to our members as possible,” Ayodele said. “We do several volunteering events as well as social events but all in the context of diversity.”
One of the strong points of UH is the diversity seen throughout campus among its 37,000 students.
“As far as diversity goes, UH should be the spotlight among any other university in the nation,” Ayodele said. “Students should take pride in the fact that they attend a university that can promote one of America’s greatest qualities.”
Individuals can get involved in the organization by going to the CEO office in the UC Underground, talking with any of the directors or by visiting www.uhceo.net.
CEO will hold general member meetings every other Friday starting this week, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., in the conference room in the UC Underground.
Robinson said members are encouraged to attend meetings to receive more information on upcoming events, as well as to earn member points needed to uphold their co-sponsorship benefits.