The Multicultural Student Coalition is sponsoring its fifth-annual Multicultural Orientation Networking Empowerment (M-ONE) program in hopes of exposing University of Wisconsin students to the many different cultural backgrounds on campus.

M-ONE offers new students the opportunity to attend different cultural events throughout the semester to learn about diversity in a fun environment.

Roberto Paredes, an executive staff member of MCSC, explained the importance of the events.

“Students can use these activities as a way to learn about different resources around campus by meeting different student leaders and networking,” Paredes explained.

Last year, daily events were condensed into one month. This year, however, Paredes explained MCSC decided to give students a chance to attend events throughout the semester because new students are often bombarded with activities at the beginning of the year. The new schedule is meant to allow the events to be more enjoyable and helpful to students.

Students from all backgrounds have been attending events thus far this year and seem to be enjoying them, Paredes said. He also noted that approximately 350 students showed up at the kick-off event, Student of Color Orientation. The attendance was close to last year’s number, and MCSC hopes to continue to improve attendance so all students can gain from what the events have to offer.

As UW freshman Jessica Lehman said, this program and MCSC has not just provided an outlet for meeting student leaders, but has given her a way to learn about the campus’ cultural makeup.

“College is all about expanding horizons and getting the opportunity to experience new people and cultures,” Lehman said. “The Student of Color Orientation gave me the chance to get in touch with people that I normally wouldn’t see inside my social circle.”

MCSC, a registered student organization that receives much of its funds from students’ segregated fees, strives to provide education and programming on students of different cultures.

All students can join in the activities the upcoming weeks have to offer. This Saturday, a multicultural barbeque is planned at Tenney Park from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., with free food and sports games offered. Buses will be available at the Memorial Union to take students to and from the event.

In addition, M-ONE will include an art contest in which the winner’s piece will eventually be displayed on State Street. Students also have the chance to party to the sounds of many different cultures at a dinner and dance Oct. 2.

To wrap up the month’s festivities, a DJ scratch battle featuring 5th Platoon is also planned. Top winners then get to take home DJ equipment as prizes.

“These events allow students that are not necessarily comfortable in a large university to be introduced to a different side of campus life,” Paredes said.

Julie Covarrubias, a UW freshman, said the activities help UW students recognize the unique backgrounds abundant on campus.

“As a Hispanic student here on campus, I believe it is very important for these kind of activities to take place so people can fully understand and value the differences around them,” Covarrubias said, adding that she hopes events like those in M-ONE will continue throughout the school year.