In the hopes of bringing about a better understanding between black students of different cultures, a new interest house will open in August.

The Black Diaspora House will focus on bringing together students of African descent from around the world, said Gail Hurley, director of Residence Hall Programs.

"In the past, black people have been dispersed to different places and different cultures, such as the Caribbean area or the U.S.," Hurley said.

Karl Romain (senior-secondary education) said this dispersion, or diaspora, has caused several misunderstandings between African-Americans, African- Caribbeans and continental Africans.

The proposal for the interest house was originated by Romain, along with several other students in the now-defunct Black Student Coalition Against Racism who saw a need to bridge the divisions within the University's black student body. Romain said part of the inspiration for the interest house came from a similar program at Cornell University.

"The purpose of this house would be to provide a living environment where African-descended students could learn about the different cultures throughout the diaspora," the interest house's proposal stated. "The focus would be on recognizing the commonality of heritage shared by these people and gaining an understanding of cultural differences and similarities, especially through food, language and the arts."

Romain said programs and activities will include bringing in guest speakers as well as having group discussions and ethnic meals. The house will also have an adviser from the Department of Black Studies.

Hurley said the proposal passed all the regular channels and was approved by the Interest House Council without any objection. IHC president Elissa Cohen said proposals for new interest houses must answer 10 criteria; including questions of purpose, budget, management and programming.

The Black Diaspora Interest House will be located on the fourth floor of Stone Hall and will accommodate 54 students and a resident assistant, said Chris Hurley, assistant manager of the room assignments office. With the addition of the Black Diaspora house and the new Adult House at Stone Hall, a total of 14 interest houses will exist at the University.