The closest many students get to the Caribbean is on a cruise or Spring Break trip. But some Towson University students of Caribbean hope to change that, starting with their classmates’ taste buds. Some students may have dined at the Glen April 29, but members of the Caribbean Student Association tasted sharp sauces on jerk chicken at their first cookout.

“We want Towson to know that the Caribbean is more than a destination spot,” CSA president Kasi Rawlins said. “We have so much richness in our cultures that far outshine sandy beaches.”

The CSA has held similar events since their founding in 2006. The organization is open to all students, but it is primarily geared toward providing a place of community for students of Caribbean descent.

“I got involved in CSA because I am from the Virgin Islands,” Rawlins said. “I needed a familiar outlet on campus to cope with being away from home.”

Aside from planning events on campus, the group wants to help the community gain knowledge and appreciation of Caribbean culture. Additionally, the group promotes academic achievement, community service, and diversity among its members.

“I hope CSA is able to spread knowledge about the Caribbean to Towson as well as the surrounding community,” CSA media manager Bianca Pinnock said. “I also hope everyone can just be exposed to the culture and get the same love that I have for it.”

To some members of the CSA, the group is not just a campus organization. It’s a tight-knit family that offers a close sense of community to all of its members.

“I believe that the many programs the members of the organization put on and the community that they have built here on campus have enabled them to educate the campus about the people, life and history of the various islands they represent.” CSA adviser Art King said. “I know that they are proud of their heritage and have become wonderful ambassadors for their respective countries.”