Lana Oconnell
Students of color at Michigan State University have reported experiencing racism on campus. At a public forum, several students shared their concerns about the racial discrimination they face at the university, including being called racial slurs and treated differently because of their skin color. However, some students of color have also expressed pride in their racial identity and appreciated the efforts of professors and teachers to value diversity and inclusivity. The university has a medium racial diversity, with 33% of students being minorities or people of color (BIPOC). While there are mixed feelings among students of color about their experiences at Michigan State University, the university administration has affirmed its commitment to addressing racial discrimination and fostering a safe, inclusive, and respectful campus environment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Racism on campus | Common |
| Treatment of students of colour | Differently to white students |
| University response to racism | Insufficient |
| Diversity of students | Medium racial diversity, 33% BIPOC |
| Gender diversity | Significantly lower than other US colleges |
| Sense of community | Strong |
| Faculty quality | Good |
| Student support | Good |
| Student body | Kind and relaxed |
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What You'll Learn
- Students of colour at Michigan State University report experiencing racism on campus
- Some students of colour feel that the university does not take their concerns about racial discrimination seriously
- There is a sense of community at Michigan State University, which some students of colour appreciate
- Students of colour can access career services and networking opportunities through the university
- The university has a medium level of racial diversity, with 33% of students from minority backgrounds
Students of colour at Michigan State University report experiencing racism on campus
Michigan State University (MSU) has a racially diverse student body, with 33% of students being from minority ethnic backgrounds. However, students of colour at the university have reported experiencing racism on campus. At a public forum in 2019, students shared their experiences of racial discrimination, stating that it was common to be called racial slurs and treated differently because of their skin colour. One black student, Shania Cox, expressed her desire for the university to address racial discrimination with the same urgency as it does sexual assault.
In 2023, black MSU students again shared experiences of discrimination and sought changes. Mikeise May, a political science junior and event coordinator for the MSU National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, described feeling singled out and outcast due to his background. He also recounted an incident in which he was physically and verbally assaulted by campus police, labelled as an aggressor, and subjected to racial slurs. May called for greater acknowledgement of the issues faced by black students and more initiative from the university administration.
Another student, Tayler Jones, serves as the public relations chair for the Black Students' Alliance (BSA), an organisation advocating for the protection and promotion of black students on campus. Jones has spoken to many students who have experienced various forms of racism. The BSA works to address discrimination by filing reports through the MSU Office of Institutional Equity.
These incidents highlight the challenges faced by students of colour at MSU and their efforts to address racial discrimination and promote equity on campus. While the university has affirmed its commitment to fostering an inclusive environment, students of colour continue to advocate for greater recognition and action regarding racial issues.
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Some students of colour feel that the university does not take their concerns about racial discrimination seriously
Michigan State University has a medium level of racial diversity, with 33% of students being from minority backgrounds. However, some students of colour have expressed concerns about racial discrimination on campus and feel that the university does not take their concerns seriously.
At a public forum in 2019, students shared their experiences of racism at the university, stating that being called racial slurs and feeling like they didn't belong on campus was commonplace. Shania Cox, a black MSU student, expressed her desire for the university to address racial discrimination with the same urgency as it does sexual assault. She said, "I don't want this to be swept under the rug until something major happens and then we take precautions."
In response to these concerns, MSU President Samuel Stanley assured the campus community that administrators are working to address the problems. In a letter, he wrote, "I, too, am concerned, because a safe, inclusive and respectful campus is my top priority. Hate has no home at Michigan State. We want every individual to feel welcomed, valued and heard."
While some students have shared negative experiences, others have expressed that they feel a sense of community and belonging at the university. One biracial student shared that they had never experienced genuine racism during their time at MSU. Additionally, some students have acknowledged the efforts of individual professors and teachers in valuing diversity and inclusivity, even if the university as a whole could do better.
It is important to acknowledge that racism exists within the broader context of American society, and universities are not immune to it. Students of colour at MSU have voiced their concerns, and the university has responded with assurances that it is working to address these issues. However, there is still work to be done to ensure that all students of colour feel valued, respected, and heard.
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There is a sense of community at Michigan State University, which some students of colour appreciate
Michigan State University has a medium level of racial diversity, with 33% of students being from minority backgrounds. While some students of colour have reported experiencing racism on campus, others have praised the sense of community at the university.
One student on Reddit highlighted the university's inclusivity, saying that "you feel a sense of community no matter where you go". They also noted that alumni are everywhere, even in small villages in the Czech Republic and national parks in California. This student's experience reflects a sense of camaraderie and a feeling of "home" on campus, which may be especially comforting for students of colour who feel like they belong.
Another student on Reddit praised the faculty, saying that "the professors are for sure much better about diversity and inclusion than the university as a whole". They also acknowledged the institutional efforts made by MSU in recent years to be more inclusive. This suggests that while racism exists within the university, there are also positive steps being taken to foster a sense of community and belonging for students of colour.
Additionally, MSU offers career services specifically for students of colour, helping them to develop job search strategies, build professional networks, and prepare for interviews. These services further contribute to a supportive community for students of colour, helping them to succeed in their academic and professional pursuits.
While there is a sense of community at Michigan State University that some students of colour appreciate, it is important to acknowledge the experiences of other students of colour who have faced racism and discrimination on campus. Addressing these issues is crucial to creating a truly inclusive and welcoming environment for all students.
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Students of colour can access career services and networking opportunities through the university
Michigan State University offers a variety of career services and networking opportunities for students of colour. The university values the diverse perspectives and experiences that students of colour bring to the campus community. To support these students, Michigan State University provides access to career advising appointments, resources for navigating the workplace, and networking events.
One key resource for students of colour is the MSU Career Services Network. This network offers one-on-one career advising appointments, where students can receive guidance on evaluating employer culture and fit. Career advisors help students articulate how their unique experiences can benefit employers and guide them in developing a job search strategy that targets employers who value diversity. Additionally, the network provides curated resources for navigating the workplace and building a professional network of diverse mentors.
MSU Connect is another valuable platform for students of colour seeking career services and networking opportunities. It is a career networking and mentoring community that connects current students with MSU alumni. Through MSU Connect, students can browse and connect with volunteer alumni mentors based on location, industry, or specific interest groups. These groups include those for first-generation students, international students, and migrant student services. MSU Connect also offers online resources like Interview Prep, which helps students prepare for virtual interviews.
The university also hosts events like the annual Diversity Career Fair, where students of colour can connect with diverse alumni and employers from a range of fields. The Office for Inclusion and Intercultural Initiatives further promotes diversity and inclusion through various programs and services, ensuring that all students feel welcomed, valued, and heard on campus.
Beyond career services, Michigan State University offers several student organisations and initiatives that foster networking opportunities for students of colour. These include groups such as Future Leaders In Sports & Entertainment (FLISE), which connects students with professionals in the sports and entertainment industries, and student organisations focused on health and well-being, such as EIM-OC. While there have been reports of students of colour experiencing racism on campus, the university is working to address these issues and create a safe and inclusive environment for all students.
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The university has a medium level of racial diversity, with 33% of students from minority backgrounds
Michigan State University has a medium level of racial diversity, with 33% of its students from minority backgrounds. While this indicates a certain level of diversity, some students of colour have expressed that experiencing racism is the norm at the university. At a public forum, students shared their experiences of being treated differently and being called racial slurs on campus.
In response to these concerns, MSU President Samuel Stanley has assured the campus community that administrators are working to address racial discrimination. In a letter, he wrote, “I, too, am concerned, because a safe, inclusive and respectful campus is my top priority. Hate has no home at Michigan State. We want every individual to feel welcomed, valued and heard."
Despite these issues, some students of colour have shared positive experiences at MSU. One student on Reddit expressed that they felt a sense of community and belonging on campus, and that the faculty actually cared about their students. They also mentioned that there are many clubs and organisations where students can find their niche and feel supported.
Additionally, MSU offers resources specifically for students of colour, such as the Career Services Network. This network helps students with career development, job search strategies, and building a diverse professional network. It also provides tools like Choices 360, which assists students in assessing their interests, work values, and beliefs when exploring career options.
While there is room for improvement in addressing racism and fostering inclusivity, Michigan State University's medium level of racial diversity presents an opportunity for students of colour to connect and find support from each other and the university.
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Frequently asked questions
33% of students at Michigan State University are minorities or people of color (BIPOC). The university has medium racial diversity.
Students of color at Michigan State University have reported experiencing racism on campus. At a public forum, students said that being called racial slurs, treated differently, and feeling like they didn't belong on campus because of their skin color was a common experience. However, some students of color have also reported feeling a sense of community and belonging at the university.
The university administration has acknowledged the issues raised by students of color and has stated that addressing racial discrimination is a top priority. MSU President Samuel Stanley has assured the campus community that administrators are working to create a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment for all students. The faculty at the university have also been reported to value diversity and inclusivity.
Michigan State University offers a range of resources for students of color, including career services, mentoring opportunities, and student groups. The university also provides online tools and resources to help students of color with job search strategies and interview preparation.
