Msu's Students Of Color: Their Feelings And Experiences

Michigan State University (MSU) is a public land-grant research university in East Lansing, Michigan, founded in 1855 as the Agricultural College of the State of Michigan. MSU has a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, with various programs and services that promote these values. The university values the perspectives and stories that students of color bring to the campus and offers support through its Career Services Network. MSU's Office of Inclusion and Intercultural Initiatives provides resources and programs to foster an inclusive environment. The university has a large and diverse student body, with students from all 50 states and 130 countries worldwide. MSU offers over 200 academic programs across 17 degree-granting colleges, providing a well-rounded education that goes beyond practical agriculture.

Racism on campus

Michigan State University (MSU) is a large public university with a sprawling campus in East Lansing, Michigan. While the university has a strong reputation academically and is home to a diverse range of students, it has also been the site of several racial incidents, giving rise to accusations of institutional racism.

Students of colour at MSU have reported feeling exhausted by the continued silence and lack of action from the university administration in response to racist incidents on campus. They have also expressed disappointment in the university's failure to take a stronger stand against racism and adequately address issues of racial injustice.

One student, Edward Nunoo from the Class of 2019, commented on the hurtful nature of these events and the university's inadequate response:

> "So in all it’s really disappointing to see such hateful events occur on campus. I still haven’t quite wrapped my head around the situation. I think the most hurtful part is the University not taking a proper stand towards denouncing actions such as the ones that have been occurring. It is getting very tiring just because it seems like these events keep reoccurring because justice isn’t brought to the table the first time around."

Another student, Chris Young from the Class of 2020, highlighted the institutional nature of the problem, arguing that the focus should be on challenging the culture of the university rather than solely on the actions of individuals in charge:

> "Yes, president Schlissel is handling the situation incredibly irresponsibly with his half-hearted public appearances and empty promises for change going forward, but the student population should not look to him for change. We must look at the issue through a wider lens and seek to dismantle the institutions in place that harbor hate on campus."

Matt Boutte, also from the Class of 2020, pointed out the frustrating lack of response from the university president and the white student body, which contributes to a sense of condoning white supremacy:

> "It’s just frustrating to see so many white students unaffected by what’s going on campus. I don’t think they realize that their inaction is only contributing to condone the white supremacy present on campus. White people have a responsibility to end racism and our institution has relied on the voices of POC to do all of the activism around these issues."

Kate Austin, Class of 2019, echoed similar sentiments, emphasising the boldness and frequency of racist events, indicating a level of comfort for racists on campus:

> "What concerns me is the boldness and the frequency of these events. To me, boldness/frequency indicates comfortability. Why is the University of Michigan flagship campus a comfortable place for blatant racists? Could it be that the tone of the administration reads as too careful and unconcerned? Could it be a lack of effective diversity initiatives? I honestly don't know. But the fact is people are unwilling to ask questions, because it may show the dark side of elite education. That's what upsets me."

Hoai An Pham, Class of 2018, a Vietnamese-American woman of colour, offered a nuanced perspective, acknowledging the subtle ways in which racism manifests and the importance of addressing internalised racism:

> "It is one thing to openly disagree with racism and share posts on Facebook, but it's another to call out your friends, call out yourself, and take actual action. [...] Fighting racism is not a new movement that people are creating, it's a movement that marginalized people have been fighting themselves for years that allies are now joining. [...] Racism didn't just pop up on campus one day, and if we fail to acknowledge/solve it at its roots, then it will only continue to exist."

Madison Jones, also from the Class of 2018, highlighted the overt racism present on campus and the complicity of the administration and white students in allowing it to persist:

> "Now. Not only is overt racism present on this campus, but it is being accepted by the lack of response from the administration and white students. President Schlissel is doing beyond nothing to denounce racism and respond to racist incidents on this campus; he was given the name of the student who used the N-word in multiple Snapchats and hasn't acted upon that. [...] Being a student of color on this campus is exhausting. It's only week five and already so much has happened and so much will continue to happen. And not only do these things happen, but we are carrying this burden with little to no support from the university."

Lack of institutional support

Michigan State University (MSU) has been criticised for its response to racism on campus, with students of colour expressing feelings of exhaustion and disappointment. They have reported that the university's administration has failed to take a strong public stance and concrete action against racial issues. This has led to a perception that MSU is not an inclusive institution for people of colour.

One issue raised by students is the slow response from the university president in addressing racist incidents. There is also a perception that the university's focus on diversity and inclusion is insufficient, with students of colour feeling unsupported and expected to continue performing academically despite the distractions caused by these issues.

Furthermore, MSU's history as an institution founded on white supremacy and built on native land is seen as contributing to the current racial climate. The retention of buildings named after racist individuals and the lack of effective diversity initiatives have been highlighted as areas of concern.

The university's response to the USA Gymnastics sex abuse scandal involving MSU physician Larry Nassar has also been criticised. The handling of sexual assault complaints and the failure to protect students have led to protests and legal action, resulting in staff changes and compensation payments to victims.

In summary, students of colour at MSU have expressed feelings of exhaustion and disappointment due to the university's inadequate response to racial issues. They perceive a lack of institutional support, with the administration's inaction contributing to a campus environment that condones white supremacy.

Poor handling of sexual assault complaints

Michigan State University has faced heavy criticism for its handling of sexual assault complaints, particularly in the case of Larry Nassar, a university physician convicted of seven counts of sexual assault. Nassar sexually abused over 500 women and girls, and the university was accused of failing to take seriously repeated complaints about his behaviour. The university was seen as overly protective of Nassar, its star employee, and failed to put in place measures to stop the assaults.

The fallout from the Nassar case led to the resignation of former president Lou Anna K. Simon, who was honoured with a ceremony and a portrait unveiling, despite outrage and speculation about how much she knew about the abuse. This caused further upset for survivors, who felt that the university was celebrating those who put people in their position.

In addition to Nassar, William Strampel, the dean of the school of osteopathic medicine, was arrested on charges that he failed to stop Nassar's behaviour and that he sexually harassed and intimidated female students.

The university's handling of sexual assault complaints has been described as insensitive and triggering. One student, Miranda Dunlap, recounted how she felt violated and re-traumatised by the reporting process, which involved recounting the assault in graphic detail on multiple occasions. Dunlap also described the insensitive nature of the questions she was asked, such as being expected to describe explicit noises and recount a play-by-play of the perpetrator's actions. She also described the severe issue of timeliness in investigations, with one case taking two years and five months to reach a resolution, causing further distress for survivors.

The university's response to sexual assault has been described as performative, with a lack of courage to take a firm stance against those complicit in the assaults. There is a perceived institutional ignorance and disrespect towards survivors, with one student stating that the university fails to see the whole picture, focusing only on numbers and end results.

The location of the Center for Survivors has also been criticised, as it is housed just a few footsteps away from the MSU financial aid office. This has been described as a physical obstacle for survivors, who may feel too embarrassed or vulnerable to seek help if they have to wait in line in front of other students.

Greek life

Michigan State University (MSU) has a vibrant Greek life culture, with 43 fraternities and 25 sororities across four governing councils: the Interfraternity Council, Multicultural Greek Council, the National Pan-Hellenic Council, and the Panhellenic Council.

One student reports that Greek life is not necessary to form a "brotherhood". They advise that students can get a similar experience by becoming close with people on their floor, as dorm communities tend to be fantastic. However, another student says that Greek life is a great way for introverts to branch out.

Students interested in rushing are advised to wait until the spring, when the weather is better and students have a better feel for East Lansing. Rushing in the spring also means having one finals season under your belt, which can help with time management.

Students are also advised to check out as many fraternities and sororities as possible during Rush Week and to only join if they are truly excited about a particular house and the brothers or sisters they have met.

While Greek life can be a great way to make friends and gain leadership and community service experience, it has also been associated with hazing, homophobic activities, and destructive cultural appropriation and racist behaviour.

Student activism

Michigan State University has a long history of student activism, with students playing a significant role in shaping the university's policies and culture. Over the years, MSU students have advocated for various causes and driven changes on campus and beyond.

One notable example of student activism at MSU was the push for co-ed residence halls during the Vietnam War era. In addition, students successfully blocked the proposed routing of Interstate 496 through the campus. In the 1980s, MSU students led a movement to divest the university's endowment from stocks of companies operating in apartheid South Africa, including Coca-Cola.

More recently, in 2011, a student group organised a large sit-in protest in the university president's office, advocating for a transition from coal energy to 100% clean energy. This protest reflected a broader trend of environmental activism on campus, with initiatives like the Student Organic Farm and the Environmental Steward's program, which promote sustainable practices and environmental stewardship.

MSU students have also been actively involved in addressing issues of racial injustice, both on campus and in the wider community. Following the highly publicised USA Gymnastics sex abuse scandal involving MSU physician Larry Nassar, students played a crucial role in demanding accountability and justice. Their efforts led to several high-level staff changes, including the resignation of President Lou Anna Simon and the retirement of athletic director Mark Hollis and gymnastics coach Kathie Klages.

Additionally, MSU students of colour have spoken out about their experiences with racism on campus and the need for stronger administrative responses to combat hate incidents. They have emphasised the exhaustion and emotional toll of navigating predominantly white spaces and the importance of allyship and anti-racism work.

Overall, the history of student activism at Michigan State University demonstrates a commitment to social justice, environmental sustainability, and holding the university accountable to its values. MSU students have actively shaped the institution's policies and culture, leaving a lasting impact on the campus community and beyond.

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