Action Item (as stated with DEI strategic plan launch in 2016)
A new multicultural center will be built in the heart of campus. Inspired by the advocacy of the Black Student Union, and with the enthusiastic support of campus leadership, this building will serve as a venue for student programs and activities that develop cultural learning and skills for collaborative engagement. In addition to providing event and meeting space for student organizations, the Trotter Multicultural Center (TMC) will serve as a center for campus conversations on and programming to improve climate, student support and diversity, equity and inclusion at the University of Michigan.
DEI 1.0 Evaluation Update
As part of DEI 1.0 efforts, in November of 2017, the university broke ground for a new multicultural center in the heart of campus, to be named in honor of African-American civil rights activist William Monroe Trotter (1872-1934). The Trotter Multicultural Center grand opening was celebrated on April 11, 2019, with more than 1,500 U-M community members in attendance. Since that official opening, TMC has:
- Launched the Trotter Multicultural Center Student Creative Gallery as a venue for exhibitions by U-M students whose artwork promotes dialogue, reflection and action
- Registered 1,400+ reservations for meeting rooms and event venues
- Engaged with 815+ participants across 25 interfaith-focused events and gatherings
- Functioned as a catalyst for 34 partnerships across campus
- Coordinated and offered 11+ academic courses focused on cultural, social, historical and social justice studies
- Accommodated 589 individual study space reservations during the 2020-21 academic year, resulting in 12,177 visits
- Served as a distribution site for Maize and Blue COVID safety kits throughout the pandemic
Responsibility: Division of Student Life