The Coordinator for Multicultural Development in the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs and Services gives special attention to the development of multicultural competencies for both students and staff. The coordinator plans and conducts training programs and works with a variety of multicultural issues and projects.
The Office of Minority Student Affairs (OMSA), a department within the Office of the Provost initiates, coordinates and implements a range of services and programs that attempt to positively impact the quality of life for racial/ethnic minority students. The office serves as a support and advocacy network through which racial/ethnic students are provided effective assistance during their academic tenure. The office also assists in the formation of policies and procedures that impact students at Michigan State University.
Typical programs include: annual Minority Student Orientation and Welcome Receptions; Cultural Programs, which provide forums to enhance intellectual, social and personal development for students; and the Minority Aide Program, which consists of 57 undergraduate students assigned to the residence halls to act as resource agents for students and staff. OMSA maintains a liaison relationship with the four racial/ethnic student organizations described below--APASO, BSA, CRU and NAISO. The office is located in 338 Student Services, 353-7745.
Older Adult Students may need help with academic, career or personal growth issues as they make decisions about re-entering MSU. Adult Services, a unit of the Office of the Vice Provost for University Outreach, facilitates a variety of services for re-entry adults: referral, computerized career guidance, registration on the Lifelong Education Option, and non-credit personal growth courses. Call 353-0791 for an appointment, or visit office 51 Kellogg Center.
American Indian Students are represented by the North American Indian Student Organization (NAISO). (See ASMSU.) NAISO sponsors cultural and social programs and promotes campus-wide awareness of current issues affecting American Indian students. NAISO also provides a social support system for students through linkage with the extended Indian community in the Lansing area. The Annual Pow Wow is open to the public and attracts participants from several states. NAISO offices are located in the Culture Room, G-33 Hubbard Hall, 353-3878, and at 327 MSU Union, 353-5255. (Liaison relationship with Office of Minority Student Affairs, 353-7745.)
Asian Pacific American Students are represented in student government by the Asian Pacific American Student Organization (APASO). (See ASMSU.) APASO provides opportunities for students to meet socially and culturally, and serves as a support system for students to discuss issues and concerns relevant to Asian Pacific American Students. The offices are located in the APA Heritage Room, G-13 Holden Hall, 353-3141, and in 328 MSU Union, 353-5255. (Liaison relationship with Office of Minority Student Affairs, 353-7745.)
Black Students are represented in student government at all-campus and residence hall levels. The Black Student Alliance (BSA) serves as the communication linkage of the Black student community and addresses the academic, political, and social needs of Black students. Programs include: the Black Student Welcome Reception, Co-Sponsor of the Annual Black Student Retention Conference, and coordination of Black History Month events. (See ASMSU.) The BSA office is located in 327 MSU Union, 353-5255. (Liaison relationship with Office of Minority Student Affairs, 353-7745.)
The Black Caucuses provide cultural enrichment and appreciation, social interaction, and political voice for Black students in their particular halls. The caucuses also help to educate residence hall students about cultural differences and commonalities in order to promote understanding and social awareness.
Latino/Hispanic Students (Mexican-American, Chicano, Puerto Rican, Cuban, and other Hispanics/Latinos) are represented in student government by the Culturas de las Razas Unidas (CRU). (See ASMSU.) CRU provides cultural and social programs and workshops on academic skills. The group also monitors and responds to University programs and issues on behalf of Hispanic students. The CRU office is located in 328 MSU Union, 353-5255. (Liaison relationship with Office of Minority Student Affairs, 353-7745.)
International Students (and their families) receive special assistance through the Office of International Education Exchange (OIEX), 103 Center for International Programs, 353-1720. OIEX provides advising and support on academic, personal, immigration, health insurance, and financial matters, and develops cultural educational programs and orientations for international students. It also houses SAIL, a cross-cultural education program utilizing the talents of international and internationally experienced U.S. students to help MSU students and faculty learn about other countries and cultures; the Sponsored Student Program which provides special assistance to sponsored students and their sponsors; and the Community Volunteers for International Programs (CVIP) who provide valuable support services to families of international students and scholars through the invaluable work of volunteers.
Persons with Disabilities - The OPHS (Disability Resource Center) provides a variety of accessibility and consulting services to persons with disabilities at Michigan State. Students, faculty, staff and visitors may coordinate any accessibility needs through the OPHS (DRC), located in 120 Bessey Hall. The OPHS (DRC) has specialists trained to assist a range of disability issues, including learning disabilities, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, blind and visual disabilities, mobility disabilities, psychiatric disorders and brain injuries, and deaf and hard of hearing disabilities. OPHS (DRC) specialists can also refer clients for services not provided by the office, including personal care attendants and other services.
The OPHS (DRC) also boasts a state-of-the-art adaptive technology center, enabling persons with disabilities to gain access to today's information technology. A range of software and hardware, including screen readers, adjustable workstations and Braille machinery, provides students and employees with access to the Internet, various word processing programs and MSU's PILOT e-mail system. The OPHS (DRC) Adaptive Technology Center is located in 150 Bessey Hall.
Finally, in addition to being a resource for accessibility issues, the unit serves as an important link to other support groups on campus and around the state. The OPHS (DRC) also houses the Tower Guard, an honorary service organization. Approximately 80 MSU sophomores are chosen each year to join the organization. Their main function is to devote at least four hours a week reading textbooks for people who have print disabilities.
Students interested in receiving assistance from the OPHS (DRC) must register with the office and receive a needs assessment from one of the unit's specialists. MSU employees should work directly with their major administrative unit supervisor to coordinate accessibility accommodations.
For more information, contact the OPHS (DRC) at 517-353-9642, or 517-355-1293 (TTY). Or, visit the OPHS (DRC) web site at http://www.msu.edu/unit/ophs/.
Lesbian/Bi/Gay Students are served through a staff office and a student organization. A Lesbian/Bi/Gay Coordinator works within the Multicultural Development unit in the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs and Services. The coordinator provides assistance and support to individual students, consults with lesbian/bi/gay student groups and organizations, and works with other staff to enhance the environment for lesbian/bi/gay students. The office is located in 101 Student Services, 355-8286.
The Alliance of Lesbian-Bi-Gay Students (ALBGS) provides representation in student government and seeks to educate the public on lesbian, bi-sexual, and gay issues. ALBGS provides support groups, speakers/discussions, and social activities. Volunteers staff an office in 442 MSU Union, 353-9795.
The Child and Family Care Resources Program (CFCR) coordinates information, resources and University initiatives to assist student-parents and students managing the care of dependent elders. Students may contact the CFCR coordinator at 432-3745, ext. 146 for information about programs and services, including the following:
Veterans may be certified for benefits through the Veterans' Certification Office, 190 Administration, 355-5032. Educational/vocational counseling for veterans and eligible dependents is through the Ingham County Veteran's Affairs Office, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing, 887-4331.
A Women's Resource Center (WRC) serves the interests of women students, faculty and staff with information, consultation, programs and a monthly newsletter, "Wisdom, Words, and Women." Located in 332 MSU Union, 353-1635; e-mail: wrc02@msu.edu.
The ASMSU Women's Council represents women students within student government and sponsors programs throughout the year. Located in 329 MSU Union, 353-5255. Women students also comprise the Women's Advisory Committee to the Vice President for Student Affairs and Services, and serve on the Women's Advisory Committee to the Provost.
MSU Safe Place works with relationship violence and is described in the section on "personal security."