Goal: Increase the campus community’s and general public’s appreciation for the value of diversity at Montana State University through active communication.

Diversity and Inclusion Framework Report, 2017

1. ASMSU Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee 

This year, the Associated Students of Montana State University (ASMSU) established a permanent student-led Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee (DEIC) to advise ASMSU leaders on DEI initiatives, services, and student experiences on campus. ASMSU and the Office of Student Engagement (OSE) are committed to elevating the voices of diverse students and organizations on campus and to creating inclusive spaces through programming and best practices. 

In response to the BIPOC Action Plan, ASMSU collaborated with students and community leaders to establish a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee as an official ASMSU advisory committee which will conduct monthly meetings and open forums during the spring and fall semesters. Members of the committee will discuss items from the MSU Diversity Council’s upcoming agenda to provide student perspectives and advice on policy, programming, and services. This committee will gather student feedback, provide opportunities for students to discuss and problem solve, provide outreach on DEI initiatives and services, and collaborate with ASMSU and OSE programs to design, facilitate, and evaluate ASMSU and OSE programs and activities with a DEI lens.

 

Survey Results
 

88% of MSU students agree/strongly agree that the university promotes the appreciation of cultural differences. (MSU campus climate survey, 2018).

 

Students Speak
 

75% of students agree/strongly agree that the university has a long-standing commitment to diversity. (MSU campus climate survey, 2018).

 

 

Feature: American Indian Hall

 

In keeping with MSU’s land-grant mission, Montana State University launched an ambitious project more than 15 years ago: to work toward the design, planning and construction of a home for the university’s growing American Indian student community. Now, that vision has become a reality as MSU celebrated the grand opening of its $20 million American Indian Hall in October 2021. 

Incorporating architectural concepts by MSU alumnus Dennis Sun Rhodes of the Northern Arapaho, the building and grounds have been guided by MSU’s Council of Elders, MSU’s Department of Native American Studies, the American Indian Council, MSU’s partners at the seven tribal colleges in Montana, the Associated Students of MSU and tribal elders from around the region, among other collaborators. 

Boasting enough classroom space for 140 students, the new facility will serve as a bridge between American Indian and other cultures on campus. Notable features include a gathering room and dedicated spaces for tutoring, counseling, studying, mentoring, and collaboration. In addition to offices for the Department of Native American Studies and the office of American Indian/Alaskan Native Student Success Services, the hall includes a drum room, student commons with a kitchen, childcare area, library, computer lab and study carrels, and space for elders to provide counsel.

Students enter American Indian Hall

MSU hosts the grand opening of the American Indian Hall with dignitaries, Native American dancers, students, and community members, and supporters October 2021.

 

Learn more about MSU's American Indian Hall.