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MSU celebrates long-awaited Multicultural Center with ribbon cutting ceremony
Last Friday afternoon, Michigan State University celebrated a historic moment decades in the making: the grand opening of its new Multicultural Center.
The 34,000-square-foot building marks the culmination of years of advocacy from students, alumni, faculty, and staff, all pushing for better ethnic and minority representation on campus. This is a dream that started in the 1960s and has finally become a reality.
During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, MSU leaders reflected on the journey to this moment. Board Chair Kelly Tebay highlighted the impact of student leaders who fought for this center. “Let this symbolize a future where every Spartan feels at home,” she said.
MSU President Kevin Guskiewicz called those who made the center possible “game-changers,” emphasizing that this new space is a symbol of the university’s commitment to inclusivity and a thriving community for all students.
The Multicultural Center is more than just a building. Located at the heart of campus, it offers spaces for collaboration, relaxation, and reflection, including conference rooms, a community kitchen, and even rooms for meditation and personal prayer.
This new chapter signals a bright future for MSU, one where diversity and inclusion are front and center.
MSU doubles down on DEI defense amid Trump administration hostility
During Friday’s board meeting, Michigan State University President Kevin Guskiewicz highlighted the importance of the university’s diverse community, emphasizing that international students contribute valuable perspectives to MSU’s cultural fabric. He reaffirmed the university’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, a theme that has long been a focal point at board meetings.
However, Guskiewicz’s remarks took on added significance given what he described as a “changing federal landscape” under the Trump administration, particularly with executive orders targeting DEI programs across the country. This tension was made evident when MSU recently canceled a DEI policy panel and a Lunar New Year event, citing concerns about these federal measures. The university later apologized for the cancellations, acknowledging them as an overreaction.
Despite this uncertainty, Guskiewicz and other university leaders reinforced MSU’s dedication to DEI. Board Chair Kelly Tebay assured that the canceled events would be rescheduled, and Trustee Rema Vassar reiterated the university’s commitment to providing inclusive spaces for all students, especially those from marginalized backgrounds.
After the meeting, Guskiewicz shared that he had been meeting with Michigan’s congressional leaders to discuss defending DEI programs against the federal push to dismantle them, stressing that MSU would continue to be an inclusive community.
Board members also voiced concerns about the impact of Trump’s executive orders on federal research funding, with faculty liaison Angela Wilson specifically addressing the uncertainty these directives have caused for researchers. This includes the recent shakeup at USAID, a crucial agency for international development, which has already affected MSU’s projects, such as a significant grant for educational initiatives in Malawi.
In the face of these challenges, MSU leaders remain steadfast in their commitment to diversity, inclusion, and the continued support of their academic community.
MSU board approves more Spartan Stadium renovations, nixes IM West demolition vote
In a meeting last week, Michigan State University’s Board of Trustees approved a series of campus upgrades, including renovations to Spartan Stadium’s fundraising offices, infrastructure changes to Farm Lane, and the ongoing upgrades to the campus tennis facility.
One major decision was put on hold, however–the scheduled vote on demolishing the IM West building, MSU’s oldest gym, has been delayed for now. This space will soon be replaced by the new Student Recreation and Wellness Center currently under construction.
As for the stadium, the board approved renovations to the second and third floors of the Spartan Stadium Tower. The upgrades aim to enhance the university’s fundraising efforts, consolidating office spaces, adding new restrooms and health rooms, and creating a better environment for donor events.
The tennis facility is also set for a significant overhaul. A donation will fund the project, which will provide a dedicated building with locker rooms and restrooms for the tennis program. The outdoor courts will be rebuilt, and new spectator areas will be added.
Finally, Farm Lane will see improvements to enhance safety, add bike lanes, and upgrade the utility infrastructure, all in time for the new Plant and Environmental Science building set to open in 2026.
These projects reflect MSU’s ongoing investment in campus growth and student experience.
Based on original reporting by Somer Sodeman, Emilio Perez Ibarguen and Owen McCarthy.
