Editor’s Note: This article was originally published by the College Fix on March 19, 2025. With edits to match MTC’s style guidelines, it is cross-posted here with permission.
Michigan State University (MSU) recently opened a $38 million Multicultural Center to act as a “sanctuary” for “minorities” with rooms designated for “diversity, equity, and inclusion” (DEI) student groups.
An education expert told the College Fix the center could violate President Donald Trump’s recent executive order banning DEI initiatives in federally funded institutions.
“The MSU Multicultural Center (MCC), guided by a student-developed mission, aims to provide a supportive space for students from historically oppressed backgrounds to learn, grow, and access the resources necessary to succeed and graduate from a predominantly white institution,” the room reservation page for the center states.
Further, “the building will be a sanctuary for all minorities at MSU,” the center’s feasibility report states. It will also allow “an opportunity for others to acknowledge the past, learn about who we are today, and grow by not fearing what they don’t understand or haven’t had the chance to experience.”
The Fix asked MSU how it determines which groups are “historically oppressed” and if it excludes others from participating.
“The MCC allows everyone to acknowledge the past, learn about who we are today, and grow by not fearing what they don’t understand or haven’t had the chance to experience,” spokesperson Mark Bullion told the Fix via email. “This building truly exemplifies our Spartan values of collaboration, equity, and respect.”
However, a research fellow with a higher education reform group warned of potential legal troubles.
“The Multicultural Center could potentially come into conflict with Trump’s Executive Order, as well as the recent Dear Colleague Letter from the Department of Education, if the Center engages in racially discriminatory practices, such as limiting scholarships, positions such as postdoctoral fellowships, and programs based on race,” Louis Galarowicz with the National Association of Scholars told the Fix via email.
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In addition to the recent executive order banning DEI practices, the U.S. Department of Education issued a “Dear Colleague letter,” threatening to cut federal funds from universities with such programs.
“The National Association of Scholars thinks the elimination of race-conscious, often race-exclusionary, programming and hiring from our universities is a step in the right direction for our universities,” Galarowicz said.
While the center allows any MSU-affiliated individual to reserve rooms for a variety of events, it also “has rooms specifically reserved for student organizations geared toward students of a protected racial identity,” the Lansing State Journal reported.
Providing context for the creation of the center, the report also states the social and political landscape has transformed significantly in recent years, and the campus community “has experienced events beyond what we could have ever imagined — from the coronavirus pandemic to insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.”
“These events have left many Spartans, especially historically marginalized and excluded students who have borne a disproportionate impact, feeling deeply unsettled,” it states.
During a ribbon cutting ceremony last month, President Kevin Guskiewicz said the building is a result “of Spartan advocacy over decades, and of the commitment of this university of forging a community that is welcome, safe and inclusive for all,” the State News reported.
“Unlike other buildings, it will also offer a group meditation and reflection room, along with two personal health rooms available on demand for people to cleanse themselves before private prayer, meditation or other personal needs — no reservations needed,” the outlet reported.
The school’s website further underscores its commitment to being a “national leader in increasing diversity, promoting inclusion, ensuring equity and eliminating disparities.” It includes a “DEI scorecard” which tracks the school’s “progress on advancing diversity, equity and inclusion strategic priorities.”
What’s more, the university has a 2030 Strategic Plan that focuses on improving student graduation rates, particularly for certain racial groups.
However, General Counsel Brian Quinn sent an email to university leaders last month warning that government agencies have started requiring certification that the university does not run any DEI programs in order to receive federal funding, The State News reported.
“Now is a prudent time to review programs and activities under your purview to confirm compliance with anti-discrimination laws and MSU’s existing policy, in particular any efforts that may be focused on (or appear to focus on) individuals based on a protected identity,” Quinn stated.
Image: “Welcome to Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan” by Ken Lund on Flickr