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NMU commits to improved social justice

MARQUETTE, MI--  The following is from Northern Michigan University President Fritz Erickson:

NMU Students, Faculty and Staff,

While dealing with the pandemic dominated our focus this summer, it did not halt all other strategic endeavors.  Over the next few weeks, I plan to highlight some of this work as well, starting today with the restructuring of our diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.  As I have mentioned several times, Northern is committed to being a part of the national movement for improved social justice here on campus, in our local community and globally.

I have asked Dr. Jessica Cruz, NMU’s chief diversity and inclusion officer, to consider what changes to our Diversity and Inclusion Office and the programs and services it oversees should be made to take Northern to a new level of social justice engagement. I am also aware of several new ideas proposed around social justice and civic engagement explored as part of our design thinking exercises. Now is a great time to revisit those more in depth as well.

Under Dr. Cruz’s leadership, Northern’s campus cultural center will be restructured using a five-point framework informed by best practices that includes:

·       Cultural education

·       Social engagement

·       Student development

·       Community building

·       Environment enrichment

Northern will also continue to expand the Diversity Student Alliance as a way to make sure student voices are heard at NMU. Additionally, Northern will continue to ask many groups and departments across campus to participate in strategizing about this restructuring so that ideas from as many perspectives as possible are considered and included in our planning.

And, of course, there will be many events this academic year (most being held virtually) that allow us to examine and discuss the complicated and painful elements of systemic inequity, including two year- round initiatives: The Diversity Common Reader Project and the UNITED (Uniting Neighbors In The Experience of Diversity) Conference. Watch for more details. 

We also want to recognize Shirley Brozzo, long-time associate director of the Multicultural Education and Resource Center (MERC), who is retiring. We thank Shirley for her many years of service to NMU and for laying the foundation upon which we will build our new plans.

I encourage everyone at Northern to think about what role you can take on to advance our efforts toward a more socially just world and then take action to bring about positive change.

Fritz Erickson, NMU President

Nicole was born near Detroit but has lived in the U.P. most of her life. She graduated from Marquette Senior High School and attended Michigan State and Northern Michigan Universities, graduating from NMU in 1993 with a degree in English.