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Giving & Alumni
College of Music
Giving & Alumni
College of Music

Student Resources

Faculty/Staff Resources

Culture, Climate and Community in the MSU College of Music

The College of Music at Michigan State University is committed to heightening awareness of social and cultural issues that affect our learning environment. Achieved through cooperative efforts between students, staff, faculty and leadership, our work in this area uses diverse strategies including a culture of inclusive dialogue, listening, education, engagement, and action. We strive to provide opportunities to empower engagement throughout our community and facilitate conversations on a variety of complex topics. Ultimately, our goal is to promote belonging, support our diverse community, and ensure that everyone is given equal opportunities to succeed. Participation is open to all and provides equal opportunity for anyone interested in ongoing activities and planning.

This reading list was created at the request of music students seeking to learn more about the role of race and racism. In response, the College gathered input from faculty, staff, and students to compile this suggested list of resources. These materials are available for anyone wishing to explore these topics further. If you would like to suggest an additional resource, please contact representatives of the Culture, Climate, and Community Committee.

White Fragility
Robin Diangelo

I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness
Austin Channing Brown

Stamped from the Beginning
Ibram X Kendi

A People’s History of the United States
Howard Zinn
“Young people’s” version available for elementary and middle school readers.

The Warmth of Other Suns
Isabel Wilkerson

The Fire Next Time
James Baldwin

Between the World and Me
Ta-Nehisi Coates

Democracy in Black
Eddie S. Glaude, Jr.

White Rage
Carol Anderson

All students, faculty and staff of the MSU College of Music are invited to participate in workshops and listening sessions to learn more about the University’s initiatives to promote an environment of respect for all Spartans.

Workshops

Examining Implicit Bias. A series of workshops designed to examine implicit bias and begin the work of interrupting personal and embedded biases within our culture.

Listening Sessions

Exploring Diversity. Join us, offer your perspective, and listen to others as together we discover the many ways we can build unity and understanding through music, culture, and beyond.

Working groups led by students, staff and faculty have devised strategies for listening and learning sessions that are designed to build upon MSU’s overarching vision of a diverse and inclusive university.

Joint Studios

A master class featuring artists from various cultural backgrounds and disciplines bringing together Jazz and Classical studios.

Participation

Participation is open to all and provides equal opportunity for anyone interested in ongoing activities and planning.

Culture, Climate, and Community committee members are chosen through the same process as all other committees in the college using nomination and voting procedures. The original committee previously provided the college with a list of recommendations. Participation is open to all members of the music community.

See Faculty Governance

Diversity and Inclusion at MSU

Learn more about what MSU is doing to build a more supportive and inclusive environment