Culture, Climate and Community in the MSU College of Music
The College of Music at Michigan State University is committed to fostering an inclusive learning environment by addressing social and cultural issues through collaboration among students, staff, faculty, and leadership. This work emphasizes dialogue, listening, education, and engagement to support a diverse community, promote belonging, and ensure equitable opportunities for success. Participation is open to all who wish to contribute to ongoing activities and initiatives.
Culture, Climate, and Community Student Representation
The MSU College of Music’s Culture, Climate, and Community initiative includes student representation through a dedicated committee on which undergraduate and graduate students serve, offering perspectives, communicating concerns, and advocating for the needs of the student body. See details below under Committee Representation and Role.
Application for Fall 2026 Student Representation
Apply for the Culture, Climate and Community Committee See details below, apply by Thursday, March 19, 5 PM
The Culture, Climate, and Community (CCC) Committee is seeking one undergraduate and one graduate student to serve as student representatives beginning in the Fall 2026 semester.
The CCC Committee works to strengthen a positive, inclusive learning environment within the College of Music by fostering dialogue, engagement, and collaboration among students, faculty, staff, and leadership. Student representatives play an important role in sharing perspectives, raising concerns, and helping shape initiatives that impact the College community.
Responsibilities include:
- Attending CCC Committee meetings
- Communicating effectively with the committee chair
- Gathering input and concerns from fellow students
- Advocating for student needs and interests
Students must have completed at least one semester of coursework at MSU to be eligible.
Student representatives are selected through the College’s standard committee nomination and voting process.
Application for Fall 2026 Student Representation
Apply for the Culture, Climate and Community Committee Apply by Thursday, March 19, 5 PM
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.
In its role as a connection between music students and College leadership, the Student Advisory Council seeks one undergraduate and one graduate to serve as student representatives on the Culture, Climate and Community Committee.
The ideal representatives will:
- Attending CCC Committee meetings
- Communicating effectively with the committee chair
- Gathering input and concerns from fellow students
- Advocating for student needs and interests
Notice of nomination opportunities will be shared by the Music Student Advisory Council as needed. Questions may be directed to Dr. Marcie Ray, chair of the Culture, Climate and Community Committee or Michael Parker, chair of the Student Advisory Council.
This committee is open to all individuals and provides equal opportunity to participate or apply.
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.