Welcome to the Web site for the MSU Office for Inclusion and Intercultural Initiatives. I3 in its dedication to fostering a diverse community exemplifies the university's core values of quality, connectivity, and inclusiveness. The office encourages and coordinates inclusive endeavors across the university. This work takes a variety of forms, including, programming, educational and development opportunities, community building, support of other campus inclusion and diversity resources, ensuring institutional equity, and the support of research and assessment resources regarding inclusion.
The 2007-2008 academic year, was a year of new challenges, but exciting opportunities for advancing diversity and inclusion at MSU. We are thrilled about the success of our 28th Annual Commemorative Celebration of the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The 2008 theme "Exploring Civil Rights through Arts and Culture," coincided with MSU's "Year of Arts and Culture." The commemorative celebration theme reflected our continued commitment to building and sustaining an inclusive community. In his 1961 commencement address to Lincoln University in Pennsylvania, Dr. King remarked, "I think all of us must develop a world perspective if we are to survive.... Through our scientific genius we have made this world a neighborhood." He goes on to warn us about this genius, and urges us not to let our modern civilization "outdistance our culture." He says, "Culture is that realm of ends expressed in art, literature, religion and morals for which at best we live." Like any neighborhood, there are different languages, perspectives and overall, cultures. One way in which we go about understanding each other is through our own human creativity and expression of self. The arts in its variety of forms, have allowed for people world-wide to understand what it means to dedicate one's life to social justice, and envision a better world.
In addition to the Commemorative Celebration of the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we sponsored other events and initiatives, such as the Excellence in Diversity Awards, and awarding faculty, staff, and students Inclusive Excellence Grants. Please visit the Web sites to learn more about these wonderful opportunities available to the campus community. Also please look out for the many opportunities to participate in instructional and recreational programs, productions, symposiums and conferences on campus that exemplify the diversity of the Spartan experience.
The 2008-2009 year promises to be one of growth both individually and as a collective. From Land Grant to World Grant we are making great strides in the area of inclusion, and I welcome and encourage you all to join us.