Page 36 - BEQ Magazine Iss 20 Fall 2021 WebRev09272021

EQUITABLE FUTURES

EASTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSIT Y
A Pipeline for

Future Equity

J ay Sloan (they/them) didn’t really know what they “That was a huge choice — is a huge choice — in my

decision-making, and I think it is for most queer stu-
wanted to do when they went to college. While they
dents in high school. There are many high schoolers
had applied to some schools and knew they would
who are just craving a space where they feel sup-
have some success, they hadn’t felt truly accepted or welcome ported and comforted and affirmed and welcome.”
anywhere and didn’t have a top choice. For queer students at Eastern Michigan Univer-
sity, that space is the LGBT Resource Center.
And then Eastern Michigan University came to visit their Grand Rapids, Designed as a safe haven to cultivate support and
Mich. high school. offer resources to both on- and off-campus students,
“I was like, ‘this is the school that I have to go to,’” they said. “I was like, the Center is the place where LGBTQ folks know
‘This is the school I need to be at.’ There was this very strong pull to be there. they belong. Students can apply for scholarships,
I felt like Eastern ticked all those boxes.” receive assistance in updating their records with a
preferred name, find LGBTQ-inclusive housing and
Eastern Michigan University touts itself as one of find a number of programs and support groups.
the most diverse public universities in Michigan and “I think one of the biggest pieces around diversity
boasts the highest percentage of Black and Hispanic and belonging and inclusion at college campuses
students. The commitment to diversity has been that our center works towards is that queerness and
built over the course of decades as the university transness, they’re not identities that you can look
recognized the success of its students hinged on “a at somebody and know,” said Amy Finkenbine (she/
diverse, equitable learning and teaching platform.” they), LGBT Resource Center coordinator. “A lot of
A queer Black person of color longing for a space students on campus who belong to intersectional
that felt welcoming and safe, Sloan said the univer- identities, you can look around and see, ‘Do I look
sity’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion like I belong in this room or not?’ And so our students
seemed to extend beyond what many higher educa- sometimes struggle to meet other LGBTQ folks.”
tion institutions offer. The Center is ever-evolving and always receptive
JAY SLOAN, “Eastern was listed in a lot of different places to student needs, including how the needs of the
Eastern as being a campus [that was] really safe for queer BlPOC trans community may vary from those of
Michigan other trans communities.
University people and a campus that was dedicated to making
student . | space specifically for queer people,” Sloan said. “We try to center other identities and put them
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36 FALL 2021 BUSINESSEQUALITYMAGAZINE.COM