Academic

  • The Career Center
    The Career Center hosts a myriad of recruitment fairs for companies that seek to employ Black/African-Americans, and is a useful place for resources about finding internships, jobs, applying to graduate school and career counseling and advising.
  • Center for Afro-American Studies (CAAS)
    CAAS is an academic department in the areas of African, African-American and Afro-Caribbean Studies, covering the study of people and cultures of the Diaspora. At CAAS, students of African descent can meet and find support from Black faculty and take classes across departments that intersect with CAAS, including history, sociology, psychology and economics, to name a few. CAAS co-sponsors events for students of African descent in conjunction with various offices around campus, during and beyond Black History Month. The CAAS library is a great place to study and become more knowledgeable about the Black experience at U of M, and become more acquainted with Black history and culture. There are also great opportunities to apply to study abroad in Africa through CAAS.
  • Comprehensive Studies Program (CSP)
    Did you know that ANY student can affiliate with CSP to take advantage of FREE tutoring services? There is a range of programs available to assist in student success; these services are not just for Bridge students. Take your sib to the office to learn more about the opportunities to brush up on study skills in a welcoming and nurturing academic environment.
  • Sweetland Writing Center
    SWC provides free tutoring in writing, as well as a variety of writing courses and support for undergraduates. Don’t be fooled: you don’t need to have poor writing skills to use the Center. You can also make appointments to get help with brainstorming, organization and editing with the professionals there. The website also has many helpful links to handouts and writing resources. Avoid last-minute panic by scheduling appointments early to guarantee success and improvement in your writing.

Advocacy and Support

  • Office of Student Conflict Resolution (OSCR)
    OSCR works to assist members of the University community who feel their rights have been violated. The office provides mediation and facilitated discussion, protects students’ rights to confidentiality and advises students about their options for resolving conflict. This is a good place to refer students who may have experienced victimization and have difficulties articulating their needs.
  • Office of the Ombudsman
    If a student needs to talk to someone in a confidential, respectful, informal and safe environment, the Ombuds office is a great reference, especially for mentors, who should not feel as if they need to have all the answers. The ombudsman can lighten that burden by helping your sib understand his/her rights, explore options for problem resolution and get needed referrals. The office remains neutral and impartial, seeking fairness for all sides in disputes.
  • Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Center (SAPAC)
    SAPAC is committed to providing educational and support services related to sexual assault, dating/domestic violence, sexual harassment and stalking. The center provides advocacy support and crisis intervention, as well as education and training for the entire University community. SAPAC is a great place to educate your sib about what s/he can do to reduce the occurrence of sexual assault in the community, and learn tips for his/her own safety.
  • Student Legal Services
    SLS us a full-service law office available to currently enrolled students at U of M, staffed by four licensed attorneys (in the state of Michigan and US District Court and Sixth Circuit court of appeals). Their areas of practice include landlord/tenant disputes, criminal defense, family law, employment grievances, collection and more. Services are funded through a student fee you pay at the time of enrollment, and there are no additional fees charged for the services of the attorneys. Learn and protect your rights as students and members of the U of M community.
  • Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender Affairs (LGBTA)
    The office of LGBTA provides a range of education, information and advocacy services, designed to create and maintain a safe and inclusive environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students, faculty, staff, their family and friends, and the campus community at large. The office is a place where students can broaden their perspective and network, learn about job opportunities, housing openings and receive information about group meetings. LGBTA also offers advice and consulting for organizations, crisis intervention and informal counseling. All are welcome; you don’t have to be LGB or T to utilize the office.

Community Service/Social Justice

  • Ginsberg Center for Community Service & Learning
    If your sib shows an interest in community service, Ginsberg is a great place to begin to get involved. Even if s/he is reluctant to act on his or her interest, you can find a time to go to the center together and learn about opportunities to do meaningful work in the local community. Ginsberg is a great way to expose your sib to the world outside of the University in a productive, educational environment.
  • Intergroup Relations (IGR)
    IGR is a social justice education program that is a joint venture of the College of Literature, Science, and Arts and the Division of Student Affairs. The program works proactively to promote understanding of intergroup relations inside and outside of the classroom, offering peer-facilitated dialogues for students from different social identities and various courses over the year. Participating in IGR is a good way to begin to build a network beyond your own identity group.

Health

  • Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
    CAPS provides support for students in a comfortable, open, nonjudgmental and confidential setting. The staff includes a number of professionals of color who specialize in helping to create safe spaces for students of African descent, and has support groups to facilitate discussions of a range of concerns and issues. Encourage a student who may indicate s/he is grappling with any issues, questions or life decisions to take advantage of this FREE service—it’s about keeping your community healthy
  • Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD)
    This office offers free, selected student services that assist students in negotiating disability-related barriers to the pursuit of their education. Dedicated to improving access to University programs, activities and facilities for students with disabilities, SSD is a great resource and reference.

Making It

  • Office of Multi-Ethnic Student Affairs (MESA) and William Monroe Trotter Multicultural Center
    MESA (2202 Michigan Union) is dedicated to building relationships with students through group and individual advising, program development, mentorship and collaborations with student organizations, staff, faculty and the community beyond the University. Some of the events and services include the Annual Dance for Mother Earth Powwow, the Ujima retreat, funding for conference travel, the ALMA program and co-sponsorship for various heritage month events. If your sib is curious about the existing student-run groups of color, needs a break to check email and socialize, or wants to assist in the planning of an event or program, MESA is a good place to connect with others, find resources and receive guidance. Trotter Multicultural Center (1443 Washtenaw Ave) offers educational programming and support, houses several student-run organization offices and hosts a myriad of campus events during the year.
  • Student Activities & Leadership (SAL)
    SAL is a resource specifically designed to make the most of all students’ co-curricular experiences. Through leadership training and education, SAL provides support to student-run groups and resources about event planning, budgeting, successful meetings and student relationships. There is a myriad of free aids in the office that anyone can take advantage of. SAL also provides Leadershape, a summer leadership development retreat, as well as other initiatives throughout the year.
  • Minority Peer Advisor (MPA)
    If you live in a res hall, you probably know or have heard MPAs mentioned. Who are they? They’re trained student staff who assists in advising and counseling responsibilities related to retention and support of students of color. If becoming an MPA is of interest to your sib, encourage him/her to begin to build experience through working with students of color and student organizations in order to qualify for the position. MPAs have an opportunity to assist in the education of students and staff to promote diversity and plan and implement cultural programs each month as part of their responsibilities. An added bonus: they’ll have a chance to receive free room and board, cable and a cash stipend!
  • Office of Academic Multicultural Initiatives (OAMI)
    OAMI offers various multicultural programs for the University as a whole, in addition to student-focused initiatives, which include pre-college programs, Black Celebratory and La Celebración Latina, leadership development and opportunities to receive funding support for programs. OAMI is also a good place to find meaningful, rewarding internships and employment—for example, the King, Chavez, Parks initiative for high school students is a summer program that provides opportunities for college students of color to mentor youth in underrepresented communities.
  • International Center
    If your sib is an international student, there are a variety of services here that can assist him or her in becoming acclimated to life at U of M, particularly with regard to student organizations, health insurance, legal information, FAQs for new students, events and announcements. Whether or not your sib is an international student, s/he can visit the office or the website to learn about study and work abroad, and U-M Peace Corps opportunities.