The following message was sent to students on August 23, 2024. It is published here for your convenience. A slightly edited version was shared with first-year and transfer students with additional resources specific to the new student experience.
Welcome home, U-M Student!
We are so glad that you are a part of our Michigan community.
At the University of Michigan, we strive to create a campus environment where everyone feels welcome, safe, and empowered to live, work, and learn. We seek to create a place where our discussions are inclusive and welcoming to differing viewpoints. This challenges our way of thinking and helps us grow.
We expect you, as one of the Leaders and Best, to actively participate in fostering a safe and inclusive community. The university upholds the First Amendment and has long welcomed protest and dissent. However, one person’s right to protest must not infringe on the rights of others, endanger our community, or disrupt the operations of the university.
This campus is home to tens of thousands of students like you and not like you. As you have throughout your academic career, you will encounter opportunities for debate, respectful disagreement, and dialogue across differences. Some will be formal events as part of the Year of Democracy, Civic Empowerment, and Global Engagement; others will occur naturally when you step outside your comfort zone and engage with other students. All will be important pathways to growth.
What remains the same for each student at U-M is why you are here: to acquire both a degree and an education. And you have access to programs and resources to support you in this journey.
Go Beyond the Classroom
- Explore dialogue across differences with the Program on Intergroup Relations, leadership opportunities with M-LEAD, and positive social change with the Ginsberg Center
- Locate internships, job prep resources, and much more at the University Career Center
- Find services for international students and opportunities to study abroad at the International Center
Get Active and Stay Well
- Bring your friends to one of our Recreational Sports facilities
- Join an intramural team, club sport, or adaptive sports team
- Connect with on-campus counselors, wellness coaches, and doctors
Act with Civility and Respect
- Read and understand the Statement of Student Rights and Responsibilities (SSRR), which outlines standards of conduct and procedures for sanctioning violations, and recognize that the university will hold individuals accountable and will enforce policies to support a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for all
- Expect to confront ideas different than your own and review our Principles of Diversity of Thought and Freedom of Expression, which detail our commitment to supporting diverse ideas and constructive engagement across a spectrum of viewpoints
- Understand policies that govern the Diag and how to reserve space; and know that enclosed tents and encampments are prohibited – as the Diag is the heart of our campus and must remain open and accessible to all
- Know that the university is reviewing policies and developing new ones to address situations where an individual’s acts or speech could create a hostile environment for others
- Where the university finds a hostile environment has been created, it will continue to offer support, including counseling, facilitated dialogues, conflict coaching, and safety resources as appropriate
Report Disruptions, Discrimination, and Safety Concerns
- Realize that protest must not disrupt the operations of the university. If you witness a disruption, you can text or call 911.
- Know that harassment or discrimination should be reported to the Equity, Civil Rights and Title IX Office at 734-763-0235 or [email protected]
- For safety concerns, contact the Division of Public Safety and Security (DPSS) at 734-763-1131, the DPSS website, or [email protected]
- In an emergency, call 911
The programs, policies, and resources above are part of what keeps our community safe, welcoming, and inclusive to all. We are excited for all that you will contribute to this vibrant campus and equally thrilled for the experiences and growth that await you at Michigan this academic year.
Remember that you are not alone in this remarkable adventure; the entire U-M community, including faculty, staff, and your fellow students, is here to support and encourage you.
You belong here.
Go Blue!
Martino Harmon, Ph.D.
Vice President for Student Life
University of Michigan