Social Justice Center overview

Grand Valley State University encourages the campus to embrace a social justice and intersectional identity approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion work. Get connected through each center's programming. 


Land Acknowledgement

The Social Justice Centers collaborates with partners across the university and beyond to cultivate a campus community in which historically oppressed communities can succeed and thrive at GVSU. We work to ensure that students, faculty, and staff can find a deep sense of belonging on our campus. In our work, we center those who are oppressed including Indigenous people. We are committed to unlearning settler colonial frameworks and learning wise practices that center Indigenous knowledge and culture. We are committed to allocating resources, both financial and staff / student positions, for Indigenous programming, furthering Indigenous student support, fostering community partnerships, and developing intersectional events that cultivate Indigenous allyship. 

Today, we would like to recognize the People of the Three Fires: the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Bodawademi peoples on whose land we are gathered on today. The Three Fires People are Indigenous to this land which means that this is their ancestral territory. Every university in this country was built on Indigenous land. We conduct land acknowledgments as a reminder of the histories, teachings, traditions, and the first people who originated here and who tend to Mshkiikii (land/earth) always.

We conduct these acknowledgments to be good visitors, as these were always done before colonial contact.  To continue to be good visitors, we have the responsibility to learn about the history of settler colonialism and its impact on Indigenous people. 

Visit the Land Acknowledge page at the Office of Multicultural Affair's website for more information and resources.


Events

Social Justice Centers Fall Outing

October 11, 2024 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Enjoy a fun fall outing to Post Family Farms on Friday, October 11 from 11am-3pm. Transportation provided to Post Family Farms

QueeraPOOLooza: Spooky Pool Party!

October 18, 2024 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

Join us for our bi-annual pool party, Halloween edition! There will be games, crafts, food, and more! Wear what you feel comfortable with for swimming, as long as it is a water-safe material. There...

Unnatural Causes

October 24, 2024 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Unnatural Causes is a documentary series that explores the effects of social factors on health and health care in the United States. It focuses specifically on race, socioeconomic standing, geography,...

NIARA Table Talk

November 7, 2024 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM

Monthly engagement opportunities are scheduled to allow students to come together to curate a safe space for an open forum on various guided discussions and to ultimately provide a collective community...

Teach-In INT 100/201 APPROVED

November 13, 2024 10:30 AM - 8:00 PM

GVSU's Teach-In is mutual education for the entire campus community, intended to address topics related to inequality and systems of oppression, as well as social justice and liberation. The...

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Give Today

Supports the Gayle R. Davis Center for Women and Gender Equity to raise awareness about issues that affect women and gender justice.

Give Today

This fund provides direct support of LGBT Resource Center programs and services.

Give Today

This fund provides general support for student veterans including peer advising, support, and transitioning support.

Give Today

This fund is designed to assist the Office of Multicultural Affairs in developing programs.

GVNext News

Members of student group Monarcas perform a dance together.

Students celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month through dance, community

Meet the members of Monarcas, a student group that celebrates Hispanic culture through dance.

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Tech Week GR: 'Show Her the Money' screening tells the story of women entrepreneurs

The screening was followed by a panel discussion with President Mantella and other female business leaders.

Sep 18, 2024

students sit in circle, Native banner with feathers at right

Native American Heritage Fund grant creates GVSU pilot program to embed Indigenous knowledge into courses

The program includes bringing in community Indigenous knowledge keepers to collaborate and co-teach with faculty members.

Sep 17, 2024

A person with an American flag on their sleeve holds books.

GVSU recognized as top veteran-friendly school in Michigan

Grand Valley receives gold status by the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency.

Sep 12, 2024

incoming students stand on football field, creating GVSU for a drone photo

Campus comes alive: GVSU move-in 2024

After a quiet summer, Grand Valley's campuses were bursting with life once again as new and returning Lakers moved into living centers, preparing for the 2024-25 year.

Aug 29, 2024

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Page last modified September 17, 2024