Grand Valley State University Announces They Are Hosting Separate Graduation "Celebrations" for Minority Students
In an email circulating on social media from Grand Valley State University’s Office of Multicultural Affairs, they informed their student body that they would be hosting “five unique” graduation celebrations to honor their “diverse graduates.”
The email stated that the additional celebrations would complement the university commencement ceremonies and would include the following segregated groups:
Asian
Black
Latino/a/x
Lavender (Celebrating LGBTQIA+)
Native America
The email stated that the segregated events “provide more intimate settings for students to share their personal milestones with their communities and uplift the generation of graduates.”
Breaking 911 tweeted out a screenshot of the school email, it is embedded below.
Grand Valley State University is one of the largest public colleges in the state of Michigan with over 25,000 students enrolled and has a reputation across the state as being a party school. The state university has an acceptance rate over 80%.
The email sent from the office of multicultural affairs did not specify whether there would be more intimate celebration opportunities presented for their white graduates as well.
In recent years, hosting segregated graduation ceremonies and supplemental celebrations by race and sexual orientation has become more common.
Do you think it is appropriate for Grand Valley State University to host 5 separate graduation celebrations for their minority students? Do you think these policies are racist? Comment your thoughts below!