Overview

The President’s Multicultural Student Advisory Committee (PMSAC) is a committee charged by the President of Colorado State University (CSU). The purpose of this group is to advise the president and other administrators at CSU on issues that affect students from marginalized or underrepresented populations.

The committee’s charge is to:

• Identify concerns and opportunities for improvements related to diversity on campus
• Gauge the climate of multicultural equity, engagement, and inclusiveness on campus
• Assist in creating and developing a university climate of inclusiveness and diversity
• Work will encompass the interests and concerns of all students
• Committee will collaborate with other University entities on common goals addressing diversity issues
• The committee may call on various units of the University administration for assistance in acquiring information, collecting data, and obtaining a full understanding of issues that impact the goals of the committee
• The committee will communicate regularly with committee advisors and meet each semester with the President
• When appropriate, the committee will provide formal recommendations or program ideas to the President
• The work of the committee will be transparent and available to the University community

Membership

The committee is made up of students from campus offices that serve or represent students from marginalized or under-represented populations on campus.

The offices that have representatives on this committee include:

• Adult Learner and Veteran Services
• Asian/Pacific American Cultural Center
• Associated Students of Colorado State University
• Athletics
• Black/African American Cultural Center
• El Centro
• Native American Cultural Center
• Office of International Programs
• Pride Resource Center
• Student Disability Center
• Women and Gender Advocacy Center

Issues PMSAC has Addressed

The members of PMSAC work collaboratively to discuss issues that affect students from the diverse backgrounds they represent.

Some of the issues PMSAC has addressed include:

• Diversity education as a core curriculum requirement
• Accessibility of campus around construction sites and during inclement weather
• Support for undocumented students
• The climate of the university residence halls for both residents and staff
• Recruitment and retention of diverse students
• Biased motivated incidents on campus
• Title IX and the conduct process

My Role as a Representative

During my time on PMSAC, I represented the Student Disability Center (SDC) and the disabled community. As a representative, it was my responsibility to bring forth issues affecting the disabled community. One of the primary issues I brought to the group’s attention is the physical accessibility of campus during inclement weather, and around construction sites.

By bringing this issue to the group’s attention we were able to engage in a conversation with both facilities management and campus administration to address the issue. From these conversations, we were able to collaboratively find solutions to the problems. Facilities Management now makes clearing snow away from ramps, accessible entrances and parking spaces a priority. In terms of construction, the university is now requiring contractors to address accessibility of the construction site during the proposal stage of any construction project. Additionally, the university is working to better communicate about road, sidewalk, or area closures, as well as any construction project that will affect the accessibility of an area on campus.

My Role as Chair

In addition to representing SDC, I had the honor to served as the Chair of the group for the last two years I was on the committee. As Chair of the committee, it was my responsibility to help lead and facilitate each meeting and provide strong leadership to the group. I worked with the committee advisor and mentoring staff to determine agendas for each meeting. I help make arrangements for guests.

Reflection

Being a part of this group was a major part of my time at CSU. My time on the committee helped me to grow and develop both personally and professionally. My understanding of diversity, equity, and social justice have really been expanded; and I learned a lot about other identities. Every meeting provides me new opportunities to learn and grow. Our discussions introduce me to new ideas and perspectives, which I feel really helped me think more critically about how the work I do can affect other students.

Being the Chair of this group helped me to grow as a leader. When I first started in that role I was very nervous and intimidated by the position. However, as I continued on in the role I really grew as a leader. I learned how to be confident in my leadership style and decision making. Additionally, I learned that a good leader knows when to turn to others for advice and insight. Many times I’ve turned to the administrators, who serve as mentors for the group, for advice on how to best lead the group.

Being a part of PMSAC is something I will always be grateful for. It left a lasting impact on me.

References

President’s Multicultural Student Advisory Committee (PMSAC. (2018). Office of the President. Retrieved from https://president.colostate.edu/presidents-multicultural-student-advisory-committee-pmsac