Written by Abby Garrett, photos by Britney Spangenberg

This summer Missouri State University Multicultural Services quite literally broke down barriers while renovating a new multicultural student space. The Mary Jean Price Walls Multicultural Resource Center was named in honor of Ms. Mary Jean Price Walls, who received the first honorary undergraduate degree ever given by Missouri State University. In 1950, she was the school’s first African-American applicant, and was initially denied admission.

The versatile space was made for marginalized students, faculty and staff. It features a large event area, Smart TV, extensive library of books and movies, a computer lab, free printing, gender neutral bathrooms, a microwave and minifridge, regular visits from campus counselors, and a room of reflection made for meditation and prayer.

Students are encouraged to reserve the meeting space for hosting large events and utilize the lounge area as a space for hanging out, eating, doing homework, etc. 

“We want as many people to not only know about the space but to actually use it. Students can come in here and chill. We’ve had students coming in between classes hanging out, making friends and just having a good day,” said Grey Garris, assistant director of multicultural programs and LGBTQ+ student services. 

The Lesbian, Gay, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ+) resource center was created by and for LGBTQ+ identified students. Students who enter will be greeted with friendly front desk staff, free pronoun buttons, posters with information on upcoming events for LGBTQ+ organizations and clubs, ally chains, and decorations for various heritage months. 

Inside the transitions closet, clothes can be donated to transgender students in need of gender affirming clothing. Students can pick clothing out of the closet free of charge. LGBTQ+ student services offer programs such as Trans @ MSU, which is working to create an inclusive campus for trans* students through the advocacy of positive policy. They provide information on gender neutral restrooms and Missouri State’s gender affirming on-campus housing, non-diescirmination and chosen name policies. The center also connects students to the bias response team and runs a safe zone training program that helps participants learn more about the LGBTQ+ community.

“A lot of the issues I’ve been seeing regularly center transgender and gender non-conforming students and basic respect for their personage,” said Garris.
Garris’s message to faculty and staff looking to create a more inclusive environment is that: 

“A student is a student, a person is a person, all of these individuals are human beings worthy of respect. Respecting someone’s preferred name and pronouns is suicide prevention. By actively refusing to do so, you are actively discrediting them as a person. The second you affirm someone in your space, you are preventing the loss of another student. Respect the students that come into your space.” 

But the work doesn’t stop at the new renovation. The MRC staff is working to create specific identity development groups, retention groups, and resources dedicated to LGBTQ+ students of color, who may have vastly different experiences than their white peers. They aim to meet the needs of trans and gender non-conforming students, students experiencing homelessness due to their family not accepting their identity, and students who need counseling services.

Garris' mission for  LGBTQ+ student services is “To ensure our LGBTQ+ students have a safe space on campus”

“It’s not trying to push an agenda on other people, it’s about making sure people of a certain identity have a space they feel welcome in an area they may not.” 

The Multicultural Resource Center is located in the Plaster Student Union Suite 101. They will have a grand reopening from 12 pm to 1:30 pm, on Saturday, October 16th. 

For more information on the new MRC and LGBTQ+ resources:

https://www.missouristate.edu/MulticulturalPrograms/mostatemp-mrc.htm 

https://www.missouristate.edu/MulticulturalPrograms/LGBT-Resource-Center.htm

https://www.missouristate.edu/MulticulturalPrograms/trans-at-msu.htm