Students at Montana State University will hold the institution’s second annual Diversity Symposium from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, March 27, in the Strand Union Building Ballrooms.
Hosted by the Office of Student Engagement and the Associated Students of Montana State University, the symposium is intended to provide a broad platform for students, faculty, staff and community members to share and celebrate ideas, research and art.
“The intention of this event is to elevate and celebrate the diverse identities, experiences, services, research and knowledge at MSU and in the Bozeman community,” said Jamie Baird, student director of diversity and inclusion at MSU.
The event will begin at 8 a.m. with breakfast and opening remarks from Ariel Donohue, MSU senior diversity and inclusion officer. It will also include lunch at 11 a.m., a keynote speech at 11:30 a.m. and a screening of a film about transgender Montanans, “Transitive Property.” The screening will begin at 2:05 p.m. in the Procrastinator Theater. Hourly breakout sessions, which may feature poetry, short story readings, research presentations, discussion topics, lectures, vignettes, dances, workshops, trainings and more, will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Individuals are welcome to come and go from the symposium as needed.
The Diversity Symposium is free and open to the public, but participants are encouraged to RSVP. RSVPs may be made at
montana-mxeon.formstack.com/forms/2019_diversity_symposium_rsvp
or on the Office of Student Engagement’s website at montana.edu/engagement/.
In partnership with the symposium, the Office of Student Engagement and the student director of diversity and inclusion will also host “SRO SLAM” from 7 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, March 27, at the SRO coffee shop in the Strand Union Building. The open mic night will feature poetry, spoken word, acoustic music and a special guest, and free food will be provided. Sign-up sheets will be available at the event for individuals who wish to perform. SRO’s hours will be extended to 9 p.m. that day, and everyone is encouraged to bring their own mugs. More information about SRO SLAM is available by contacting Brianna Fields at asmsuoutreach@gmail.com or visiting montana.edu/engagement/.