Dear MSU Community, 

We are excited to announce the establishment of a new campus unit dedicated to providing services, education, and information to continue fostering a welcoming study and work environment at Montana State University: MSU Campus Civil Rights (“CCR”), launching during summer 2024. 

After listening to student leaders who asked for more direct services in one centralized place, we are bringing together the MSU Office of Institutional Equity (OIE) and the MSU VOICE Center to strengthen access to resources and support.  The VOICE Center and OIE’s work laid the foundation for the establishment of CCR, and we are excited to bring their services and resources into a consolidated format. 

What services, education, and information will CCR provide? CCR will respond to concerns regarding all types of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation; it will also respond to concerns of stalking, dating violence, domestic violence, and sexual assault. CCR will be a resource for all students, faculty, staff, and campus visitors. 

The CCR team will provide the following services for the MSU community: 

  • Preventative Education and Training – Do you need customized training on civil rights or sexual assault prevention for your club, department, or office? CCR will provide training sessions on topics such as affirmative consent, positive team dynamics, bystander intervention, and combating discrimination in the workplace.
  • Peer Educators – CCR is launching a Peer Educator program. These student volunteers will work with CCR staff to develop and lead educational sessions for registered student organizations, residence halls, athletic teams, or our fraternity and sorority community. Some topics include sexual assault prevention and bystander intervention.
  • Student Resource Advocates – Looking for a place to ask questions about navigating university processes? CCR resource advocates are available to help all students understand their options if they are experiencing any type of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or interpersonal violence. CCR resource advocates can also help connect you to community or campus resources like mental health counseling or wellness partners.
  • Case Managers – CCR’s full-time case management team can help coordinate reasonable supportive measures, including potential changes to campus housing, altering campus work or class schedules, coursework deadline extensions, mutual no-contact orders, and more. CCR also coordinates pregnancy or parenting accommodations for students and graduate students.
  • Civil Rights Investigations – CCR’s team of civil rights investigators is available to conduct inquiries under MSU’s Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation Policy and accompanying Grievance Procedures.  

MSU Campus Civil Rights will be located on the second floor of Swingle in the fall of 2024. Stay tuned for more information on our opening date! 

Interested in getting involved? CCR is looking for students to join our team as Resource Advocates and Peer Educators. If MSU students would like to volunteer or learn more about CCR or just would like to set up a meeting with us, please email civilrights@montana.edu. 

We are grateful for the MSU Community's support of OIE and the VOICE Center over the years, and we are excited to expand these offices' services under a new name.

 

Best,
Kyleen C. Breslin, J.D.
Managing Director/Title IX Coordinator
Pronouns: she/her/hers

Office of Institutional Equity
Tel (406) 994-5326
Cell (406) 209-8245
https://www.montana.edu/equity