University of Michigan To Pay $300K For Renovations To Multicultural Center

The University of Michigan will spend $300,000 for renovations to the Trotter Multicultural Center, The Michigan Daily reported.

After meeting with the Black Student Union on Friday, members of the university's administration agreed to fund renovations to the multicultural center.

"I can say that was a satisfying conclusion for the Multicultural Center demand because I know a building cannot be built within the span of a year or something, I know it needs to be planned out, designed, all of that stuff," BSU speaker Tyrell Collier told The Michigan Daily. "I was at least very pleased with the allocation of that money for the renovations while they figure out the new building."

Collier added that no time frame has been set on the building's renovations.

The meeting on Friday prompted by a protest held Jan. 20 by BSU students that presented seven demands to the university. The seven demands included an increased BSU budget, more affordable off-campus housing for students of lower economic socioeconomic status, renovations and a more central location for the Trotter Center, access to historical documents at the Bentley Historical Library related to race relations and an increase in Black enrollment "equal to 10 percent."

Since the BSU's campaign went viral, university officials sent an email promising change to the campus' diversity climate with "a list of several priorities to be implemented by the school," The Michigan Daily reported.

"The Black Student Union looks forward to negotiating with University Officials in the coming weeks, and is optimistic about working with the University to create sustainable and positive change," BSU said in a statement on Friday.

Geralyn Gaines, fourth-year student and BSU secretary, told The Michigan Daily that although the school organization is pleased with the proceedings so far, there is a need for more change.

"I think it was a good outcome but I think there's so much more work to be done," Gaines said. "It's always nice to see the vision but we need to see the vision executed."