Changes overnight: Champion Miller Center’s rebranding
Karli Strom - Editor in Chief
Students woke up last Thursday morning to see a change at the Champion Miller Center (CMC). The words “for Student Equity, Inclusion and Community” on the CMC sign were removed.
“It was such a shock that the House Manager thought it was vandalized,” said current resident of CMC, Dante Sardelli.
Originally dedicated in April 2022, CMC had goals of providing an array of academic and support services. It offered fellowship opportunities to students of all backgrounds, particularly disadvantaged, marginalized and first-generations college students, while serving as residential housing.
The change came as a shock to students and faculty alike. People trying to reach a conclusion about why these words were erased and what that meant for the campus.
“I was more shocked that there was no warning,” said Sardelli. “I had assumed this was due to the ‘Dear Colleague’ letter.”
On Feb. 14, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights issued a ‘Dear Colleague’ letter, directing educational institutions receiving federal funds to discontinue the use of race-based preferences in various areas across campuses. Institutions that fail to comply may face investigations and potential loss of federal funding.
Hours after the initial reaction, Dean Karen Ogorzalek emailed the student body to explain that the CMC would no longer serve as a residential faculty in the coming semester.
“Beginning in the fall of 2025, Champion Miller Center will serve as a resource center dedicated to supporting historically marginalized students while continuing the Center’s impactful initiatives and vibrant programming,” said Ogorzalek. “The goal of the Center is to create an environment where students can support each other academically and personally while learning more about themselves and others around them.”
The CMC will now become the hub for student organizations like Raíces, SAGA, MoCo First Gen, and developing groups like Men of Distinction and Women’s League.
Rev. John Huxtable will also be relocating his office to the first floor of the CMC as an advisor.
The lack of an initial statement about the changes to the CMC and their sign still left a poor taste in student’s mouths.
“I wish they would have at least said something to the main student organizations who are going to be moved into the house and let students know ahead of time rather than coming back to the dorm to find the sign altered,” said Sardelli.
On Monday, President Draves emailed faculty and staff to address the quick changes and lack of communication between administration and the student body.
“We began updating the sign of the Center to reflect the organizations that will be moving in. Unfortunately, in our haste to make these changes we began too soon before letting you know the plan,” said Draves. “This work is unrelated to the national landscape, federal executive orders like the ‘Dear Colleague’ letter of Feb. 14, or our commitment to our diverse community. It was a mistake, and I take full responsibility for that as your president.”