Building and maintaining community is critical to student success and thriving in college. For LGBTQIA2S+ students, building community and finding chosen family may be even more important.
At Spectrum Center, we hope to facilitate friendship-making, community development, and building relations both across differences and with shared affinity. We hosts and provides support for three groups open to U-M students:
- Programming Board for volunteer student leaders
- FreshSpectives, a social group for incoming and transfer students
- Q'mmunity Q'nnections (formerly CenterSpace) for identity-based gatherings
Q'mmunity Q'nnections drop-ins
Q'mmunity Q'nnections (formerly CenterSpace) creates space for people with similar identities to gain support and empowerment from one another while building a community and collective resources.
Drop-ins are peer-led and peer-facilitated.
Fall 2024 groups: Ace/aro, QTBIPOC, trans and nonbinary, and graduate student
FreshSpectives cohort
FreshSpectives is a social group for LGBTQIA2S+ first-year and transfer undergraduate students that builds community connections and increases student knowledge of campus resources.
Some of our free social activities have included ice skating, pumpkin carving, cider mill visit, cat cafe, farmers market, and more! Activities and resources may vary by cohort. Many events also include free food, along with Spectrum Center swag at the end of the semester.
Fall 2024 application opens August 2024.
Programming Board
Spectrum Center Programming Board is a volunteer leadership opportunity and sponsored student organization of Spectrum Center, supporting major Spectrum Center events and hosting its own unique programming. Programming Board's goal is to create opportunity to develop and organize events that are LGBTQ+ student-centered and have input on Spectrum Center initiatives. Members gain skills around event planning, facilitation, outreach, and activism. Students of all fields and programs—undergraduate, graduate, and professional alike—are welcome.