Central Michigan University
EN-10: Community Partnerships

Central Michigan University (CMU) and the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe (SCIT) have been partners since 2007. CMU and SCIT have worked to "improve and enhance the quality of life of citizens in the region". They have worked on many collaborative projects together.

In 2021, Central Michigan University and the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribal college teamed up to establish an Ethnobotanical Garden on the CMU's campus. The garden was established because "​Central Michigan University stands on the ancestral lands of the Anishinaabe people and is proud to be a partner of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe. For many years, the university and tribe have collaborated on programs, events and activities to showcase the rich history and culture of local Indigenous people."

The garden became established through the collaboration of CMU students and faculty with the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribal College students and faculty. It was the second partnership between Central Sustainability and the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe. One of Central Sustainability's main goals is to advocate for Cultural Sustainability, which has to do with "celebrating cultural beliefs and practices, respecting heritage conservation and honoring identities". This ties in with the garden as it represents gratitude towards the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe for allowing CMU to be on their land and it is "a way of honoring the Indigenous people who have been living and working on the land from time immemorial. It is important to understand the long-standing history that has brought us to reside on the land, and to seek to understand our place within that history."

With the initial establishment of the garden, CMU provided the necessary funds and supplies needed for the planting of the garden, and CMU also provided the funds for the sign that explained the garden's purpose to the general public. In 2022 and 2023, Central Sustainability and the Tribal college to collaborate and replant the garden each May, and will continue the collaboration into the future.

https://www.cmich.edu/news/details/cultivating-a-growing-partnership

Central Michigan University has raised more than $359,000 to be donated to the United Way of Isabella and Gratiot County in the past 5 years. CMU received a Campaign Excellence Award for fundraising efforts during the annual United Way Community Campaign. The United Way "provides leadership and resources to improve the quality of life in the community by generating revenue, creating awareness and engaging volunteers to support its programs and services." The United Way of Isabelle County and Gratiot County support Assest Limited, Income Constrained, Employed individuals who are struggling to make ends meet through the ALICE fund. The United Way of Isabella County works towards community betterment and through that, economic and social sustainability. They have programs to improve early childhood education and literacy, youth development and mentoring, financial stability, and access to healthcare. All of these programs are essential to the success of the individual and the community.

https://www.cmich.edu/news/details/cmu-recognized-for-support-of-united-way-during-annual-celebration

In the summer, CMU hosts the Special Olympics competition. The summer games are the largest event for the Special Olympics of Michigan, and it draws many athletes, coaches, and volunteers to CMU’s campus. The Special Olympics were held virtually during 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19, but returned to campus summer of 2022. The goal of these competitions is to raise awareness about the underrepresented groups in the special olympics and about the social injustices. This all ties in with CMU’s goal to accentuate cultural sustainability, to improve understanding with others in order to shape a more sustainable future.

https://www.somi.org/summergames

Central Michigan University has relationships with nearby schools, such as H.H. Dow High School, community organizations, and businesses that work to promote sustainability.