SPA 564: Program Proposal 1

Proposed by: Jessica L. Thompson

June 27, 2016

SPA 564

Program Proposal

Masters Student in Student Personnel Administration in Higher Education

Concordia University Ann Arbor

Amy K. Nelson, Adjunct Faculty

jessica.thompson@student.cuaa.edu

734-972-5415
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Every year that I have been an employee of the W.M. Trotter Multicultural Center (WMTMC) at

the University of Michigan (U of M) I have had the pleasure of participating in the Annual Culture Bus

Tour. The Culture Bus Tour is offered through the U of M Professional Development Functional Group

(PDFG), and is a trip offered once per academic school year to a surrounding community with the

purpose of learning more about the communities many of our students and staff are coming from, that

have a direct impact on our institution. This program has been eye opening and critically engaging. I

value the opportunity to experience the various cities and the culture, which allows me to see the world

through the lens of those I support and work with. Having the chance to capture the narratives of those

that make up the community of U of M allows for us as a campus of professionals to be sensitive to,

aware of, and enlightened by the rich experiences these trips provide.

I am proposing that we consider providing a similar experience for the students, both

undergraduate and graduate students. This kind of program can create space for intercultural

development and competency, dialogue that moves forward the diversity, equity and inclusion

work that we are committed to, and also provides our students a similar opportunity of seeing life

through the lens of one another. It is my suggestion that we involve the U of M Central Student

Government, the Office of Multi-Ethnic Student Affairs, Trotter Multicultural Center, the Office

of Academic Multicultural Initiatives, the Ginsberg Center, the Office of New Student Programs

and the Center for Campus Involvement in the conversation around the planning of this program;

as well as, learning outcomes and assessment. A robust curriculum through this program can be

created with the U of M Student Life learning outcomes at the forefront of its development and

planning.

I have selected the city of Detroit as our first destination, as a result of the desire to

support the ongoing efforts of the U of M Detroit Center, the new Connector and the amount of

activities at our disposal. This tour should be promoted at the beginning of the school year
SPA 564: Program Proposal 3

through all Welcome Week Channels, social media, email blasts, promotion at student

organization meetings and an article should be featured in the Michigan Daily.

Who/What: We are hoping to travel with up to 50 students and staff; providing all participants

with transportation, access to venues, breakfast, lunch and dinner. The buses will leave Ann

Arbor around 8:30am, arriving to Detroit roughly around 9:20am/9:30am. The buses will leave

Detroit around 8:00pm, arriving back in Ann Arbor roughly around 8:45pm/9:00pm.

Where: Detroit, Michigan

The following is a running list of possible places that students may be interested in visiting:

Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History

University of Michigan Detroit Center

Detroit Historical Society

Hitsville U.S.A. (Motown Museum)

Detroit Historical Museum

Detroit Institute of Arts Museum

Guardian Building

The Heidelberg Project

Brightmoor Community Gardens, Hope House and Youth Market

Budget: Transportation, paid entry into venues/spaces, and food will be the responsibility of the

program budget. For transportation, a chartered bus will be the most sufficient mode of travel.

For food, breakfast will consist of cereal bars, yogurt, juice/water, and fruit, lunch and dinner

will be at local Detroit restaurants with each student being allotted $15/$20 with the option to

cover the remaining cost of anything outside of the allocated amount. For entry into paid

venues/spaces, it depends on the cost of the venues that are chosen.

SPA 564: Program Proposal 4

Tentative Budget Overview:

Transportation Bus Charter (8:00am-8:00pm)

12 hours

$95/hr + 10% gratuity 1140

$1,254.00

Breakfast $250.00

Lunch $15/pp + 18% gratuity

$885.00

Dinner $20/pp + 18% gratuity

$1,180.00

Entry to venue(s) not to exceed $1250.00

$25/pp

Total: $4,819.00 (round up to $5,000.00 for budget

cushion)
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SPA 564: Program Proposal 6