Supervisor Bielinski Calls on Uwm to Reverse Consolidation of Multicultural Centers, Elevate Student Voices

MILWAUKEE – Following reports that the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) plans to consolidate eight longstanding multicultural and resource centers into a single student “hub” by Fall 2026, Supervisor Justin Bielinski is calling on university leadership to pause and reverse the decision until students have a meaningful voice in the process.

The consolidation would merge the Black Student Cultural Center, LGBTQ+ Resource Center, Roberto Hernández Center, Women’s Resource Center, Southeast Asian American Student Center, First-Generation+ Resource Center, Military and Veterans Resource Center, and Off-Campus Resource Center into one centralized space.

“These centers were not created by accident. They were built over decades to meet the specific needs of diverse student communities,” Bielinski said. “Higher education institutions like UWM are nothing without their students and faculty. That this decision was made without the backing of either is shameful.”

Bielinski, a proud UWM graduate, said he witnessed firsthand how vital these spaces are.

“As a student at UWM, I saw how powerful these centers were for my classmates and friends. They weren’t just buildings; they were safe spaces. They were places where students found community, mentorship, belonging, and support during some of the most challenging times of their lives,” he said. “For many students, these centers are the difference between feeling isolated and feeling seen.”

While university officials have stated that staffing will be retained and services integrated, many students have raised concerns that consolidation could dilute the identity, autonomy, and cultural significance of each center.

“Efficiency cannot come at the expense of community,” Bielinski added. “When students are telling you they feel unheard, frustrated, and concerned, leadership has a responsibility to listen, not move forward without them.”

Bielinski is calling on UWM leadership to:

• Pause implementation of the consolidation plan;
• Conduct robust, transparent student engagement sessions; and
• Commit to preserving the identity and integrity of each cultural and resource center.

“Our universities should protect and uplift students, especially those who rely on culturally competent, identity-affirming spaces,” Bielinski said. “It may be fashionable in today’s political environment to pretend that Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is something to shy away from, but our colleges and universities should not participate in this reactionary march toward homogeneity, inequity, and exclusion.”

Bielinski encouraged current students, alumni, and community members to continue voicing their perspectives as discussions move forward.

“Students deserve more than a notification email,” he said. “They deserve to be heard.”

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.