Campus Y continues to provide diverse, inclusive community despite DEI changes

Tucked between UNC’s Gerrard Hall and South Building is the Campus Y, a hub for over 20 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion-focused organizations and committees based at UNC.

With origins in the YMCA and YWCA, the Campus Y has been serving students for over 160 years. It has become one of the most dynamic and lively spaces on campus, where anyone can do anything — from grabbing a cup of coffee to attending one of its many social justice organizations.

Though it has long since split from the YMCA and YWCA, the Campus Y continues to harbor a wide variety of groups, including Best Buddies, the Community Empowerment Fund, Project Literacy and Enrich ELL. 

The Campus Y has become increasingly important as a focal point for DEI at UNC, especially with the recent loss of the UNC’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion. 

Just this last May, the Campus Y faced an indefinite closure amidst on-campus protests about the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, while the NC Board of Governors began decisions on DEI policy in the UNC system. The Campus Y reopened shortly thereafter, however with revised hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Additionally, over the summer, Chancellor Lee Roberts established a committee to determine Campus Y building usage.

Sari Melitte Ghirmay-Morgan, one of the Campus Y’s co-presidents and UNC senior, said the Campus Y carries out a key role in the UNC community by working with marginalized communities, which is extremely impactful for DEI. 

“Because if you're not able to be targeting specific communities based off of their marginalized identities, it makes what you do much more difficult,” Ghirmay-Morgan said. 

Among these communities are disabled students/staff, BIPOC communities on campus, immigrants, religious groups and more.

Not only does the Campus Y provide a place for these organizations and committees to meet, but it also provides part of their gateway for funding, which could be affected by the loss of the DEI office, varying between each organization.

According to Ghirmay-Morgan, the full extent of the effects post-loss of the DEI office are still unclear. But, despite the loss, the Campus Y will continue its support of UNC’s community.

Logan Kaelin, a member of the executive team at the Disability Advocates Committee and UNC senior, also expressed the importance and significance of the Campus Y’s presence at UNC.

“Having a space where students of all backgrounds can feel included and supported in their identities and their perspectives and their shared experiences — I think that's super important,” Kaelin said. 

DAC, one of the organizations located at the Campus Y, not only works to support disabled students and staff at UNC, but also advocates for the renovation and accommodations in campus spaces that were historically not accessible to disabled people.

Kaelin said that the recent loss of the DEI office has only further vitalized DAC’s mission to support disabled students.

“We now feel even more of a call to action to support disabled students, because I do think some support has been lost at higher levels as a result,” Kaelin said. 

Along with being a nucleus for many of these student-run organizations on campus, the Campus Y also serves as a friendly community space. 

Stuti Ramana, a senior at UNC, said the Campus Y is a welcoming, open space for students to utilize and visit.

“I feel like so many spaces on campus can be really intimidating, right? Take Davis, or Wilson, or even UL — the libraries — those are the three main ones that people know about, but they're so big that sometimes you get lost around them,” Ramana said. “At Campus Y, it didn't really feel like that, but it felt like the community that Carolina has promised.” 

With the Meantime Coffee Co. placed in the center, and plenty of cozy seating places in and around the building, the Campus Y, for many, is a homey gathering place.

According to Ramana, at a big place like UNC, finding somewhere calming and comfortable like the Campus Y has been special for her.

“Campus-wise, it's one of those spots where it kind of makes you feel closer to your peers,” Ramana said.

Whether it comes to supporting a variety of students, or simply needing a good cup of coffee, the Campus Y has and will continue to be a home away from home for all.

“I think it's very important that we have an organization like that,” Kaelin said. “That is by students, and for students.” 

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