Montclair State University announced on Apr. 7 an updated Land Acknowledgement Statement, which the institution says demonstrates a continued commitment to support and honor Indigenous peoples and their legacies.
The university’s announcement reflects ongoing efforts to recognize the importance of Indigenous communities in its history and present-day operations. The statement is intended as a resource for members of the Montclair community who wish to incorporate it into their work, events, or communications.
“We are proud to announce this milestone, which reflects many months of meaningful collaboration between our Native American and Indigenous Studies team and University leadership,” said Shannon Bellum, University Senate President. “We believe the new statement is a truer reflection of our values and commitments.”
More than half of Montclair State University’s students are from underrepresented minority groups, and it serves as New Jersey’s largest Hispanic-Serving Institution, emphasizing support for historically underrepresented communities, according to the official website. The university enrolls around 23,546 students—including approximately 18,062 undergraduates and 4,508 graduate students—and features a 252-acre suburban campus with an extensive academic complex that has grown since its origins in a single building according to the official website.
Montclair State has been ranked among the top 30 public institutions in the Wall Street Journal’s “Best Colleges” guide and recognized for value and social mobility among New Jersey public universities according to the official website. Its campuses extend across several New Jersey municipalities including Montclair, Little Falls, Clifton, and Bloomfield according to the official website.
The university focuses on delivering educational opportunities that integrate liberal arts education with professional training and research in order to prepare graduates for societal challenges through academic excellence, inclusive access, and community involvement according to the official website.
