About the Branch Center

Located on the second floor of the University Center, in what used to be the Student Organization Suite, The Branch Center is the space for student diversity and inclusion at the University of Montana.The Branch center is a space dedicated to promoting respectful and collaborative dialogue, programming, and resources, in an effort to foster understanding, support, and inclusion for underrepresented students. 

The Branch Center is dedicated to Dr. Theresa Branch, former vice president of Student Affairs, who wanted to create a place on campus which celebrated diversity. Branch served from 2003 to 2016 as the first female African-American in the position.

Contact Information

Devin Carpenter
Interim Director, Branch Center
Aber Hall 419/Branch Center
devin.carpenter@mso.umt.edu
406-243-2332

Hours

The Interim Director will be located in the Branch Center for the 2023/204 school year on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. and is otherwise available by appointment.

Location

Second Floor of the UC

Handbook & Facility Guidelines 

Diversity Student Groups in the Branch Center

• Black Student Union

• Gender Equity Resource Center

• LAMBDA Alliance

• Latiné Student Union

• Pacific Islanders Club

Please Note: The above is not an exhaustive list of diversity groups on campus, just those who currently have offices in the Branch Center. For more diversity student groups not located in the Branch Center, please visit our Language & Culture and Race & Ethnicity pages.

Branch Center Smudge Space

The Smudge Space is a designated space (UM Policy #1016) for the UM campus community to smudge. Smudging is a traditional practice used by Indigenous people for prayer or to cleanse a person or place by burning sacred plants. The UM campus community is invited to use this space and provides smudging items for use.