Eastern Michigan University administration is in the process of working with black student leaders of EMU Black Student Union, EMU NAACP Chapter, and more to form resolutions three weeks following the incidents of racist hate speech being painted on the wall of King Hall, and then two days later being written in the stairwell of Wise Hall. The aftermath has led to an increase in communication between the executive team, EMU Public Safety, faculty, and students.
President James Smith has been leading communication with students and faculty, and Associate Vice President of Student Affairs Calvin Philips has been at majority of the student led events to support and listen to the various student voices. These members of the executive team in addition to Chiara Hensley, Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs and Leigh Greden, Adviser to the president have been spear heading the efforts of administration.
The executive team is currently working on providing better campus lighting, additional counselors of color, diversity training for new student orientations, and ways to educate more members of the EMU community. Through in person dialogue with administration at the ongoing events several students of color have expressed a lack of empathy from faculty.
“Faculty hasn’t been in the communication loop. We weren’t receiving communication from the student organizers of the protests -- they were communicating with administration,” said Faculty Senate President Judith Kullberg, and she later said, “If the students shared information with administration, then administration didn’t share it with us, not until late last week.”
In response, EMU Faculty Senate is proposing to administration a teach-in for the entire campus to address components of diversity in American society today. The Senate is proposing to invite people with backgrounds in cultural competency to speak and provide context on the current issues.
On Friday Sep 30, Faculty Senate President received word that EMU’s Black Student Union was hosting a student led forum. The event was planned by EMU Black Student Union with administration at least five days prior.
The Black Student Union Town Hall forum was held on Oct. 3. During his speech at the Town Hall forum EMU President James Smith stated the budget has been increased to improve campus surveillance, and he also issued an apology for any of his errors in his handling of the issues following the incidents. Recently he met with several faculty leaders to improve their united efforts, and Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs Chiara Hensley has also been behind the scenes meeting with faculty to develop a better working relationship.
“I think the student leaders and administration are in agreement that the Black Student 11 Point plan is a good framework to work from,” said Leigh Greden, Adviser to the president, also during the Town Hall forum.
"I think it is best we use the 10 point plan as a foundation to form resolutions, instead of starting from scratch," said Tanasia Morton, EMU Student President.
The 10 point plan was drafted by black students leaders of no specific organization last year and presented to administration, and was revised this year to an 11 point plan following the new racial incidents. Black Student Plan
“The student protests are a great opportunity to allow us all to think about what kind of University we want, and how do we get there,” said Judith Kullberg, Faculty Senate President.
The King Hall case and Wise Hall case are under investigation. To report any information contact EMU Public Safety.
Call 911 or 734.487.1222
