More than 300 students, faculty, and staff members gathered Tuesday at Memorial Chapel for a campuswide forum on the topics of inclusiveness, bias, and multiculturalism.
Spurring the event were stories in the Maroon News student newspaper, specifically an op-ed written by an African American student titled “If only everyone were white.” Incendiary anonymous comments were posted to the online commentary before being removed by student editors per newspaper policy.
In his opening remarks Tuesday, President Jeffrey Herbst cited the hurtful nature of the comments and how they affect the entire community.
He also referenced his scholarly research of institutionalized racism in countries such as Zimbabwe and South Africa, and the pain such racist attitudes cause. He urged attendees to “look deep within ourselves to see if we are achieving our highest standards and aspirations.”
The forum was moderated by Thomas Cruz-Soto, assistant dean of multicultural affairs; Dawn LaFrance, associate director of counseling and psychological services; and Tennille Haynes, associate director of the Center for Leadership and Student Involvement, who are all members of the campus chapter of the National Coalition Building Institute.
They asked participants to consider the question, “What do you think needs to change for Colgate to be a more inclusive and equitable community?”
Approximately 25 students took to the stage and discussed a wide range of topics, including bias incidents, self-segregation, classism, sexual harassment, and the need to take what is discussed in the classroom about racism and continue the conversation in dorm rooms and around campus.
Several students said that Greek life is having a negative impact on
the campus climate, while others said unfair generalizations are being
made about the fraternity system.
Students shared personal reflections and urged classmates to be agents of positive change.
One student said, “Home is never perfect, but Colgate is my home.”
LaFrance told audience members that NCBI, the ALANA Affairs Committee, and other campus groups will continue to solicit input to include in a report to be delivered to the administration by Dec. 1. The report will include recommendations on ways to improve the campus climate.
The facilitators urged students and other campus community members to email alanaaffairs@colgate.edu with their thoughts and suggestions, and to learn more about NCBI and its extensive programming.
Herbst said that while the university had enacted a strong anti bias/harassment policy in 2009, there is always more the university can do to ensure a welcoming environment for each and every student.
“This has been an enlightening and important conversation,” he said. “We must have many more and continue to act collectively.”