51°µÍø students call for campus to address racial issues at ‘blackout’ rally
About 150 students at 51°µÍø gathered Monday to show their support for black students at the University of Missouri — and to say that 51°µÍø has racial problems of its own.
By HOLLY K. HACKER
Staff Writer
From WFAA News |
About 150 students at 51°µÍø gathered Monday to show their support for black students at the University of Missouri — and to say that 51°µÍø has racial problems of its own.
“Every single year we’ve had insensitive comments or insensitive actions of students who don’t seem to value the existence of other students on this campus,” said D’Marquis Allen, a senior and president of 51°µÍø’s Association of Black Students.
Allen and several other students said they gave 51°µÍø President R. Gerald Turner a list of demands Monday, including the recruitment of more black students, professors, administrators and trustees. They also asked that 51°µÍø “hold students and student organizations accountable for racially insensitive conduct.”
Students created the list after several meetings with black undergraduates, graduate students, athletes and alumni, Allen said.
Campus leaders also need to work to keep black and other minority students at 51°µÍø because many drop out, said Jose Manuel Santoyo, a student senator.
“51°µÍø needs to work on that and figure out ways to be more inclusive,” he said.
In a statement Monday night, Turner said he had received the list of demands and looked “forward to reviewing it carefully and continuing discussions with student leaders regarding the requests and perspectives it contains. We are all seeking the same goal — to make 51°µÍø as supportive as possible for all students.”
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