By Chris Chesky
Murphy News Service
Positional posturing continued throughout the week after a day-long sit-in Monday in the offices of University of Minnesota President Eric Kaler resulted in the arrest of 13 members of a student group seeking improvement to the school’s Latino-Chicano studies curriculum.
Members of Whose Diversity? said they conducted the sit-in to support a list of issues members say should be rectified by the university, including expansion of the U’s Chicano and Latin studies department, addition of gender-neutral bathrooms and putting an end to what the group called “racialized” crime alerts by the UMPD.
WHOSE DIVERSITY STATEMENT
Whose Diversity? posted a statement on its website Monday evening in support the group members,
“The history of this University has taught us that change only occurs as a result of resistance, persistence and direct action,” the release stated.
“It has taught us that simply waiting for the administration to act in the interest of our communities means never seeing true institutional change.
We worked in the spirit of our predecessors – the student activists who came before us – the young folks who risked expulsion, excessive force, and jail time – the students of historically marginalized identities who created the African American and African Studies, Chicano and Latin Studies, and Gender and Women’s Sexuality Studies Departments.
President Kaler claims that he’s committed to diversity, but he is more than happy to send black and brown students to the Hennepin County jail. This sends a strong message about where his priorities lie.”
UNIVERSITY OFFICIAL STATEMENT
Kaler sent a U-wide email to the at 2:19 a.m. Tuesday to respond to the rally and to address the points brought across by Whose Diversity? during the protest.
“I, together with Provost Karen Hanson and Vice President for Equity and Diversity Katrice Albert, listened to and discussed the students’ concerns with them multiple times throughout the day. At the protestors’ request, a formal, written response to each of the issues they posed was also developed and provided to them. I believe that these responses addressed or advanced the discussion of each of the eight issues.
“The issues Whose Diversity? raises are critically important ones. Leaders across campus and I are committed to creating a community that welcomes and embraces all experiences and perspectives. As our recent strategic plan states, we cannot be a world-class institution without being diverse.
“These are not easy issues to resolve quickly or, in some cases, easily. Nevertheless, we remain committed to our goals; to engaging with students, faculty, and staff across campus to pursue them; and to continually reflecting on our successes and our barriers as we work toward creating a community that embraces diversity both in word and in action. Addressing these issues requires partnerships, with all parties working together to achieve a common goal. However, discussions and goal setting must occur without disrupting University business and with respect for the law.”
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Those arrested Monday night after refusing to leave Kaler’s office in Morrill Hall were released from jail early Tuesday morning after posting bail.
Those arrested were charged with misdemeanor trespass, with the Hennepin County Jail roster citing their refusal to leave the administration office’s after its regularly scheduled 6 p.m. weekday closing time. All of those arrested were released from jail before 4:37 a.m. Tuesday, according to the Whose Diversity? Twitter account.
Arrested Monday night by the University of Minnesota Police Department were:
Irina Barrera, age 25
Jesus Estrada-Perez, 28
Natalie Goodwin, 18
Hoda Isak, 26
Anthony Jimenez, 28
Melinda Lee, 24
Rashaan Mahadeo, 32
David Melendez, 29
Joanna Nunez, 26
Khin Oo, 21
Leah Prudent, 22
Meron Tebeje, 22
Dane Verret, 24
An 8 a.m., Feb. 24, Hennepin County court appearance date has been set for those arrested.
Reporter Chris Chesky is studying journalism at the University of Minnesota