EMU Today

Response to inquiries based on EMU NAACP Facebook post

Eastern Michigan University encourages our students to exercise the right to express their views on matters of public importance and matters that are important to them, including those expressed in the recent Facebook post.

EMU has always and will continue to support the rights of our students to peacefully demonstrate. This has been illustrated time and again on this campus, this year and in the past. This past fall, the University worked diligently with our students to manage the variety of protests peacefully, and with a great level of appreciation and respect for students’ anger and frustration over the incidents that have occurred.

It is important to note that this issue has arisen because an individual(s) attacked OUR institution with messages of hate and racist vandalism because Eastern Michigan University has embraced diversity and inclusiveness. The vandals appear to be using their hateful messages to make a statement against our diverse community. These incidents didn't happen because we are against diversity or black students, but because we welcome, encourage and embrace this diversity as a core value. Viewed in that sense, EMU is likely a target because we have such a visible commitment to diversity and it threatens people who fear that. Racists are the real culprits here. It's not our students, faculty staff or administration – all of whom are dedicated professionals who commit themselves each and every day to making this campus a safe place for men and women of all backgrounds and orientations. 

Not a single student has been arrested or expelled as a result of their participation in any of the many demonstrations and protests that have taken place. No sanctions have been issued that include expulsion or suspension, nor has any action been taken that would delay or deny students’ progress toward their degrees.

Only one particular incident has led to Student Conduct Code review of a small number of students, not 90 as was suggested in the Facebook post. This was the when a group of students refused to leave a building after it closed, and after receiving several warnings that remaining in the building after closing hours would result in a Conduct Code investigation. Many students chose to leave at that time and continue their protest outside, which the University supported. While we are unable to discuss specific cases due to federal privacy laws, fewer than 20 students who refused to leave after the building closed face conduct violations. None of which include expulsion or suspension, or any action that would delay or deny progress toward their degrees.

This issue has never been about the students' right to demonstrate or protest. We have supported and encouraged those efforts throughout. We do not allow any group to occupy our closed buildings and, in turn, force our employees to work overtime to keep control of the work areas to and for which they are assigned. The issue at hand is violating a student conduct policy that specifically references occupying and refusing to leave a closed building. That is the only incident at issue in this situation.

The University continues to actively investigate the racist incidents, and regards them as a top priority. A $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of those responsible, announced this fall shortly after the incidents, remains in effect.

There have been a variety of updates to campus leaders and others regarding the investigations and the demands presented in the Black Student 10-Point Plan:

• On November 3, President James Smith, Provost Rhonda Longworth, Chief Bob Heighes, and Associate Vice President of Student Affairs Calvin Phillips met with Black student leadership from across campus. During that meeting, Chief Heighes gave a detailed update of the investigation.

• On November 11, Adviser to the President Leigh Greden sent a detailed email update on a variety of issues to everyone who attended that meeting. Although the email didn't include any more information about the investigation since there were no new updates, it included details about new employee training initiatives, security measures and campus events. He urged the email recipients to share the email widely.

• On September 26 and November 7, President Smith and Chief Heighes met with local Black community leaders, including elected officials and clergy. Chief Heighes gave an update on the investigation at both meetings.

• On December 6, Adviser to the President Greden and Dr. Calvin Phillips, associate vice President for Student Affairs, presented a detailed update on the status of actions regarding the Black Student 10-Point Plan and updating the investigation into the racist vandalism incidents, to the Black Student Union general membership. BSU is the umbrella student organization for Black student organizations on campus. This information was further shared with the campus community.

In addition, the University initiated several actions in response to the racist vandalism incidents, which also have been widely communicated to the campus community. These include:

• Announced creation of the President’s Commission on Diversity and Inclusion to provide recommendations to undertake systematic campus climate studies, including a study on the campus racial climate, and provide input and make specific recommendations to the President and campus community about the campus climate and how to provide a more inclusive culture. The Commission includes student leaders, faculty, staff, and members of the community.

• Expanded police patrols on campus.

• Announced continued investment in added lighting and surveillance cameras.

• Initiated ongoing discussions and forums with Black student leaders and others to respond to questions about safety, status of the investigation, overall campus climate, and the broader issues of racism on campus and in our society.