EMU Today

As we begin today’s meeting, please allow me a few minutes to address the very serious incidents of racism that have recently occurred on our campus. Yesterday’s racist incident, in which hateful words were spray-painted onto Ford Hall, is a criminal act. I am angry about it, and my Board colleagues have expressed similar sentiments.

As a two-time graduate of Eastern who is well aware of our rich history of diversity and inclusion, I am upset that someone has chosen to spread their version of hate in our community. There is no place for it at Eastern Michigan. There is no place for it in our community, and there is no place for it anywhere in our nation. 

We must do all that we can to pull together as a community to identify those responsible, and we must all work together to create an environment that fosters greater attention to the importance of diversity and inclusion.

I am fully supportive of Eastern’s efforts to investigate these incidents and treat them with the importance that is deserved. The increase in the reward – now doubled to $10,000 – hopefully will generate some new tips. The EMU Police Department is actively pursuing several leads based on tips that have been received. We know that someone knows something, and we encourage you to step forward and contact EMU Police if you have any information that might help. We are determined in our resolve to arrest those responsible and hold them accountable.

We also are determined to support the University’s efforts – including those of our Black student leaders, our Faculty Senate, and the University administration – in working together to address the important issues behind these incidents.

President Smith will have more to say about this in his remarks later in the meeting, including the announcement of a significant and important action related to these issues.

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