As a resource and catalyst on gender in a global perspective, MSU GenCen felt it was our responsibility to contact the Board of Trustees candidates for the 2018 election and pose three questions to them regarding their stances on gender and sexuality, and their plans for inclusion on campus.
Unfortunately, a few candidates did not have accessible contact information, but we were able to contact five of the candidates (Bruce Campbell, Dave Dutch, Mike Miller, Brianna Scott, and Kelly Tebay). These are the questions we posed to all five candidates that we could reach.
No reply as of 10/16/18.
As a Trustee, I will also advocate for the review and oversight of current University policies and practices that discriminate against women and other marginalized groups, including those addressing sexual orientation and gender identity. For example, although MSU’s Anti-Discrimination policy has affirmed the right of all students, employees, visitors to use the bathroom that matches their gender identity, the Ordinances of the MSU Board of Trustees continue to include the confusing and outdated language of Ordinance 1.00 (.01) Use of Restrooms/Locker Rooms for Opposite Sex that states that “No person shall knowingly enter into, engage in peeping into, open the door of, or knowingly be in any rest room or locker room which has a sign posted indicating or designating that the rest room or locker room is for the use of the opposite sex.” An additional example would involve the recent re-structuring of the Title IX office and the Office of Institutional Equity, with these offices primarily staffed by white women, rather than a more diverse group of leaders including minority groups, members of the LGBTQ community, as well as individuals with disabilities.
Moreover, I will advocate for increased awareness of these groups and for their representation and involvement when various leadership groups and task forces are being developed. Lastly, I will work with organizations to formulate initiatives throughout the school year to educate the campus community about the organizations and assist in planning programming to celebrate the different minority groups on campus inviting all to learn from and celebrate the differences that make MSU’s campus to rich with diversity.
Systemic racism and implicit bias are pervasive in our public educational system. The Board of Trustees should support a review of MSU’s admissions policies to ensure that they offer an unbiased admissions process that offers equal opportunity for all students. The university should foster strong relationships with high school guidance offices to promote and assist with the applications of minority students and then provide the necessary financial support and assistance with academic and social adjustment to the university setting. I would also advocate for the hiring of Alumni Liaisons that are from the areas where students are underrepresented, who would work with Admissions towards identifying and recruiting “Students of Promise” as young as 9th grade, so that we are providing access for these students and allowing them a one on one relationship that would remain throughout high school, of someone they can relate, look up to and rely on to assist them through the admissions process.
Presently, the graduation rate for all minority students languishes far below that of white students, including the graduation rate for our minority student athletes who contribute to the University’s financial resources. This will also demand a careful review and action planning to support not only the recruitment of minority students, but their retention and graduation as well.
I would also look into establishing additional investments in programs designed to support student recruitment,retention, and achievement. It would be important that MSU measure results and communicate these broadly in the university community. MSU should also seek additional grants to support diversity recruitment and programming. Additionally, we must actively assess needs and develop programs to serve populations that have traditionally received less attention, such as Hispanic, American Indian, Appalachian, and LGBT faculty, staff, and students. Lastly, MSU should increase visibility and coordination of programming and services for individuals with disabilities throughout the campus.
I would support the current joint effort of the Association of American Universities urging congressional leadership to immediately enact a permanent measure allowing the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) participants to remain in the United States without fear of deportation. I would also fully support the efforts of undocumented students to pursue their education at MSU and policy of “non-collaboration” with federal immigration authorities.
My value for diversity and inclusion has been reflected in my professional career, as the Chair (2014 - present) of the Diversity & Inclusion Committee for the Muskegon Rotary Club, which serves the entire Muskegon County area, I have developed programming geared towards building bridges between marginalized groups and a community that has not always been very inclusive. The successes that I have had include the Love Lives Here campaign, yearly ENPACT (Enhancing Police & Public Trust) Forums and the annual Muskegon Heights/Muskegon Rotary Community Mixer. Each year the events get bigger and bigger and work toward healing racial divides that are so prominent in my community. I will bring this same level of passion and commitment to fostering understanding and inclusion to my work on the MSU Board of Trustees.
No reply as of 10/16/18.