Monday, Chancellor Sharon Brehm introduced several initiatives to promote diversity on the Bloomington campus. The initiatives were in response to conflict over Cultural Panel 9 of Thomas Hart Benton mural, "Parks, the Circus, the Klan, the Press" currently hanging in Woodburn Hall 100. The fate of the mural panel had garnered national media attention recently, due to its depiction of Klu Klux Klan members burning a cross, and complaints registered to the Racial Incidents Team. We applaud Chancellor Brehm's efforts to protect artistic expression on campus. Removal of the mural would have hidden the shameful aspects of Indiana's past. The mural depicts more than a cross burning, it stands for efforts made by many in Indiana to overcome the Klan presence in our state. The Chancellor's attempts at diversifying the campus are also commendable. Chancellor Brehm said in a press conference that the true issue that needs to be addressed is the state of diversity on campus. Complaints over the mural were just symptoms of a greater disease. In response, she will enhance the explanatory materials for the mural and require that any group wishing to use Woodburn 100, or any student exposed to the mural, be informed of its history and intent, or else the room will be unavailable to them. Brehm re-emphasized the need for "vigorous, exciting, and, yes, controversial art" on and around campus. To this end, the One for Diversity Fund has been established by the IU Foundation. The University will continue to provide significant funding for strategic hiring and student retention efforts, and integrating diversity issues into the curriculum. "Despite a very tight budget situation on our campuses," Chancellor Brehm said, "I will continue to provide strong support for the Bloomington campus Office of Diversity and Student Support." The Black Student Union also deserves praise for their handling of a difficult situation. Their protests over the mural panel were the catalyst for much discussion on campus regarding diversity. Continued education about the mural and an intensified program of diversity can only benefit all students on campus. Just as Chancellor Brehm consulted students on campus when forming her decision as to the fate of the murals, we hope that she will continue to include members of the Black Student Union, the Henry Radford Hope School of Fine Arts and all students in the execution of her new diversity initiatives.
yes - no - abstain
