Fate of mural on hold

True to the promise made at the last Black Student Union town hall meeting, the group made its position official last night. During a meeting with students and University officials, the BSU expressed that they want something done about the mural in Woodburn Hall Room 100.\nStudents and others packed a small classroom in Woodburn last night to hear BSU officials voice their concerns and offer suggestions for a solution to a panel of IU administrators. Among the administrators serving on the panel were Bill Shipton and Pam Freeman, co-chairs of the Racial Incidents Team, and Chancellor Sharon Brehm. \nKey organizers of the call for change are senior Shannon Walden, political action chair for BSU, and junior Marshawn Wolley, president of BSU. \nMany other students and student groups have also voiced concern over the murals. BSU officials said they have received support from groups ranging from greek organizations to other minority student associations, such as La Casa. Individual students also voiced their concerns to Brehm and the panel.\nThe BSU drafted a list of options for the murals, including removing them, covering them during class and presenting videos about the murals to all students during the first day of classes. Another option included adding "more historical pictures displaying people, cultures and groups that are pertinent to IU's student body," including images approved by La Casa and the Asian Culture Center. \nWolley, who mediated the discussion, told the panel that the campaign against the mural was a step toward student unity. \n"We didn't do this for IU. We did this for (the students)," Wolley said. "This is an act to protect us from (the administration.)"\nSenior Levar Woods has had many classes in Woodburn 100 and he said the mural affected his learning experience. \n"I should not have wasted one second looking at a mural when I was supposed to be taking a marketing test," Woods said.\nOthers shared Wood's sentiments. Sophomore Carolyn Randolph, vice political action chair for BSU, thought the mural was out of place. \n"We're being forced to look at this image in a place where we're supposed to be educated," Randolph said.\nBill Shipton, who was a member of the committee that originally determined that the mural should stay in Woodburn as an education tool, concurred.\n"I hope no one advocates destroying this great mural, but it is out of place," he said.\nWalden also said she felt the discussion prompted by the mural marks the beginning for a move toward more diversity at IU. \n"I don't think we should limit ourselves to the murals in Woodburn," said Walden. "I shouldn't have to go to the Black Culture Center to see images of black people, or the Asian Culture Center to see images of Asians. Diversity should be everywhere on campus."\nFreshman Mzilikazi Kone also wants to see more change on campus. \n"What's going to make me have a better day is moving towards something that will eliminate racism on our campus," Kone said. "What we do with the mural is not going to make people hate me less."\nThe discussion left senior Shaunette Byers in tears.\n"In 2002, as a student, I should not have to deal with this," Byers said.\nAt the culmination of the meeting, the BSU officials asked Brehm to render a decision in two weeks. Brehm agreed to the request.\nUltimately, the fate of the mural rests solely in Brehm's hands, but she said she will consult with other officials and experts before she makes her judgment. \n"I have listened," Brehm said to the students. "You notice how little I've said. That's unusual." \nSome people still believe that censorship is still a major issue that needs to addressed before any decision is made. Lecturer in law Cathy Crosson said addressing the mural problem dodges a bigger issue. \n"It's not going to stop racists from telling you you don't belong here," Crosson said. "You don't get rid of racism by taking down a mural."\nThough most students concerned with the mural are very outspoken and emotional about the subject, they are not willing to subjugate any rules or laws to make their point known.\nSophomore Gerald Mitchell said fears of student violence are unwarranted.\n"We believe something is going to be done. We are not going to go out and tear something down," Mitchell said. "If we do that, that will not be productive for the next students coming in." \nByron Craig, a graduate African American studies student, said the student voices of concern are encouraging. \n"We need to remember that it is out of incidents like this that we find our spirits of resistance," Craig said. \nWalden, as a main organizer of the events, has received threatening e-mails from people about the mural issue. This has not deterred her or the BSU continuing their campaign.\nChancellor Brehm will hold another meeting in two weeks to discuss her decision publicly with BSU members and students.