Hundreds say IUPUI plan not in campus's best interest

Several hundred IU-Purdue University Indianapolis students are expressing concern that a proposal black student leaders submitted two weeks ago will not serve the best interest of the campus. The dissent comes as administrators responded to calls of racism by pledging Nov. 16 to create a new cultural center and sponsor diversity initiatives -- two of the demands the student initiative made in addition to calls to allocate $78,000 for black student organizations and to offer a major in African-American studies. \nAs of Sunday, more than 650 students had signed a petition against the Black Student Initiative and more than 900 had joined the Facebook group "IUPUI, We Want Our Money Back!!" that lists concerns similar to those listed in the petition. The main basis of the group's dissent is that they say the black students' demands and the administration's response do not serve the best interest of the campus as a whole. \n"The purpose of the petition was to display the frustration and neglect that many students have felt due to the fact that so many demands were made without us having any say in them," said IUPUI sophomore Areeba Farooqi, who created the Facebook group. \nFarooqi and many in her group stressed that they did not disagree with the motives or goals of the black student leaders but instead said they would like to see administrators take into account all students' concerns. \n"I personally agree with them on their stand that there are cases of discrimination at IUPUI and a lack of cultural diversity on campus," Farooqi said. "I can't speak for everyone in my group, but the problem I had with the proposal is that they had made certain demands that involve all students of IUPUI, and these demands would impact a lot of things for us, like our tuition, fees, campus, organizations and student life." \nIUPUI freshman Dustin Andrews, who joined Farooqi's Facebook group, said he agreed that the proposal was too exclusive by not representing the needs of the entire student body. He added that he felt the demands might have been too extreme in how they were presented. \nIUPUI senior Jocellyn Ford, one of the three leaders of the Black Student Initiative, said she does not have a problem with the group members expressing their views.\n"We definitely respect everyone's opinion," she said. "Everyone is free to agree or disagree with us; we just hope that eventually it'll come to a point where all different minority groups come together and unite on this because we're all facing the same issues."\nFord said she hopes those in the group completely opposed to the initiative will eventually have an open mind. \n"We don't have a problem with anyone expressing themselves; we just hope the negative racial comments will eventually stop," she said.\nStudents who have issues with the proposal expressed varying attitudes, as many differed in opinion on how much of a response to the proposal the administration should grant or if it should wait until it has gathered further information. Some students said they are concerned with the lack of evidence to support the black students' demands. \n"There was not a single fact supported that would motivate change or motivate the average person to care enough about what's going on," said IUPUI sophomore Matt Stone. "I'd like some actual proof that something is happening. I'd like to hear something from an official source, like an impartial study or someone that knows what they are talking about that is not so closely tied to the issue that says racism is happening." \nStone also said he was not sure the addition of a mulitcultural center on campus would benefit IUPUI's students.\n"My main concern is (the cultural center) is something that no one is actually going to use," Stone said. "We're not the same as Bloomington or Lafayette as far as campus environment. A huge percentage of IUPUI (students) are commuter students, and the fact is not a majority of people are going to use that building." \nHowever, some students who signed the petition disagree and say they feel that a multicultural center would be beneficial to the campus. \n"I think that the step the chancellor has taken in agreeing to build a multicultural center is a great step in the right direction," Farooqi said. "The campus would greatly benefit from a place that would open students' minds to other cultures and fulfill the cultural enrichment aspect of their education that is promised to them." \nDespite some ongoing concerns, Farooqi said the group's disagreement with the black students' demands has subsided in recent days, as they are currently working together to find a solution.\n"All of that has died down, and positive efforts are definitely being made to soothe out the situation and (form a) compromise for an overall change on campus," Farooqi said.