IUPUI students demand minority support

Last week, minority student leaders at IU-Purdue University Indianapolis threatened to sue the University if administrators did not meet a number of demands, including $78,000 for black student groups and an undergraduate degree in African-American studies. \nMembers of IU-Bloomington's Black Student Union said they agree with the move by their IUPUI counterparts.\n"We support what they are doing now, and I think the steps (IUPUI's black student leaders) are taking to address the concerns of minority students on their campus are good," said D'Anna Wade, IU's Black Student Union president. \nIUPUI's Black Student Union president, senior Dominic Dorsey, said in a letter to administrators that IUPUI was not meeting the needs of minority students. Though Dorsey was on the forefront of the campaign, he said the letter represented the views of not just black students but also Asian, Latino and American Indian students, as well. \n"It's not right when a black organization can get rejected from funding almost immediately but another predominantly white organization can request funding and get it almost immediately through loopholes (IUPUI) uses to exclude minority groups," Dorsey said. "Everything gets swept under the rug and makes us seem like one big happy diverse family." \nIn addition to the funds and degree program, Dorsey's letter also said students want a black culture center, sensitivity training for administrators and more black faculty.\n"IU has a multi-cultural center. They have an African-American studies program," Dorsey said. "The advantages that these other universities have, IUPUI does not. Yet they are making an outward appearance of diversity at a campus by putting pictures of minorities on their brochures and painting images of minority students on their buildings." \nDespite the recent controversy, black leaders at IUB still feel content with the resources the University has provided them, they said. The Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center at IU has a library full of books pertaining to African studies, meeting and conference rooms and an auditorium for students to utilize. The Black Student Union, among other organizations, holds meetings there. \n"The value that our culture center at IU has added to our University and our life and the African Studies program has been beneficial both academically and socially," Wade said. "Having a safe haven for minority students on a campus is important, and the faculty at IUPUI should definitely look into having one." \nNeither Dorsey nor Wade think a lawsuit will be pursued. As long as demands are met, communication is kept open and officials can show they appreciate minority students at IUPUI, no further action will be taken, Dorsey said. \n"I'm proud of Dominic (Dorsey) for what he's doing," Wade said. "I don't believe it'll come to the point of a lawsuit, but if it does, we will support him with that." \nIUPUI officials in a response to Dorsey's letter contended that his "request for results is reasonable, and (they) are committed to working with (him) and with other fellow students, staff and faculty to respond." \nIn their response, officials outlined ways they will work meet each of the demands.\nDorsey said the group is considering the administration's response and is waiting to see if it will translate into actions. \n"He's looking for dialogue and action and letting the IUPUI family know that there are a group of students that feel the University could be a better place for them," said Karen Whitney, vice chancellor for student life and diversity at IUPUI. "Right now we are looking for feedback for how to make IUPUI a more diverse place. It was very appropriate for these students to go ahead and contribute and provide the information they did."\nIUPUI's Student Life and Diversity Web site currently offers a place for students to offer feedback on how to improve the school and provide better for all students. Anyone can pitch ideas, Whitney said.