Ball State SGA establishes diversity commission after racist note is found
MUNCIE, Ind. (WISH) – Ball State University is establishing a Diversity and Multicultural Commission.
The move comes after a former student said they were the victim of a racial attack.
The commission will be within the Student Government Association. The current SGA executive board ran on the promise of creating the commission back in February.
The former student said he received a racist note at his home.
The student body president said their campus is open to everyone and that’s why this commission has been established just 10 days after the alleged attack.
“We can always assure that we can always work to improve, make our environment better,” said James Wells, student body president. “When I see something like that, I know for sure that we have a lot of improvement.
Last week Wells signed an executive order establishing the commission. The commission will meet once a month so different groups can talk about their concerns and differences, and work through them.
“We’re going to hear some things that we’ve never heard before. I’ve been in talks with our international groups on campus and they say that they have a difficult time to get attention,” said Wells.
“We need a place to at least feel comfortable and some stability especially at a school that’s predominately white, I guess,” said Alexandra Presley, a junior at the university.
The school has 21,000 students and according to the school’s Office of Institutional Effectiveness, just under 15% identify as ethnic minorities.
The school said they immediately investigated the former student’s claims and issued a statement:
Wells said the commission will ensure everyone has a place to bring their concerns.
“Not only the opportunity to be at the table and have their voices heard, but as well to collaborate and connect with other student organizations,” he said.
“As soon as you say something about it and speak up I think that it can get out there really fast to everyone at least,” said Presley.
The commission’s first meeting will be later this month. Wells says student political groups, and cultural groups will be invited to attend.
