On March 26, an email from the President of Michigan Technological University caused many students to think “what happened?”
The email said, “In the last few weeks, there have been several reports of slurs, insults, and disrespectful behavior toward individuals and groups on campus… Some of these incidents have left clusters of students feeling unsafe on campus. This is troubling because fear has a negative impact on people’s ability to learn.”
In the midst of these accusations, President Glenn Mroz also stressed the importance of being kind and helping one another. “Because after all, it is your ability to work together with different people that defines your future,” he says.
Three incidents were the root cause of the email. The first involved slurs being yelled from a local bus driver as he was driving through Daniell Heights Apartments, the home for many students from around the world, mostly Indian and Chinese. The second was racial and homophobic slurs on white boards on campus. “I would prefer not to go into the specifics of the incidents. These people are simply looking for attention, and trying to make a point,” says President Mroz. The third incident was about a flyer posted by an unregistered student organization or group, announcing a Gay Pride March at the same time as the March For Our Lives March held on the same Saturday. This left members of the LGBTQIA+ community feeling scared and uneasy.
There have also apparently been cases of fires and bomb threats on campus; these were quietly taken care of by the executive team and diversity staff. “The goal of my email was to keep things in perspective. “ says President Mroz.
So what happens next? The Center for Diversity and Inclusion’s general approach is community education. Kelly Raffaelli, Director of CDI, says, “When an incident happens in the residence hall, a meeting is called and the issues are discussed with the residents. CDI staff work closely with Housing and the Residence Life staff to provide workshops and training as well. The incident with the fake flyer was addressed immediately. We met with a group of the students to hear their concerns. I communicated with the LGBTQIA+ student organization letting them know that it was being investigated by Public Safety. Public Safety also provided an increased presence at the March on Saturday.”
President Mroz is moving on after years of service to the Michigan Tech community. When asked if he had any pearls of wisdom to share after years of experience, he says “Be kind, and help one another. No one can accomplish greatness on their own.” He also adds in his email that we must work to exemplify our values statement, inspiring Community, Scholarship, Possibility, Accountability and Tenacity.
From the looks of it, we are in the middle of a battle that hasn’t yet ended. It has been over fifty years since the Montgomery Bus Boycott incident, and the famous “I have a dream” speech by Martin Luther King. Rosa Parks was even the guest of honor at one of Michigan Tech’s graduation ceremonies. But breaking inertia and latent natural tendencies such as those expressed on campus can be an arduous, and prolonged endeavor. We take one step at a time, together.
