Four years after a racial epithet was discovered in a notebook in the Emporia State School of Library and Information Management and a week after two lawsuits against ESU on grounds of racism and retaliation were resolved, the university is taking stock of its diversity, equity and inclusion plan rolled out two years ago after several years of development.
Emporia State’s public effort began in the fall 2015 semester with student forums and focus groups, with a draft unveiled in spring 2016 and the final rendition rolled out during the spring 2017 semester, including an executive summary and five overarching goals:
*Improving university access and student persistence to increase the diversity of the ESU community
*Increase and enhance diversity-related educational opportunities and experiences so students are prepared to live and work in diverse communities after they graduate
*Develop and nurture learning communities that promote diversity, equity and inclusion
*Ensure accountability of the plan by assessing goal accomplishment and strategy effectiveness
*Develop and maintain a campus climate and culture where diversity, equity and inclusion are core values.
Vice President for Student Affairs Jim Williams says the points of emphasis and other changes are significant.
Williams calls the feedback from students and others “foundational.”
Last week, a jury dismissed former professor Melvin Hale’s $10 million lawsuit against several administrators, while the judge that oversaw the bench trial in the case of Hale’s wife, Angelica Hale, herself a former ESU employee, ruled in favor of Hale — but awarded her $1 instead of the $10 million she sought.
The Hales’ concerns came to light after a racial epithet was found on a notebook in the School of Library and Information Management in April 2015. When asked whether the situation with the Hales played a role in how the university developed its diversity policy, Williams said those discussions have been underway on campus for most of this decade.
KVOE News has reached out to the Hales via social media with no comment. KVOE News has also reached out via email to representatives of Emporia State’s Black Student Union for perspective with no response.
Emporia State information links
Click here for a link to Emporia State University’s main information page.
Click here for the university’s 2018 update.
Click here for the university’s strategic plan.
