With the administration working on finding a chief diversity officer by May, the Black Collegians of LOYNO are hoping this is not the only step taken to address diversity on campus.
In November 2015, Shawn Kelly, president of the Black Student Union, Armani Eady, president of the Living Our Vision Everyday Chapter of the National Association of Colored Women’s Clubs, and Allen Moret, president of Brothers for Progress, met with the Rev. Kevin Wildes, S.J., university president, to discuss the demands.
One of the demands was to hire a chief diversity officer to act as a resource for students of color to confide in. Later that month, Wildes announced that hiring a chief diversity officer will be included in the President’s Plan.
With the passing time between the announcement and the start of the second semester, the search for someone eligible to fit this position is underway.
In the email, Wildes explained what was needed to fit the position. According to the email, a qualified candidate needs to be able to be an open resource for students who experience any type of discrimination, provide a safe space for students to discuss and share with one another, and identify as a person of color as well.
Moret said every person involved had something to do with this change in university faculty.
“It is my own belief that when students unite for a cause and when they continue to voice their concerns, they will eventually be heard,” Moret said.
Kelly believed the decision to hire a chief diversity officer was good, but still had a few concerns for the administration.
“I’m worried about the process that’s happening. We just need more updates from the administration and not to just us, the people working on things behind the scenes, but to the student body,” Kelly said.
Eady said she felt positive about the whole process.
“I feel that we are gradually moving towards a more progressive Loyola. The fact alone that Father Wildes and the administration are taking the necessary steps to resolve student concerns is a start. Our campus is slowly but surely changing, and hiring a chief diversity officer is just the first step,” Eady said.
Even though they think this is a step in the right direction, all three students said that they will not be completely satisfied until they start seeing the change for themselves.
“I appreciate Father Wildes’ response; however, I will not be satisfied until I see a detailed action plan that aims to meet the demands created by a group of student leaders. I don’t want to see a Maroon editorial 20 years from now where students of color are still asking the university to meet previous demands set forth by the generations before them,” Moret said.
Until their ultimate goal is met, these student leaders continue to keep working for what they believe in.
“I do believe there is a lot more that the university can and will do within the provided timeline. So far, they’ve met our demands in a timely manner and I’m looking forward to seeing what else is in store for this campus,” Eady said.
