Members of Ohio University’s Black Student Union met last night to voice their concerns about the firing of “prominent” multicultural directors.
About 50 people gathered and shared their problems with the Office of Multicultural Student Access and Retention’s reorganization process, which has left three directors without jobs during the past two years. Some of the attendees were high school students who were there to discuss their financial aid opportunities at OU.
Most recently, OMSAR announced that Stacey Brinkley, interim director of the office, will be laid off in June. Brinkley’s salary this year is $95,481.
Chrysten Crockett, a senior and president of the student union, said she wants current and future multicultural students to have the family support system that OMSAR administrators such as Brinkley and former assistant director Greta Oliver provided.
“Every year, one or two prominent administrators are getting cut,” Crockett said. “What is going to become of the OMSAR office if they’re not here? Maybe students won’t come back because those administrators won’t be here.”
Crockett and other student union members met with Brian Bridges, vice provost for Diversity, Access and Equity, almost two weeks ago to discuss their concerns.
“We spoke with Dr. Bridges, and he really didn’t give us any solid answers as to what they were going to do to prevent this from happening in the future,” Crockett said.
Crockett told attendees to, “Keep your eyes and ears open because we are not just going to sit on this.”
Student Senate President Jesse Neader dropped by the meeting to suggest that multicultural students send a letter to OU President Roderick McDavis.
“You guys are making headway, and I would really encourage you guys to start with this because you guys really do make a big difference on this campus,” Neader said.
Several of the attendees described their relationship with the fired administrators as familial.
Black Affairs Commissioner Nicole Ntumba said she was close to Oliver and felt hurt to see her go because she knew she could go to her with personal and professional problems.
Despite student concerns, Bridges said he was confident in the direction that OMSAR is going. So far, the office’s reorganization has saved more than $72,000.
“The decision was made in order to create the money necessary to reinvest in LINKS (a peer-mentoring program),” Bridges said. “If anything, we’re trying to reinforce that office to make it one of the lead offices in student retention and success.”
OMSAR will create a search committee to fill the director position and will happily take student nominations from the Black Student Union, Bridges said.
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