In response to multiple reported incidents of racial discrimination over the past week, Elon University hosted a special College Coffee on Tuesday to address issues surrounding diversity on campus.
President Leo Lambert spoke to students, faculty and staff about embracing inclusion, along with honor, integrity and respect, as the foundation of the Elon University community. Lambert challenged the crowd that was gathered to bind together in creating such a campus.
"Your presence today is more eloquent than anything I can say this morning," Lambert said. "Today our community speaks its values by gathering here on our commons and saying, 'Not on our campus.'"
SGA Senators distributed stickers with the phrase "Not on our campus" to students as they approached the Phi Beta Kappa Commons for College Coffee.
Smith Jackson, vice president and dean of Student Life, told the audience he applauded the two African American students who stepped forward last week to report experiencing incidents of discrimination from racial slurs.
"These students, and all of you who came and supported them today, are causing a ripple that drives a new tide of understanding, acceptance, and celebration of differences on campus," Jackson said. "The richness of our community comes from the uniqueness of each individual member. Each of us is different."
Jackson also presented a challenge to students, urging them to consciously take action against instances of discrimination occurring around them.
"Just imagine the impact that we, as a university, could have if each person here today is unwilling to be a bystander when we see hate or injustice," he said.
Students representing Elon's Multicultural Center wore white T-shirts to distinguish themselves from the rest of the crowd on Tuesday. The students began vocalizing their concerns and questions to Lambert after the conclusion of Lambert and Jackson's planned remarks.
"What does a student do if this happens again, both at the incident and after?" asked senior Candice Blacknall, who was the first student to question Lambert at the event. "Is there a system in place to report these kinds of incidents, and is there an investigation that follows these incidents?"
Lambert told students that the most important thing to do as a victim of racial discrimination is to report the situation to Campus Police or Student Life.
After College Coffee, Blacknall spoke to a smaller crowd, telling them she felt many of their questions were still left unanswered.
"The question was what is going to be done after you (report) it?" Blacknall said. "That question is still not being answered."
Junior Jasmine Whaley said she also questioned the university's preparedness in responding to situations of racial discrimination.
"The fact of the matter is: we've never had this much diversity before at Elon" Whaley said. "They've never had to have these resources in place, so now there is no resource in place that can give a response."
In an email to students, faculty and staff Thursday night, Jackson said discussions would be ongoing between the students and himself. SGA representatives, Lambert, Leon Williams, director of the Multicutural Center and Brooke Barnett, faculty administrative fellow for diversity and global engagement will also be involved.
The answers to the most common questions will then be emailed Friday.