Minority students denounce ‘Western white evangelical culture’ at private Christian university
February 10, 2016
By Victor Skinner
SEATTLE – Students at Seattle Pacific University are demanding officials take immediate action to diversify the school’s staff, and to unravel its “Western white evangelical culture” that’s supposedly suppressing minorities.
“The current structure at SPU in all areas pertaining to student life, community involvement, faculty development, and internal relations, suppresses minority cultures and identities by perpetuating the notion that Western white evangelical culture is socially and theologically normative, thereby inhibiting the personal and communal development of minority students,” according to a “SPU Unity Petition” posted to iPetitions.com.
The demands include three overarching goals: to establish a “Chief Diversity Office;” required “justice and cultural credibility” for faculty, staff and student leaders; and hiring practices that benefit minorities.
“We understand that our demands are great. We acknowledge that there has been significant improvement in our recent history. We appreciate that there has been more conversation and we have hope for the future,” the petition reads.
“The goal of this petition is to convey the message that we are not satisfied. We affirm the good intentions of administration, but our recent interactions have made it clear that we remain unheard. We are willing to work with administration to see these goals accomplished, but that does not mean we are willing to wait.”
The detailed petition, which has garnered 515 signatures since it was launched yesterday, comes about a week after school officials held forums with students and staff to discuss racial issues at the private Christian campus of about 5,000 students, The Stranger reports.
SPU President Dan Martin announced at the meetings he plans to install a chief diversity officer in his leadership team, but said officials are still sorting out the responsibilities for the position, The Falcon, SPU’s student newspaper, reports.
“I would envision posting that (position) in this next cycle, of what would come out of the summer in these next few months, thinking about that, and (what) that role would look like, and then post that position,” Martin said.
Provost Jeff Van Duzer told students and staff at the meeting that “he was now becoming aware of the pain and anger regarding racial tensions around campus that he previously did not know existed to such an extent, according to The Falcon.
“I think I get the notion that they just need, initially, a place to say their story or what they’re feeling and have particularly someone who is white, male and in power to … really genuinely listen to them,” Van Duzer said. “And I’m trying.”
But the student petition seems to indicate officials aren’t trying hard enough.
A quote from Alex Gee starts the petition: “If students can’t change this campus, then stop lying to them that they can change the world.”
The petition threatens “various campus wide demonstrations” if school officials don’t form a search committee for a chief diversity officer by the end of the current school year, and hire and staff a Chief Diversity Office by the end of next school year.
The petition also demands student leaders, staff and faculty meet “cultural competency” requirements, and establish a system for students to anonymously report their classmates or professors for “inappropriate behavior or speech.”
In addition, petitioners want the school to create racially and gender diverse employment search committees that include students when filling faculty, staff and administrative positions. The search process must also include applications that require those applying to “include a narrative statement that explicitly details the candidate’s commitment to diversity and reconciliation.”
“The final group of candidates for all new hires need to reflect the University’s commitment to diversity,” the petition reads. “This generally means that the final candidates include at least one woman and one person of color in the final three candidates.”
Van Duzer told staff at the forums last week that he’s worked to connect with and understand minority faculty and staff, but said racial issues can be a politically correct balancing act that’s difficult to discuss for someone that’s never experienced serious racial problems, according to the Falcon.
“I will tell you honestly that those conversations are scary for me because I live in fear of saying something well-intentioned but insensitive because I just don’t know,” he said.
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