1. Change the names of all of the KKK related buildings on campus. DEADY Hall will be the first building to be renamed.
• We cannot and should not be subjugated to walk in any buildings that have been named after people that have vehemently worked against the Black plight, and plight of everyone working to achieve an equitable society.
• Allowing buildings to be named after members who support these views is in direct conflict with the university’s goal keep black students safe on campus.
• We demand this change be implemented by Fall 2016
2. Create an African-American Opportunities program that is comparable, in scope and impact, to the Opportunities program for the Latino student population and community.
• We strongly believe that having an African-American opportunities program which will feature participation and outreach by Black UO students is the best way of connecting with prospective Black students as well as the Black community.
• We demand that the individuals that lead the African-American Opportunities program identify as Black/African-American. This format is suited to cater to the unique needs of black students in particular. Such a format is demonstrated in the outreach program currently offered for the Latino student body/community and we believe a comparable format will work for African-American student body/community.
• We demand that all participating students identify as Black/African-American.
• We demand that this program be autonomous and separate from UO Orientation and Ambassador Program
• We demand that this program be totally separate from the Center for Multicultural Academic Excellence (CMAE)
• We demand to be on the hiring committee of the prospective advisor and lead faculty of this program
• We demand that all of the Black student outreach participants receive financial compensation for their time and effort.
• We demand that this program be implemented by Fall 2016
3. Commit to creating a Funding Resource and Scholarship initiative that is designed exclusively to support and meet the unique needs of students that identify as Black/African-American.
• The Diversity Excellence Scholarship is NOT enough.
• Due to the state/national population imbalance, it is simply unfair for Black students to compete with low income white students and students who identify as Hispanic/Latino for the same scholarships.
• We demand a commitment to working to secure funding for this initiative by Fall 2016 and demand implementation by Fall 2017.
4. Commit to having Ethnic Studies 101 as a graduation requirement.
• The current multicultural requirement is not enough. The ethnic studies specific requirement will require students to learn about the importance of United States history in the context of social inequality and injustice, while emphasizing the often overlooked histories of African-American as well as the histories of other underrepresented sub-groups in the United States.
• Ethnic Studies 101 is a critical course that teaches students the importance of diversity in the United States. Without taking this course, students are not sufficiently prepared with basic cultural competence skills to navigate the diversifying world.
• We are committed to working with the Faculty Senate and implementing this demand.
• We demand that this be mandatory for all incoming students by Fall 2016
5. Commit to creating an Academic Residential Community (ARC) that will feature African-American history/Oregon Black Diaspora.
• This residential community is a great way for Black students to connect with other Black students and foster a relationship with Black student organizations such as Black Women of Achievement, Black Student Union, Black Male Alliance, African Student Association, Black Law Student Association, and Black Greek Life.
• This residential community will increase the students’ understanding of African-American history and foster a positive relationship with Black faculty, as well as the past and present Black residents of Eugene.
• We demand that this initiative be implemented by Fall 2016
6. Commit to hiring an African-American advisor/retention specialist as well as Black faculty across all academic disciplines, especially major UO departments such as Architecture, Business, Education, Math, and Science departments.
• Have a minimum of 2-3 Black students on each departments hiring committee, including Center for Multicultural Academic Excellence (CMAE).
• Many Black students at the UO have experienced racist sentiments from their respective departments.
• A rise in African-American advisors/retention specialist as well as faculty will help decrease racist sentiments and lead to an increased retention rate for Black students.
• We demand a commitment to this initiative by Fall 2016 and demand implementation by Fall 2017.
7. Create a substantial endowment fund and support system to FUND AND OPEN a Black Cultural Center.
• Commit to helping find and fund a space directly on campus.
• A cultural center is a place with sufficient space to function as 1) a classroom to teach courses such as African-American history, and 2) a meeting space for black student organizations. This cultural center should also have room for art and artifacts that pertain to black history.
• This will be akin to one that exists at Oregon State University. Most importantly, space will be place for ALL students to go and learn about Black history.
• We demand a commitment to this initiative by Fall 2016 and demand implementation by Fall 2017.
8. Commit to creating a Black Student Leadership Task Force.
• This Student Leadership Task Force should be comprised of three branches: 1. Black Students.
2. Black Alumni. 3. Black Faculty and Staff.
• We have established the Black Student branch. As we look to establish the Black Alumni and Black Faculty and Staff branch, we request and expect your unwavering support.
• We demand a commitment to this initiative by Fall 2016 and demand implementation by Fall 2017.
9. Commit to conducting seminars and workshops by bringing in a black faculty from a peer institution who specializes in Black history and contemporary black issues.
• Commit to 6 seminars/workshops each school year.
• We demand that this initiative be implemented by Fall 2016
10. Commit to creating a Student Advisory Board for The Office of Equity & Inclusion and Center for Multicultural Academic Excellence (CMAE).
• We expect the advisory board to consist of students of color.
• We expect the advisory board to be comprised of Black Students at UO. Moreover, we expect black student representation to be equal to the other under-represented student populations under CMAE
• This will allow Black students to be involved and hold administration accountable for the hiring of staff and faculty as well as the overall turnover within CMAE.
• We demand that this initiative be implemented by Fall 2016
11. A commitment to immediate change of Fraternity & Sorority Life Baseline Standards for University recognition.
• The following is one of the Chapter Requirement for Recognition at the University of Oregon: A University of Oregon recognized Fraternity or Sorority must consist of 5 or more University of Oregon Incidental Fee paying students. Additionally, Oregon Fraternity Sorority Life (OSFL) does not recognize city wide or metropolitan chapters and therefore, all chapters must be based and chartered exclusively at UO.
• This regulation is directly and structurally targeting Historically Black Fraternity and Sororities. In turn it is affecting the admission and retention of Black students at the UO.
• We are demanding that the UO OSFL reduce the number of UO Incidental Fee Paying students to 1. Moreover, we are demanding that the UO OSFL recognize city wide or metropolitan Black Fraternity and Sorority chapters.
• We are demanding that the UO administration, led by President Schill, fully support our effort in changing the aforementioned regulation.
• We demand a commitment to this initiative by Spring 2016 and demand implementation by Fall 2017.
12. Commit to immediately keeping and publishing data on efforts to increase Black student acceptance, retention, and SAFETY.
• We demand a commitment to this initiative by Winter 2016 and demand implementation by Fall 2017.