In a letter to the ISU community on Friday, President Steven Leath said he acknowledges that acts of racism and discrimination occur at Iowa State and said that ending discrimination is one of his priorities.

Leath said the incident during which student Jovani Rubio’s poster was ripped during a protest during the Cy-Hawk game and the following open forum in September partly organized by Students Against Bigotry, now known as Latinos United For Change, proved that “racism, bigotry, discrimination, and marginalization are happening on the Iowa State campus.”

“The forum provided me an opportunity to listen, learn, and feel – to truly understand what some of our minority students, faculty, and staff have endured; and it underscored the importance of empathy and action,” Leath said in the letter sent out in an email. 

Since the Sept. 30 open forum, Leath said he and administrators have addressed issues by (excerpt from the letter):

1. Immediately following the Discussion on Racism, Diversity, and Inclusion, I charged my senior staff to compile recommendations from the university community. The email address[email protected] was provided at the forum to submit concerns or recommendations.

2. Oct. 5, we launched the process to develop the university’s new Strategic Plan. I named the Strategic Plan Steering Committee and charged them to develop a plan that features four overarching goals, including one specifically focused on ensuring a welcoming, safe and inclusive campus environment.

3. Oct. 6, Latinos United for Change (LUCHA) provided a list of grievances and needs and solutions to improve the campus environment pertaining to ISU Police, recruitment and retention of Latino students, financial assistance for Latino students and other minorities, ensuring a diverse faculty and staff, training, and representation on campus. One other suggestion was submitted regarding the naming of Catt Hall.

4. Oct. 15, I appointed Dr. Reginald Stewart as the university’s first Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion.

5. Oct. 22 – Nov. 11, The Strategic Plan Steering Committee was finalized and six strategic planning subcommittees were established, including one focused specifically on initiatives that ensure a welcoming, safe, and inclusive campus environment. Subcommittee nominations were solicited and evaluated, and a total of 95 members were appointed, including members of LUCHA and other minority groups.

6. Nov. 5, I charged Student Affairs leadership to work closely with LUCHA and evaluate the needs and solutions which they provided.

7. Nov. 11, LUCHA met with the Senior Vice President for Student Affairs, Dean of Students, and Student Government to evaluate and discuss their recommendations.

8. Nov. 18, First public forum held to collect university-wide input on the next Strategic Plan.

9. Nov. 18, Senior Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students met for the second time with LUCHA and Student Government.

10. Nov. 19, Pursuant to LUCHA’s recommendations, ISU Police assigned Officer Dwight Hinson as liaison to Multicultural Student Affairs to establish a strong partnership with Iowa State’s multicultural community. We anticipate adding a second multicultural officer position in the near future. 

11. In Progress, Pursuant to LUCHA’s recommendations, ISU Police are developing a plan to expand the safety escort service and changes will be implemented by spring. In September, four dispatchers were hired to solely handle safety escort calls.

12. In Progress, Pursuant to LUCHA’s recommendations, University Museums has developed a plan to relocate multicultural artwork in the Senior Vice President for Student Affairs Office to more visible areas on campus. In addition, University Museums has outlined three initiatives that I have agreed to fund:

• Diversity in Art Course: A discussion-based course that utilizes the Art on Campus and University’s Permanent Collections as a catalyst for discussion about issues of diversity and inclusion.
• Student Curated Exhibition: In cooperation with the Multicultural Student Center, students will be invited to curate a biannual exhibition for the Reiman Gallery of the Christian Peterson Art Museum on central campus. 
• Multicultural Art Exhibition: University Museums will present an exhibition by a multicultural artist who uses art to present issues of diversity. The exhibition will also include public programs and will be incorporated into curriculum across campus.

These steps are in addition to the university’s extensive ongoing diversity and inclusion efforts.

Student Affairs leadership has provided detailed information to LUCHA of the university’s current efforts pertaining to:

• ISU Police,
• Recruitment and retention of Latino students,
• Financial assistance for Latino students and other minorities,
• Ensuring a diverse faculty and staff,
• Training,
• Representation on campus,
• ISU Extension and Outreach, and
• Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT)

Leath said the way to change a campus climate is through inclusiveness involving many campus administrators and leaders. 

Other goals detailed include training of all faculty on diversity, but the letter did not detail when the training would occur. Leath also said new additional training would be developed and implemented if necessary. 

“This training will also help faculty and staff establish procedures and protocols for creating a welcoming, inclusive environment. I would like to thank all faculty, staff, and students who have completed the university’s Title IX and harassment training,” Leath said. 

He also said that the vice president for diversity and inclusion will work with departments to address issues when they arise.

Another change to be implemented includes an evaluation of student orientation programs to include “culturally dynamic opportunities for students to engage with one another.”

Leath also asked that student clubs and organizations be conscious of creating an inclusive atmosphere.

“Acts of racism, bigotry, discrimination, and marginalization have no place on college campuses or in society, but we cannot ignore the fact that they are happening and Iowa State is not immune,” Leath said in the letter.

“The reality is there are students, faculty, and staff on college campuses across the country, including here at Iowa State, who do not feel completely accepted, welcome, or safe. We must acknowledge this openly and candidly. We must work together to change this reality by taking action every day to reinforce a culture of inclusion and respect that upholds freedom of speech and expression in a way that fosters open discussion and civil discourse.”