The Quinnipiac University handbook states: “Quinnipiac University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, gender, age, sexual orientation, national and ethnic origin, or disability status in the administration of its educational and admissions policies, employment policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletic programs or other University-administered programs.” Due to the three recent racial acts committed on campus, I expected the administration of the University to be more proactive in resolving these incidents. It seems to me, and many other students I have spoken with, that the administrators of Quinnipiac University are not interested in getting involved and ending these acts of obvious racism. As a community we need to voice our concerns about our inactive administration.
My roommate is a member of the Black Student Union (BSU), and has informed me that multiple groups of BSU members have tried to set up meetings with President John Lahey, and have had no cooperation or effort put forth by the President. As President of this University it is his job to know what is happening on campus and to interact with the student body. In the first issue of The Chronicle this year, President Lahey said, “I can’t think of anything new that we are doing specifically in response to these two things [the racial acts].” I am completely shocked to know that no other administrators or faculty members told Lahey that something needs to be done to stop these vicious actions. Lahey continued to add that as the campus grows there is a possibility that the university will experience additional incidents. As President, his responsibility to the students is to make sure acts like these don’t keep occurring. The fact that Lahey even said these incidents could happen again is an unacceptable comment made by a president of a university, and his apparent lack of concern is appalling.
As a community we need to isolate the students who are committing these acts of hatred and inform them that their narrow-mindedness will not be tolerated. If the administration is not concerned with these disturbing incidents, then as a student body we need to take action. We can’t stand by and watch our fellow students be discriminated against.
My roommate told me that she feels uncomfortable walking around campus by herself at night. Quinnipiac prides itself on being a safe environment for all students, and it’s a shame that she can’t feel comfort in a place she calls home. I can’t imagine what it would feel like not to feel safe here, and I would never want anyone to feel like they aren’t.
Until President Lahey decides this is a problem that deserves attention and that measures need to be taken, it is up to the students to make sure that no other hateful acts are committed.
