The Black Student Union at CSU Fullerton strongly puts forth the following demands to the California State University, Fullerton President Framrose Virjee.
Given the hostile racial climate throughout Cal State Fullerton and a multitude of issues directly affecting the well being of Black students here at CSUF, we as concerned leaders of the campus community have created this list of demands out of true concern for the health of current and future Black students here at CSUF. It is our belief that President Virjee must be held accountable in addressing the structural deficiencies in institutional support for Black students on this campus.
“For such a hateful act to have occurred with such little remorse shows the culture and climate of the University. Cal State Fullerton prides itself on caring about diversity and yet it has failed to put diversity into action with regard to its Black students.” -- Bethany Whittaker, President of CSUF Black Student Union
Our demands are as follows:
1. We demand an allocation of $150,000 to fully fund the Afrikan Black Coalition Conference to be hosted at California State University, Fullerton. This will allow space and opportunity for Black students on this campus and 15 other California campuses to partake in community amongst one another as well as display the support for the Black community on campus from university officials. The Afrikan Black Coalition is a statewide conference that brings Black students from all over California to discuss campus climate, recruitment and retention strategies, conduct political education and develop campaigns. The Black students on campus have not received the proper support in regards to funding for this conference. The Black Student Union requests full support for this conference.
2. We demand an aggressive recruitment of Black faculty and staff in disciplines and departments outside of the African-American Studies Department. Moreover, we also demand an increase in the support for the African-American Studies Department as a whole. We demand at least 6% faculty in a tenured track positions on campus be Black-identified within the next four years, with each year steadily increasing by 1.5%. There is an inadequate number of Black staff and faculty at CSU Fullerton. This is especially relevant to the retention of Black students because the overall campus climate is racially hostile to Black students, and the presence of the current Black staff and faculty has been imperative in the retention of those of us who are still here.
3. We demand that the “Black Student Success Initiative” Plan drafted by Associated Students, Incorporated be implemented in its entirety with full funding from the President’s office. We maintain that none of the funding that is necessary to address our demands comes from the Student Affairs Division. The priority shift we are demanding must be at the institutional and structural level. There is no will power and concerted efforts being put forth by the University to recruit and retain Black students by the University as evidenced by our very low representation of 1.8% at CSUF.
4. We demand the hiring of two full-time Black psychologists at CSUF. We maintain that the funding for this (which includes recruitment expenses) does not come from Student Affairs Division for the reasons stated above. Currently, there is a critical need as we have no Black Psychologists on campus. We as Black students need psychologists who share similar experiences in terms of racial discrimination and in dealing with the racially hostile campus climate at this University.
5. We demand an annual scholarships budget of $250,000 to be raised and funded by the President’s office, and disbursed by the African American Resource Center to go to Black students with the highest need. This will help ensure the retention of our Black students and reduce the financial burden of seeking higher education.
6. We demand an allocation of $100,000 for the creation of a peer-led mentoring program through the African American Resource Center. This program will assist with transitioning Black students to campus, assisting with Black student retention.
7. We demand public support letter from President Framrose Virjee for the advancement of AB 1460, which will make Ethnic Studies a CSU requirement. Ethnic studies courses provide the perspectives
8. We demand Phi Sigma Kappa Fraternity be suspended indefinitely due to the disregard of the campus values. Fraternity and sorority members are a reflection of their organization. Often times members are isolated and scapegoated from the organization the member during these situations so the organization can avoid responsibility.
9. We demand the University amend the rules and policies of expulsion in regards to Student Life and Leadership at California State University, Fullerton, to include racial crimes and discrimination against all students, specifically Black students. Perpetrators of the code of conduct should feel the full weight of the emotional trauma experienced by victims of these hateful acts.
10. We demand a Black floor in campus-housing within the construction of the newly implemented residential halls that will ensure the safety and community protection of Black students. Black students need communal spaces within housing to ensure their safety and well-being.
11. We demand robust diversity training for Fraternity and Sorority Life.
Historically white fraternities and sororities often lack the cultural competence and knowledge needed to interact with people with marginalized identities, specifically National Pan-Hellenic Council and Multi-Cultural Greek Council. Additionally, the staffing within Fraternity and Sorority Life needs to be reviewed to ensure that students with marginalized identities, specifically those affiliated with NPHC and MGC feel supported and empowered.
12. We demand that President Virjee provide his response in writing to these demands to the Black Student Union no later than Friday Oct. 25th at Noon.
The Black Student Union is sending out this press release because we want to inform the CSUF student body of the steps we are taking to address issues of discrimination that we as Black students face at the university and what we as the Black Student Union are doing to ensure a more inclusive environment and establish true infrastructure, respect and support for the underserved Black students, staff, and faculty.
Black Student Union
California State University, Fullerton
