A live stream town hall meeting on June 18 concentrated on finding support for Black students and athletes and making NCC a safe and inclusive place for all.
Moderator Dr. Donnavieve Smith, associate professor of marketing and a member of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Task Force acknowledged the pain Black students have experienced, “whether on the playing field or classroom, walking down the streets, or just living in your dorms.” She acknowledged the meeting as a time to first, “own and embrace our collective failure.”
The meeting included questions from the Black Student Association, the African American Alumni Association, and any individuals. Most questions circled around exactly what is going to change and why it is taking so long.
“We could have done more to protect our Black students,” Smith said. The Board of Trustees Chair Jim McDermet, ’92, echoed this. The college was late in saying Black Lives Matter. They have been too reactive in dealing with issues of bias and prejudice, McDermet said.
What Black Lives Matter means
It was personal growth for President Troy Hammond that led him to champion the slogan Black Lives Matter. Black Lives Matter means, “A representation of 400 plus years of black lives not mattering in America. I think where we find ourselves today is grappling with the wake of slavery which is just washing over Black people in America continuing to this date in 2020.”
“The challenges are enormous and it’s a wait that I know, obviously not personally, weighs heavily on every single Black person in America,” Hammond said. Raising awareness about Black Lives Matter is only one use of the opportunity he is granted.
“I, as a white man in leadership of this institution, have a platform where I can make a difference and make a change. Black Lives Matter is about using that opportunity to make a difference and to improve, to improve the lives of black constituents on our campus,” Hammond said.
Bias incidents
The college also hopes to better support victims of bias incidences and hate crimes. The college website publishes these, most race-related. “It’s our responsibility to make the City of Naperville better aware… this stuff is happening in our community to our students. This is our home. And they should feel safe in their home,” said Dorothy Pleas, assistant dean of students and director of Multicultural Affairs and co-chair of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Task Force.
Athletics
Athletics was a prime topic of discussion, with many students wondering exactly what is going to change. Martin Sauer, vice president for Enrollment Management and Athletics, cites multiple meetings within the Athletic Department about diversity. A Diversity Council made up of both students and staff hopes to be proactive. A social media initiative aims to highlight student stories and individual strides for equality.
The Track and Field team is also fundraising to support the Black Student Association and has raised over $2,800 so far.
Listening sessions
In addition to the town hall meeting, listening sessions with President Hammond will be conducted throughout the next several weeks. Listening sessions will include talks with Black faculty and staff, Black students and athletes, student government and the Latinx student board.
“The bottom line is you have not felt supported, you have not felt heard, and you have not felt seen. Listening is pivotal, but it’s time to, “translate that to action” President Hammond says.
