UNC Charlotte Addresses Diversity Concerns

CHARLOTTE, NC — UNC Charlotte is responding to concerns about diversity among its student leaders.  Days after controversial comments by school staff members went viral, the university is promising immediate action. 

Students at UNC Charlotte have been speaking out since the comments were made this week by three white student activities staff members.  School officials say the comments go against what the school stands for, so now they are taking action to heal from the incident.

“I was appalled because we trust these administrators, and for them to say things like that, we were hurt,” said Angelica Beverly.

Senior Angelica Beverly is a student leader in two groups at UNC Charlotte.  She says staff comments made earlier this week suggesting there are too many black students in leadership is insulting.

Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Art Jackson spoke out Friday saying they took immediate action.

“These staff members were interviewed by their supervisors and other members of the administration,” said Jackson.  “They admitted to making the statements; they accepted responsibility and made personal apologies to students and groups involved.”

Jackson says the staff members’ intention was to discuss including more students in different groups.

“But they talked about it in a way that offended students because they felt they were highlighting some groups but not other groups,” he said.

“The way they made it was isn’t an issue for diversification,” said Beverly.  “I think it was an issue for African Americans on this campus as leaders.”

Jackson says UNC Charlotte prides itself with being a diverse campus, so though the comments weren’t racial slurs, they also weren’t acceptable.

“The University is really sorry this event has occurred,” said Jackson.  “But also it is a teachable moment to make sure events like this don’t happen again in the future.”

And to ensure that they will be holding several workshops in the coming week.  Beverly says hopefully they will be taken seriously.

“Not just to rectify this situation, but to better UNC Charlotte as a University,” she said.

School officials say the first workshop will be a panel at McKnight Auditorium Monday night at 8pm.  The second will be a teach-in at Student Union at 5:30pm on Tuesday.