Frequently Asked Questions
Just for kicks, we are answering some of the frequently asked questions we have received after the Unveiling of the 2nd Floor of Coffman Memorial Union.
Have other questions? Contact us. We will attempt to respond to every question or comment; however, we are busy folks. Whether we respond or not is up to our discretion.
Q: Why did you have to be so rude?
A: We were not rude. The student cultural centers exist because students took over Morrill Hall, and we celebrate that legacy. We are students, staff, and faculty at the University, and every year, we address the university through the “proper” channels of communication – attending meetings, attending forums, submitting documented requests, and engaging in dialogue – and nothing happens. It became necessary to publicly question and hold the administration accountable for its decisions.
Q: Who in the student cultural centers is supporting you?
A: We are questioning our administration’s exploitation of the “diversity” narrative: One that talks about diversity without having to talk about diversity. The conversation surrounding the student cultural centers is only one aspect where we recognize the administration’s failure to properly support students, staff and faculty from underrepresented communities. We welcome endorsement from the student cultural centers, but we also understand that publicly stating their support can have real consequences for them (financial and otherwise). We also welcome and invite dialogue with the student cultural centers, but if you want to know if a student cultural center is supporting us, you will have to ask them.
Q: You don’t know what you’re talking about. You don’t know the real history.
A: While this is not a question, we will address it. We know exactly what we’re talking about. We are working hard to preserve our history: A history of resistance, a history that is unlikely to make it to official University documents, a history that will never be told on multicultural nights by the keynote speakers. We have a historical memory that we are fighting to preserve and maintain honest; several of us were a part of the Whose University? Campaign of 2010-11, and we continue to be in conversation with former Whose U? leaders.
Q: Why not just attend the President’s office hours?
A: We invite you to ask students and/or organizations who have done this. It’s not pretty. We also invite you to ask staff members who lead the clerical union about their annual conversations with the administration – that should shed some light to this question.
Q: I like the second floor, there’s nothing wrong with it.
A: Did you have a chance to be physically present on the second floor before the renovations took place? If so, we are almost certain you would be able to tell the difference. Also, our questions go beyond the remodeling efforts, as previously stated.
Q: Whose University? was about educating people, not about confrontation.
A: Whose University? implemented an education campaign that was crucial to pursue structural change. This campaign asked critical questions about whose voices were privileged at this University, and these questions were anything but apologetic. You may find out more by visiting their YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/WhoseUniversity We would like to also note that Whose University? leaders have been a part of our conversation from the beginning, and stand in solidarity with us. They support our current efforts and methods.
Have other questions? Contact us. We will attempt to respond to every question or comment; however, we are busy folks. Whether we respond or not is up to our discretion.
Q: Why did you have to be so rude?
A: We were not rude. The student cultural centers exist because students took over Morrill Hall, and we celebrate that legacy. We are students, staff, and faculty at the University, and every year, we address the university through the “proper” channels of communication – attending meetings, attending forums, submitting documented requests, and engaging in dialogue – and nothing happens. It became necessary to publicly question and hold the administration accountable for its decisions.
Q: Who in the student cultural centers is supporting you?
A: We are questioning our administration’s exploitation of the “diversity” narrative: One that talks about diversity without having to talk about diversity. The conversation surrounding the student cultural centers is only one aspect where we recognize the administration’s failure to properly support students, staff and faculty from underrepresented communities. We welcome endorsement from the student cultural centers, but we also understand that publicly stating their support can have real consequences for them (financial and otherwise). We also welcome and invite dialogue with the student cultural centers, but if you want to know if a student cultural center is supporting us, you will have to ask them.
Q: You don’t know what you’re talking about. You don’t know the real history.
A: While this is not a question, we will address it. We know exactly what we’re talking about. We are working hard to preserve our history: A history of resistance, a history that is unlikely to make it to official University documents, a history that will never be told on multicultural nights by the keynote speakers. We have a historical memory that we are fighting to preserve and maintain honest; several of us were a part of the Whose University? Campaign of 2010-11, and we continue to be in conversation with former Whose U? leaders.
Q: Why not just attend the President’s office hours?
A: We invite you to ask students and/or organizations who have done this. It’s not pretty. We also invite you to ask staff members who lead the clerical union about their annual conversations with the administration – that should shed some light to this question.
Q: I like the second floor, there’s nothing wrong with it.
A: Did you have a chance to be physically present on the second floor before the renovations took place? If so, we are almost certain you would be able to tell the difference. Also, our questions go beyond the remodeling efforts, as previously stated.
Q: Whose University? was about educating people, not about confrontation.
A: Whose University? implemented an education campaign that was crucial to pursue structural change. This campaign asked critical questions about whose voices were privileged at this University, and these questions were anything but apologetic. You may find out more by visiting their YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/WhoseUniversity We would like to also note that Whose University? leaders have been a part of our conversation from the beginning, and stand in solidarity with us. They support our current efforts and methods.