We recognize that HSU has attempted to improve conditions for students of color. Those efforts are appreciated; however, they are insufficient and do not meet the needs of the students they are designed to support. We believe that Humboldt State could be a leader for racial justice within the CSU system if the university implements the changes we are asking for today. Students of color at HSU are experiencing real and ongoing systemic oppression, yet their voices are not being heard. The experiences, concerns and unique insights of students of color are not valued by the university administration. We expect the university to start including students of color in all campus efforts to fight structural and systemic racism and when making decisions designed to meet their own needs. This work cannot be done without starting here. Students must be included in the process of designing solutions for the problems they face every day.
Student concerns must be heard, accepted, and validated by the administration. One step in hearing student voices and validating their concerns is your immediate response to the actions we are requesting from you today. We demand that HSU step up and honor the commitments
made in their mission, vision and values statements by taking action in the following ways: Support students of color to be active participants in university decisions that affect them Increase efforts to educate staff on diversity, equity and inclusion
Increase effort to hire and retain a more diverse university faculty staff
Allocate funding for a diverse array of programs to support the vocalized needs of students of color
Use funds gained from being designated a Hispanic-Serving Institution to directly benefit the Latinx student population based on their vocalized needs
Implement a ZERO Tolerance policy for hate speech and hate crimes on campus
Release a public statement acknowledging and discussing the systemic oppression and racism within the university
We hope to see these changes enacted soon and to see the university administration accept this invitation to start a conversation with their student body to break down systemic barriers on campus.
Attached are the signatures of students, alumni and Humboldt County community members who show support for these demands.
In solidarity,
community are tired of those turning a blind eye to injustice. We will continue to stand.