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WSU Topics: Nationwide unrest

George Floyd protest near the Wichita State University campus.

Wichita State stands with those who have been inflicted by injustice

The last few nights have clearly demonstrated the continued unrest and heartfelt anger over the many injustices placed upon men and women in the African American community. All of this comes at the same time when clear health disparities of our nation – especially for the African American population – have hit hard and with devastating results.

As a community, we are witnessing anger built up over hundreds of years and rekindled through unimaginable actions of our fellow Americans.

We must continue to remember how we have come to this place. But more importantly, we must ask ourselves as individuals, as a campus and as a nation: How do we come together in one unified loud voice and with deliberate non-violent actions to put a stop to inequality and injustice where it takes place and to whomever it affects?

We are confident that Wichitans of all races, faiths and backgrounds can come together in solidarity over the unquestioned value of respect and love for our African American Community.

Indeed, let us peacefully demonstrate our solidarity and support for every member of our society that faces discrimination and racism.

Moving forward in the future days, weeks and months, we will be asking a number of our Wichita State University campus leaders in our administration, faculty, staff and student body to help guide our institution into even stronger and deliberate conversations, engagement and action, both on our campus and within our community.

Until then, during this weekend, let us take time for reflection and hold in our thoughts and prayers the those who have been inflicted by injustice and explore our hearts for ways that we can each contribute to improving our shared human condition.

Dr. Jay Golden, President
Dr. Marche Fleming-Randle, Chief Diversity Officer
Wichita State University

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  • Protestors near Wichita State's campus.
  • Protestors outside the WPD Patrol North substation, near Wichita State.
  • Makin' Hay sculpture by Tom Otterness, located on WSU's campus.
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  • Quote from Dr. Marche Fleming-Randle.
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Statement from Teri Hall, Vice President of Student Affairs

The Division of Student Affairs sends this with broken hearts as we witness the Black/African American community hurting. In the past few weeks, we have seen the deaths of Ahmaud Arbery in Brunswick, Georgia, Breonna Taylor in Louisville, Kentucky, and George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota. As well as the events in New York where Christian Cooper, a black man out birdwatching, was threatened to have the police called on him by a white woman he asked to put her dog on a leash.

Wichita State University is not perfect, but the values for which we stand, the goals of diversity, equity, and inclusion for which we strive, must be embraced now more than ever. As stated by President Golden and Chief Diversity Officer Fleming-Randle this weekend, the Division of Student Affairs will be helping our students engage in “stronger and deliberate conversations, engagement and action.” Next week we will offer a space for our community to process recent events through the ODI and CAPS’ Real Talk Intersection Dialogues.

We want our students to feel safe. We want you to feel heard and to feel loved. In these difficult times, we understand a portion of our community is grieving, carrying anger, and confusion. As a campus community, we must be brave, and reach out to people of color in our network to let them we are here to listen, to support, and to help. We condemn discrimination and the abuse of systems of power in all forms and will continue to make the Wichita State University community truly inclusive. We will continue our commitment to center, uplift, and support our communities of color.

Our Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI), Counseling and Prevention Services (CAPS), and all of our Student Affairs staff members are available to you. If you are a student and need support, please be sure to reach out to our staff at CAPS. As always you can feel free to reach out to me at vpstudentaffairs@wichita.edu.

Statement from the Wichita State University Student Government Association

There has been countless and senseless murders committed against members of the black community. We as an Association are disgusted at the systemic racism within our country.

First we say BLACK LIVES MATTER. SGA is here to hear our black students and support them in any and every way possible.

In order to make our campus and community a more inclusive, safe and equitable space for all, we plan to have conversations with the University Police Department, along with administration, faculty and staff.

Change will be made.

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