Black student leaders at UC San Diego blasted Chancellor Mary Anne Fox and other college administrators in an emotionally charged campus forum. Students say the campus climate allows for racially offensive incidents to take place.
Some students broke down in tears while others yelled at Fox. The impromptu meeting follows several days of public outcry over a racially-themed party organized by UCSD students mocking black culture.
Black student leaders handed Fox a list of 32 demands. The demands include everything from creating a safe, central space for black students on campus to fully funding recruitment efforts for black students.
David Ritcherson is the president of UCSD's Black Student Union. He helped to pass out transfer and withdrawal applications during the heated exchange.
“Do you know how many students in my community are about to fill those out and leave this university?” Ritcherson asked. “Convince us to stay by funding our programs, Chancellor Fox.”
The forum was even more volatile due to another racially-charged incident that took place Thursday night.
UCSD students who operate an alternative newspaper called The Koala allegedly used racially offensive language during a program on the university's student-run TV station. UCSD's Associated Students has since shut down the student-run TV station.
Penny Rue is the vice chancellor of student affairs. She says these incidents have to stop.
“We have the moral high ground. It is repugnant and we will say that as clearly, as many ways as we need to. Not in our community -- racism not in our community,” Rue said.
Fox said she is reviewing the student demands and promises to take action. She called the incidents "outrageous" and "inappropriate" and said they will not be tolerated on campus.
