Statements regarding racial injustice across the United States and on campus were released by President Houston Davis, the Faculty Senate, Staff Senate and Student Government Association on May 31.
In response to recent instances of racial injustice such as the killing of George Floyd, Ahmaud Aubrey and Breonna Taylor, Davis said, “For some in our society, these are current events and historical references, but for others — especially our friends and neighbors of color — this is their daily existence and constant fear. They should know that as members of the University of Central Arkansas community, they are safe. On the grounds of our campus, they are safe from violence and are valued members of our family. At our university, we stand for academic integrity, vitality, and diversity. We know that our diversity is our strength. We will not stand by in silence and inaction when any members of our family suffer.
Our students, faculty, and staff will respect and value each person’s dignity and rights. Those who would discriminate or hurt another person are on notice that our university community will not tolerate behavior that does not represent the values held dear by UCA.”
Alongside Davis’s statement was a longer message from SGA president Jamaal Lockings with four steps of a plan on how the senate will take action on the issue.
The action plan on how to make a change at the university from SGA said,
“1. Increasing channels of communication between SGA and traditionally black organizations on campus, not just in this time, but forever moving forward.
2. Releasing surveys to the UCA community pertaining to the black student experience on campus in order for us to increase our understanding and find ways to further assist in their times of vulnerability, and in their times of joy.
3. Collaborating with the UCA Police Department (PD) for the implementation of programs that will enhance understanding and relationships between UCA PDand our students, faculty and staff.
4. Connecting with the Conway Police Department in respect to student interactions off-campus.
Our motto ‘Students First’ has no stipulations on color, belief, religion, sexuality or ideology.”
Later on in his statement, Lockings said “I see you, I hear you, I am with you and I serve you.”
“I personally want to see some more awareness towards the way marginalized students are feeling on this campus,” Lockings said, explaining his aspirations for the university and SGA. “Also just taking it more seriously. I think marginalized students feel like their experiences are going to get swept under the rug just because it makes people uncomfortable to talk about that sort of discrimination and I don’t think that’s something we should be scared to talk about, because if we’re uncomfortable about talking about it, then we’re probably growing and learning from it. All-in-all, maybe an awareness campaign just to talk about those experiences and to educate people and spreading initiatives around the resources we have to help all those students.”
“This shouldn’t be political,” Lockings said about SGA’s response to racial injustice. He explained that the senate does not get involved in politics, but said he sees the issue in a different perspective.
“A social issue, a human rights issue, shouldn’t be political so that’s what sort of drove us to make the statement,” he said.
Continuing to explain SGA’s motivation behind releasing the statement, he said “We saw a lot of unrest, not only the nation, but the UCA community. Is this how we’re going to continue to be treated? Are students of color feeling devalued?…It just opened up this sort of history of injustices and people are just reflecting on that. So how are we going to help that?…Telling them that we do serve them as student government and to make sure that they know we serve them and here’s the steps we’re going to take. Hold us accountable and help us help you.
The university has taken on another battle. We have COVID-19 and then we’re dealing with correcting racial injustices, and I love that because even if it is somewhat overwhelming…I think it’s awesome that this is always going to be in the conversation. Every single department is looking at how to make sure every student feels welcomed and accepted.”
Lockings shared that he has plans to change the way SGA approaches issues such as human rights and hopes to leave them after his presidency.
“I think the period for SGA to sort of speak out about social issues is over, at least with me as president,” he said. “That’s not something I’m going to be quiet about. I’m certainly OK with taking the backlash that may come with that to what some people may see as a political opinion, but human rights isn’t a political opinion, and discrimination and racism isn’t something I’m willing to debate over. So while I am president, I want every marginalized group to know that I’m here to be their champion regardless of the backlash I will face for it…We’re not just going to have this social justice talk during the summer. We’re going to extend this well after my presidency because it will be in all of my transition documents.”
