Ball State University closed Monday to recognize Martin Luther King Jr. Day for the second time in the school's history. Some students, however, don't think the university is doing enough to recognize the memorable day.
Because there were no on-campus events commemorating the holiday, some members of the Black Student Association questioned the school's commitment to diversity. At Tuesday's BSA meeting, senior Jared Dortch said the university needs to follow through on their stated goals.
"If you put yourself out as a school striving for diversity, you should make efforts to show diversity," Dortch said.
The second goal of the school's strategic plan deals with the issue of diversity. The plan says the school "will promote a learning climate that values civility, diversity, multicultural awareness..."
Dortch said the university's failure to provide MLK events showed a lack of commitment.
"It's a slap in the face to the African American community," Dortch said.
BSA president Michelle Hudson isn't putting all the blame on the university, though.
Instead, Hudson said the problem was a "misunderstanding between two organizations," one being Ball State, the other, BSA.
Last year BSA had an MLK committee, which was responsible for planning Martin Luther King Jr. Day activities. This year, Hudson said Ball State formed it's own committee. Hudson said the misunderstanding occurred when the two organizations didn't communicate about the holiday. Hudson said she found out two weeks ago there were no MLK Day activities on campus.
A literacy fair at Muncie Central High School and a commemorative service at Christ Temple in downtown Muncie were among the two events advertised to students. While Hudson doesn't place blame on the university, she does think the lack of activities on campus leads to lack of student observation.
"It sends a message: 'If the university doesn't do anything, why should I?" she said.
Hudson said BSA can't be solely responsible for bringing activities. She said the $1,000 allotted for the holiday is not enough to provide many options.
Hudson said a lesson was learned from this.
"No one should assume that someone else will be responsible," she said.
Members of Ball State's Unity Week committee were not able to be reached at presstime.
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