Instead of relying on others to solve social inequality problems on campus, some Ball State University students are searching for their own solutions.
"Every major civil rights movement was started by students," Derick Virgil, director of the Multicultural Center, said.
Students showed they understood the challenge of confronting discrimination by participating in an open forum Tuesday night at the L.A. Pittenger Student Center. About 100 students, faculty, staff and administrators participated in the forum.
The forum was created after at least five reported incidents of verbal harassment of black female students. Passing motorists yelled racial slurs at the women walking down McKinley Avenue at night.
Students such as senior Shaun Whitfield said they were angry at first, but now Whitfield said he wanted to deal with the problems and find solutions.
Other students agreed they had to take an active role in changing the community they live in. President Jo Ann Gora, Black Student Association President Devin Day and Asian American Student Association President Lily Tsay spoke during the opening remarks.
"We can talk about things as much as we want, but this is the first step to acting them out," Tsay said.
During the forum, students split into groups led by faculty and administration to discuss issues of social inequality.
The groups presented their ideas to the entire forum; however, the presentation time became an opportunity for anyone to stand up and speak.
"I thought the turnout was phenomenal," Tiffany Washington, assistant director of Student Organizations and Activities, said. "I honestly didn't know this many people would show up, but it shows that people are ready to take a stand. Racial and social injustice is intolerable, and these are students that want to be proactive."
Some students offered to work on solutions. Graduate assistant David Taylor brought a proposal creating a core-curriculum diversity course.
"I'll be here for a few more years," Taylor said. "I'll take it on my shoulders. We need to learn about this, not just parade around and wave our fists, but teach people."
Another solution involved creating more open communication between faculty, staff and students, especially concerning classroom discrimination issues, forum participants said.
When Sharon Bowman, chairwoman of Counseling Psychology and Guidance Services, heard about instances of discrimination in the classroom, she said students should bring these problems to the attention of the department chairperson, who should act on them.
"If enough of you come and tell us it's happening, we have to do something," she said. "I want to say that is true for all the other chairs, but I can't do that."
Zac Davis, president of Spectrum +â-óGé¼" Ball State's gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and straight ally association +â-óGé¼" said while faculty and staff should help deal with the issues, students have a responsibility to start the changes.
"We can't light a fire under the faculty and staff because we need to have the fire first," Davis said.
Other forum participants said Ball State needed Muncie community involvement. Additionally, the problems will not end until the discovery and prosecution of the people who yelled the racial slurs, they said.
The forum did not come to any decisions on how to handle the current situation on campus, but Virgil said he had faith students would be able to have an effect on the community.
"Students have a lot of power and a lot of energy," he said. "If they can harness that energy and efforts, they can make change."
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