http://digital.lib.buffalo.edu/upimage/VF_I18G_029.pdf

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Part of Letter to President Tripathi, September 25, 2015

Text

Greetings President Satish K. Tripathi and University at Buffalo Administration ,
Attention : Charles F. Zukoski , Dennis R. Black, and Chair to the Department of Art
From its inception in 1967, The Black Student Union has carried the goal of preserving and
perpetuating African American culture, dignity and self-awareness. As the first minority
organization on the University at Buffalo's campus, we seek advancements in affiliating and
uplifting individuals through means of education and community involvement. To align with the
execution of these goal, the Black Student Union submits this letter to you on September 25,
2015.
The Black Student Union would like to thank you for extending the invitation to gather student
_leaders to discuss last week's events at length.
On Wednesday, September 17th 2015, The Black Student Union convened for its weekly
general body meeting where students addressed the "White Only" and "Black Only" signs
displayed on campus. At this general body meeting , students expressed feelings of, shock,
grief, and trepidation .
As students shared their responses to the signs, it was evident that these discoveries took an
emotional and psychological toll on the student body of this campus. One student professed to
feeling threatened by the signs and fearing for her life. Another student proclaimed that her
friends , who are also UB students, did not know where to sit at a restaurant at the UB commons
after seeing a "WHITE ONLY" sign in the vicinity.
There has always been an interplay between artistic expression and crime , and this case is no
different. While graffiti is considered a style of art that has dated back as far as ancient Rome, it
has also been seen as an illegal action. These signs evoked such a mass of negative emotions
from students, and regardless of the intentions, people still suffered.
The Black Student Union stands by its position that this is not art. This project is likened to
human subject experimentation in which all of the general population of our university was
involuntarily exposed to these discriminatory signs.
Ashley Powell voluntarily admitted [in the Black Student Union's general body meeting
Wednesday, September 17th, 2015] that she is solely responsible for displaying the signs for
the UB art course, Installations in Urban Spaces. The Black Student Union believes the student
body's right to move freely about the campus appeared to have been impeded on by the very
plain discriminatory message on the signs.
In no way did Powell's presence in Wednesday's general body meeting inflate or increase the
meeting's attendance. The Black Student Union's general body has been historically supportive
and regularly active in all BSU programs and events. In fact, many other Student Association
organizations were represented in Wednesday's general body meeting. As the premier student
organization for minority individuals at the University at Buffalo, it is not uncommon for weekly

general body meetings to be widely supported and well-attended. The attendance to
Wednesday's meeting will not be reduced to Powell's veiled attempt to incite racial tension. The
minority community at the University at Buffalo stands in solidarity with the Black Student Union.
After Powell's confession and self identification as a graduate student, the general body
members and other students present in the meeting immediately questioned how said "art
project" was approved and how it could in any way fulfill a legitimate academic purpose.
While others have dismissed the displays offensiveness because it was supported by a
sociocultural theory, the Black Student Union does not excuse the insensitivity of this display.
Moreover, the nationality or ethnicity of Powell does not impact the Black Student Union's
stance against her work.
However, Powell is not the only person responsible for these displays. The Black Student Union
believes adjunct professor, Warren K. Quigley is also at fault. As students, we expect for facu lty
to be knowledgeable on the current academic standards set forth by the university for the array
of respective schools and programs. As students, we also expect faculty's guidance and sound
judgment as it relates to achieving academic goals. Many students begged the question,"Did
anyone consider the implications that this 'art project' would have on the people at the
University at Buffalo?" Professor Quigley failed to provide the appropriate guidance in this
matter. As a result, the project was carried out and people of all races and creeds remain
profoundly distressed.
If this project is in fact in accordance with any university standard for academic work, a
complete overhaul of these standards must be performed immediately. Failure to reexamine
University policies and procedures that protect the freedoms of students' academic prowess and
foster a healthy living-learning environment sends a single substandard message ... that the
University at Buffalo does not value its minority students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors, and
affiliates.
Although Ashley Powell and adjunct professor Warren K. Quigley are the cause of this heinous
act, The Black Student Union also finds the University at Buffalo's Police Department at fault.
The Black Student Union executive board noted a common theme in students' expressions at
Wednesday's general body meeting . Students felt: angry, traumatized , unwelcomed , divided ,
discriminated against, belittled, dehumanized , fearful , unsure, and unsafe.
Multiple students contacted the University Police Department to report the findings. Later at the
general body meeting Wednesday, students described their interaction with University Police as
disheartening . Students expected for the officers to inquire about other display sightings,
possible sightings of individuals posting the displays, and references to UB Counseling services.
However, University Police officers merely disposed of the "White Only" and "Black Only" signs
in trash receptacles. University Police dispatchers responding via telephone dismissed the
students' feelings of fear by making insensitive statements like: "Why are you so upset over a

sign?" Which does not reflect UB's official statement: "UB is a safe place that values diversity.
Review is under way." (Twitter, @UBnow Thursday September 17, 2015; 4:24pm) Not only
were responses such as this grossly inappropriate coming from public officials who are sworn to
protect and serve the student body, their passivity to the historical context of these signs is
equally disheartening and disturbing .
The Black Student Union and the minority community fully expect that the administration of the
University at Buffalo address each of the following questions publically, candidly, and with

1.
2.
3.
4.

What is art at UB?
What is academic freedom?
Does academic freedom justify or create room for racially charged art forms?
Does academic freedom endorse unconscionable recreations of historically divisive
work?
5. Is our welcome , as people of color, at UB only as extensive as the next art project?
6. Where does the University draw the line between freedom of expression and overt
demonstrations of cultural trauma?

In conclusion , the Black Student Union fully expects that:
1. President Satish K. Tripathi immediately address the aforementioned six questions and
insist that this work is not art.
2. President Satish K. Tripathi articulate University at Buffalo's vision for inclusion that
encompasses matters like this during his Annual State of the University Address.
3. The Chair of the Art Department actively re-evaluate policies and procedures currently in
place concerning art installations.
4. University administration review, revise and train the University Police officers and
dispatchers to respond to harmful acts more sufficiently
a . Address why University Police officers merely disposed of displays in trash
receptacles as opposed to inquiring about other display sightings, possible
sightings of individuals posting the displays, and references to UB counseling
services
b. Address University Police dispatchers insensitive responses to concerned
students
The Black Student Union will not stand idly by as new developments of racially charged
interactions continuously take place in the UB community. The Black Student Union will not be
silent and will remain steadfast in upholding the principles our organization was established
upon in 1967.
This letter serves as a means to convey the message that the student body's concerns will not
be minimized. The Black Student Union will not rest until the above expectations are actively
and effectively pursued.

In solidarity,
Black Student Union Executive Board
Micah Oliver, President
Deidree Golbourne, Vice President
Jalyssa Gordon, Treasurer
Tiffany Vera, Secretary
Samirra Felix, Activities Coordinator
Leslie Veloz, Activities Coordinator
Rashaad Holley, Publicity Coordinator
Jason Hamlet, Publicity Coordinator
Kevin Appiah Kubi, Historian
Victoria Kehinde, Black Women United Co-Chair
Alex Louigarde, Black Women United Co-Chair
James Battle, Black Men United Co-Chair
Randy Ollivierre, Black Men United Co-Chair
Terem Adi, Community Service Chair