VF_I18G_032.pdf
Media
Part of UB Black Student Union holds 'peaceful protest' at President Tripathi's annual address, October 9, 2015
-
Text
-
UB Black Student Union holds 'peaceful protest' at President Tripathi's annual address - ... Page 1 of 4
(/)
THE
SPECTRUM
THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY AT BUFFALO. SINCE1950
(/)
Big L Windows, Buffalo NY
Get Fiberglass Entry Doors from Therma-Tru Entry Door Systems
0 0
UB Black Student Union holds
'peaceful protest' at President
Tripathi's annual address
Students want further response to 'White Only,'
'Black Only' signs
10/09/15 5:17pm I By GABRIELA JULIA
(http://www.ubspectrum.com/staff/gabriela-julia)
(mailto:?subject=UB Black Student Union holds
'peaceful protest' at President Tripathi's annual
address&body=Check out this article
http://www.ubspectrum .com/article/2015/10/bsu
protests-tri path is-address)
(http://twitter.com/share?text=UB Black Student
Union holds 'peaceful protest' at President Tripathi's
annual address)
f (http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?
u=http://www.ubspectrum.com/article/2015/10/bsu
protests-tripathis-address)
http://www.ubspectrum.com/article/2015/10/bsu-protests-tripathis-address
10/12/2015
UB Black Student Union holds 'peaceful protest' at President Tripathi' s annual address - .. . Page 2 of 4
President Satish Tripathi held his fourth annual State of the University Address on Friday morning, but the
speech was somewhat overshadowed by a protest in the audience.
Members of the Black Student Union (BSU) held a peaceful protest during the address in response to
the controversial race art project (http://www.ubspectrum.com/article/2015/09/ub-student-adm its-to-hanging
white-only-and-black-only-signs-for-art-project) and the university's response. Students stood and raised white
posters in the air that read 'We Want Answers" and left early to stand in the Slee Hall lobby and protest as
people grabbed refreshments.
BSU has called for further university response after graduate fine arts student Ashley Powell
(http://www.ubspectrum.com/article/2015/09/white-only-and-black-only-letter-to-editor) hung 'White Only"
and "Black Only" signs around campus last month. Tripathi has met with student leadership, including BSU
and the People of Color Council, and wrote an open letter (http://www.ubspectrum.com/article/2015/09/letter
to-the-editor-satish-tripathis-open-letter-to-the-spectrum) to the student body in The Spectrum about the
project, but BSU has wanted more.
Before the address, BSU posted a series of questions on social media they wanted Tripathi to answer
"publically, candidly and with urgency," such as "What is art? What is academic freedom? Where does the
university draw the-line between freedom of expression and overt demonstration of cultural trauma?" BSU
also said it expected Tripathi to address University Police dispatchers' "insensitive responses to concerned
individuals" who called to report the signs.
Tiffany Vera, BSU secretary and a senior speech and hearing science major, said she appreciates Tripathi's
acknowledgement of the issue, but wanted him to answer BSU's questions and address their concerns sooner.
"We designed this peaceful protest to show Tripathi that we aren't coming at him in a violent, aggressive or
hostile way but we want to show them we are serious about what we want to accomplish," Vera said. "We want
things to be done not just for us but for all People of Color organizations and all UB students."
After he concluded his address, Tripathi said he supports the students' protest.
"I think [the protest] is really good and it is good for them to do what they feel is right," Tripathi said . 'We are
looking at all of these points from all angles, from the faculty, freedom of speech and the first amendment."
During the address, Tripathi told the audience that College of Arts and Sciences is dealing with this "difficult
conversation and are determining the boundaries."
Black Student Union and the minoritycommunity
,. fully expect that the administrationof the
University at Buffaloaddress each of the followingquestions publically candidly, and with
http://www.ubspectrum.com/article/2015/10/bsu-protests-tripathis-address
10/12/2015
UB Black Student Union holds 'peaceful protest' at President Tripathi's annual address - ... Page 3 of 4
Tripathi's also touched on positive news in his address, as he emphasized UB's recent achievements, from the
three Mid-American Conference Championships last year to the newly named Jacobs School of Medicine and
Biomedical Sciences to UB's low student debt.
He emphasized UB's "points of pride," such as the Communities of Excellence
(http://www.ubspectrum.com/article/2015/06/communities-of-excellence) and the School of Dental Medicine
and applauded the UB students succeeding in both the STEM field and on Broadway.
He noted that UB's graduation rates are above the national average and the Finish in 4 program is a success in
helping students graduate on time.
Tripathi also brought up the lack of attention to South Campus. He said UB plans for ensuring a safer
community on South Campus to reflect the success of UB's two other campuses.
He said the construction of the downtown campus has caused a population deficit on South Campus and
because of this, UB is moving the Graduate School of Education and School of Social Work to South.
Throughout the majority of Tripathi's address, he reiterated the importance of "Buffalo's Renaissance."
But BSU feels there are other changes that need to be made first.
Vera said BSU wants to work with UB to fulfill their expectations but feels that Tripathi and the administration
aren't pursuing the issue enough.
According to Deidree Golbourne, BSU vice president and a junior African American studies major, Tripathi will
not be able to meet with BSU until Nov. 4. Golbourne said she wants something to be addressed in the
meantime.
''What about before that? The conversation ceased after the forum but there's still a lot to talk about,"
Golbourne said.
Tripathi said he looks forward to meeting with BSU members to continue the discussion.
Gabriela Julia is the senior news editor and can be reached at gabriela.julia@ubspectrum.com. () Follow her on
Twitter at @GabrielaaJulia.(https://twitter.com/)
RELATED STORIES
COMMENTS
http://www.ubspectrum.com/article/2015/10/bsu-protests-tripathis-address
10/12/2015
UB Black Student Union holds 'peaceful protest' at President Tripathi's annual address - ... Page 4 of 4
Login
The Spectrum
0 Comments
Sort by Best
Share
Recommend
t
t
.
Be the first to comment.
WHAT'S THIS?
ALSO ON THE SPECTRUM
Family and friends remember UB student
Daniel Hollnsteiner
•
Lord Zlatan - Danny boy!!!! Gonna miss you Iii
bro, still in shock right now. RIP
A Family Affair
1 comment
nt •
days ago
I read this with tears in my eyes.
Jack Daniel was an amazing , unselfish,
compassionate man who changed the world for
Gene Parris -
Study in peace
BQgirl - Ever try Belsito on Hertel? Free WiFi
food coffee expresso imported meat and cheese
from Italy! Truly a hidden jem.
'White Only' art project, Heights and medical
school hot topics at first UB Council meeting
1 comment • ·12 days ago
Jeffrey Malkan - Jeremy Jacobs unveils his plan
to rename SUNY Buffalo - "Jacobs University."
President Tripathi says "it would be an honor, ...
Please note All comments are eligible for publication in The Spectrum.
http://www.ubspectrum.com/article/2015/10/bsu-protests-tripathis-address
10/12/2015
