Black students at UK tell of harassment, feeling isolated on campus

Last year, a black University of Kentucky student in a health sciences field was given an audiotape in which several of her fellow students called her a b----- and said “I hate n-------s.”

It’s not just that nothing was done, it’s that black students at UK undergo similar experiences and feel they can’t complain because nothing will be done, said Erica Littlejohn and Eseosa Ighodaro, president and vice president, respectively, of the UK Black Graduate and Professional Student Association. (A UK spokesman said the incident was investigated, but the school can’t comment on student discipline issues.)

Those feelings were borne out, not just by a survey the student association conducted of black students at UK, but by an overflow crowd that showed up at the Singletary Center on Monday night.

The UK Call to Action Town Hall was scheduled after two meetings that black students and faculty had with President Eli Capilouto. Those meetings resulted in a shroud over a controversial mural in Memorial Hall. But several speakers at Monday night’s event, said they want to see progress on more substantive issues than the mural, including creating a more tolerant, welcoming atmosphere at UK.

The survey contained several troubling statistics, including that 50 percent of students interviewed feel isolated on campus, and 60 percent have experienced harassment or slurs on campus. The survey also interviewed students, finding that students don’t feel comfortable reporting issues of racial harassment because they think nothing will be done.

“The reality is the University of Kentucky is not as diverse as we thought,” undergraduate student Kelly Moore. “You might be encouraged not to enroll in STEM-based classes. ... The teacher carelessly asks you for the black perspective.”

Moore and fellow student Isaac Epps recounted the scene last year when students held a “die-in” to show solidarity with protests against police brutality and then saw numerous threats and harassment on social media from fellow UK students.

As one survey responder said: “UK only appreciates black students with a ball in the hands. The rest of us are tolerated.”

The organizers invited top administrators to attend the meeting, and several accepted, although Capilouto was out of town, officials said.

Dean of students Victor Hazard noted that scholarships for diversity have increased at the graduate and undergraduate levels.

“In my opinion, that picture and that trend will continue because of the deep commitment Dr. Capilouto has,” he said. “The current fiscal climate will not deter Dr. Capilouto.”

Carol Taylor Shim, social justice coordinator at the Department of Social Work, said the Violence Intervention and Prevention Center has expanded its services to provide support and advocacy to those who have experienced harassment. She said that by the end of this spring semester, a bias incident response team will have collected information about all identity-based violence and harassment. By 2018, all students, staff and faculty will undergo anti-bias training.

On Wednesday, members of the board of trustees and top administrators will undergo unconscious bias training so they can better understand the nuances of racial insensitivity.

Terry Allen, interim vice president for institutional diversity, said criticisms of his office were valid, but actions such as better funding for entities such as the MLK Center would improve the situation.

“We must be advocates, advocates for each other and what happens here every day,” he said. “The university must continue its effort, regardless of the outcome of that case, we must protect the integrity of our diversity fellowships and scholarships, and we will.”

A task force is continuing to address the issue of the Memorial Hall mural, Allen said.

“This is a symbol of protest on our campus for many, many years,” Allen said. “This time we will do something. I’m not sure exactly

what, but we will have a result that will change this university.”

Provost Tim Tracy talked about accountability for deans, whose annual performance evaluations will include their college’s progress on diversity goals.

As the administration promised to improve the racial climate at UK, student leaders made it clear they would continue to advocate for change.

AsEpps said, “Tonight is only the beginning of a long road to improve the University of Kentucky.”

This story was originally published February 29, 2016 at 9:59 PM with the headline "Black students at UK tell of harassment, feeling isolated on campus."