It’s a student problem, not a black problem.
That was the message given by Tay Triggs, the Multicultural Education Director, during the last SGA meeting.
Many of the students involved with the excessive noise, vandalism, vulgarity, and all around bad behavior at the Blum Student Union are African American.
“It is perceived as a black problem, but we don’t want to segregate,” Triggs said.
Triggs brought her message to the last SGA meeting asking that they address the problem because she feels the issue is a student government problem.
Student Senator Tyson Malone agrees that something needs to be done. “We (SGA) have selected a committee to analyze the problem, and are working to address it.”
The expensive remodeling of the lounge area including computers is beginning to show some wear and tear along with ink doodles on the upholstery. There are initials written and carved in some of the furniture and walls.
“We spent the money to improve the area, but the job is not done yet, we need to maintain the area,” Triggs said.
The bookstore is right next door, trying to conduct business. Even customers on the phone 50 feet into the store have reported hearing the commotion through the phone. Employees of the bookstore say the noise of the students peaks somewhere between 11a.m. and 2 p.m.
Noise and vulgarity complaints have been reported to the book store employees by customers while in the store also. One employee remembered hearing a customer say “I hope she doesn’t kiss her mom with that mouth” in regard to a student yelling vulgarity across the area. The official comment from the bookstore is “We live with it, they are our customers.”
The type of pejorative language Triggs reported includes words such as ‘fag, the n-word, bitch and ho.’ These are not anti homosexual or racial slurs “These are friends calling each other these names,” said Triggs.
Trigg’s goal is to work with instructors also to help address the problem. She feels it is a matter of education as well as a student government problem. “We do not need to take punitive action, these students need education,” said Triggs “students engaged in this type of behavior need to be taken aside, one on one, and asked questions like, ‘How is this behavior helping your education?’ that way we are educating versus punishing them.”
“It looks bad,” said Triggs, “ it’s a few people pushing the limit where no limits have been set.” Limits may be set soon however, if she gets her way. “This messes with our (MWSU) goals,” said Triggs.
The area is visited frequently by prospective students and their parents during VIP tours sponsored by the admissions office. Also many prospective employers and faculty can be seen in the area that someday may be evaluating one of these students in an interview or be asked to write a letter of recommendation.
“Many of the staff and faculty are afraid to address the problem,” said Triggs, “ but, I don’t know why as long as it is done, one on one, and with respect, there shouldn’t be a problem.”