U-Md. students say media caused action

Byt Erin UyByt Erin UyThe Diamonback Even so, the dialogue created by the attention can be used to the advantage of students, members said. Black Student Union President Daryl Francis said he felt the press attention was the main motivation behind the administration's response. "I think a lot of the media attention gave the student body the opportunity to have some kind of constructive dialogue with administration," Francis said. "I think [the officials] have done a pretty good job -- including the departments. "There are a lot of programs that have been developed, especially within the last two weeks. I commend President Mote on a timely response on trying to initiate some kind of action plan." Campus spokesperson George Cathcart said the administration's reaction to the hate-mail incidents and recent diversity initiatives were not prompted by media attention. "We were the ones who invited the media," Cathcart said. "We are not reacting to media attention. We created the media attention. "I would point out that the media attention of the recent events we attracted was made simply to raise awareness. We were extremely concerned about the hate mail." Latino Student Union President Luis Aguilar said while he was troubled that it seemed to take media attention to bring administrative action, he is glad it pushed officials to do something. "We are working off of a build-up," he said. "If [the diversity initiative] is really important to administration, they will see this through." Asian American Student Union President Dharma Naik said the positive outcomes were a direct result of media attention. "Their reaction has made people on campus aware of what happened and what continues to go on," Naik said. "In terms of student groups it was the fire that urged student groups to work together, and it fueled activism on campus." Naik, however, questioned the motivation behind the administration's recent announcement of a three-step plan to deal with diversity issues and resulting hate crimes. Mote explained the plan in a press release: "Maryland has justly earned a national reputation for its efforts to promote diversity, but quality of diversity depends on interaction among diverse people much more than on counting heads." Naik said the administration has been using statistics to boast campus diversity, while the genuine meaning of diversity includes interaction among a diverse population -- which was lacking on campus. "I don't know if he's just saying that because he's been hearing that a lot from other people," Naik said. "That's what we, the AASU, has been saying all along -- we already know diversity isn't about numbers." In January, a task force will study the "full range of diversity issues on campus," Cathcart said. "We are concerned about all issues, including the quality of diversity -- not just diversity," he said. Francis said the next step should be a collaborative effort between students and the administration. He urged Mote to include students other than leaders in the process. He said the administration could solicit these students by advertising in large lectures. "The average student goes through experiences that may be a little different than that of a student leader," Francis said. "Student leaders don't always have the answers." Francis said students need to hold the administration accountable for following through on their proposals. "I think [it is] because people feel like administration runs this school like a business, rather than an institution of higher learning," Francis said. "Students have the responsibility to bring it to their attention every time it happens. "We, as students, don't force their hand in making anything happen. We need to do that -- at least in the beginning."