Disturbed by recent racially charged events on campus, MU’s Staff Advisory Council will join the university community today to support the launch of One Mizzou, a grassroots diversity initiative created by MU students to promote a culture of respect and responsibility.
The campaign will kickoff at 1 p.m. today on the south side of the MU Student Center on Rollins Road. Students will be encouraged to sign banners and posters pledging a commitment to celebrate diversity and foster a sense of community at MU.
The event will include speeches from administrators and students, including Chancellor Brady J. Deaton; Legion of Black Collegians President Lisa White; Eric Woods, president of the Missouri Students Association; Graham McCaulley, vice president of the Graduate Professional Council; and Lauren Thomas, president of the Residence Halls Association.
“This program goes far beyond diversity and encourages students to respect one another as both fellow students and part of the Mizzou family,” said Victoria Craig, director of student communications for the Missouri Students Association.
In March, weeks after a student spray-painted a racial slur on a statue in front of Hatch Hall, the Staff Advisory Council created its One Mizzou for Staff petition to champion the fight against prejudice and other dehumanizing conduct. The petition has gathered more than 300 signatures.
The petition’s author, council member Angel Anderson, an executive staff assistant for the Chancellor’s Diversity Initiative, said the petition is “an effort to realize our goal of supporting the Chancellor’s Diversity Initiative in providing a welcoming and inclusive campus, which is one of the council’s goals as well.”
To sign the petition, read the council’s letter of support and view other staff signatures, go to petitiononline.com/1mizzou/petition.html. With questions about Staff Advisory Council and its programs go to staffcouncil.missouri.edu.
In case of rain, today’s One Mizzou launch will be held at The Shack inside the Student Center. The event is free and open to the public.