Salisbury University adds new initiatives to address racism on campus

SALISBURY, Md. – On Friday, June 5th Salisbury University leaders announced new protocols, advisory boards, and technology to address racism on campus.

We’re told the most recent event that sparked reaction from SU officials was a racist status posted on social media by an unrecognized fraternity at the university.

On Friday, University President Dr. Charles Wight announced new actions they will be taking to make students feel they are in a safe learning environment on campus.

Those new initiatives include adding more security cameras, developing a minority alumni advisory council, incorporating diversity training for all incoming freshman, sensitivity training for campus police, and embedded diversity and inclusion training for faculty and staff.

47 ABC talked with the university’s Chief Diversity Officer, Joan Williams and she says their job is to educate and help students understand the power of words.

“We understand that, we as an institution, we have a responsibility as we educate our students to make sure that they understand history,” Williams said. “They understand the contexts of history and that they understand their part in being citizens in the united states and globally.”

The recent incidents on campus, including racist graffiti and social media posts, are something that SU officials say does not align with their core values or the Student Code of Conduct.

“Our message is we stand for being welcoming and inclusive” Williams said. “We stand with those who are being hurt, who have pain, who are angry about how race has impacted them personally.”

Chief Diversity Officer Joan Williams says the school plans to have another Race and Diversity Town Hall for the campus community on June 16th.

As far as the racist social media post goes, SU officials say it is now under investigation by the Salisbury Police Department.