The University of Memphis Board of Trustees hosted their first meeting of the 2025-26 academic year Wednesday at 10:30 am at the Maxime A. Smith University Center to review recent news departments at the university.
The meeting started with comments from the public, where three Black Alumni Chapter members voiced their concerns about the dismantling of the Office of Multicultural Affairs. Members in attendance highlighted how they felt the situation was handled poorly when it came to timing and requested clarity and public apologies to students from the board.
“There are a few concerns I have about the dismantling of the Office of Multicultural Affairs, but mostly the delivery of the news,” local State Farm Business owner Terez Wilson said. “I want to acknowledge the lack of notice to students and staff, and we deserve clarity on the situation.”
Wilson is a UofM graduate who served for four years as the Asst. Director of Alumni Programs and Constituent Relations. He also served as a Multicultural Event Marketing Representative for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and was the school mascot during his time on campus between 2005-08.
“Over the years I’ve seen how the office has been a lifeline for students. A place where they could be seen supported, and learn how to thrive,” Wilson said. “It is this department that has produced many lives, including myself.”
Black Alumni Chapter President Alexia Young was also in attendance. She expressed her disapproval of the closing of the office and spoke on the university's problematic history of racial representation.
“Today, I stand before you on behalf of the black alumni community who have been deeply affected by the dismantling of the Office of Multicultural Affairs” Young said. “The University of Memphis has a long and complex history of race and representation."
Young mentioned the first eight Black students who were accepted on campus in 1959, who are now called the Memphis State Eight. Since then, the number of black students has only grown, as over a third of the student population identifies as Black (over 7,000 students).
She deliberated on how she felt the Office of Multicultural affairs not only focused on representing black students, but students of color from many different ethnic backgrounds as well. Young requested an apology or statement on behalf of current students and alumni who were affected by the decision.
“We understand the law, we understand compliance, but there’s no way to justify how it was done,” said Young. “The only thing I would like to request is a public apology or statement of saying how valuable that office was and how valuable the students and staff are that were involved.”
President Hardgrave did not give a statement on the decision during the meeting. However, that is due to the subject not being on the meeting agenda, and the entire Board of Trustees would have needed to approve of him addressing the matter prior to the meeting.
Hardgrave mentioned that enrollment has been on the rise after a temporary dip due to modified admission requirements.
“We did know that the numbers would go down, what we didn’t know is how long it would take before they went back up,” said Hardgrave. “I thought it would take around two to three years, but I'm happy to report that it looks like our first time freshman numbers have slightly gone up.”
Hardgrave was also rewarded with a bonus of $100,000 in deferred payments based on performance, a decision that was approved by the entire board.
The next Board of Trustees meeting is scheduled for Dec. 3rd, 2025, in the University Center Bluff Room. The meeting will be open to the public.
Joel Haley can be contacted at jshaley@memphis.edu.
