More than 100 University of Memphis students and faculty protested last Thursday at the UC Fountain, demanding the reinstatement of staff members from the recently closed Office of Multicultural Affairs.
The protest took place at the Student Plaza by the UC Fountain and was led by Tigers Against Pollution and the United Campus Workers Union. Protestors criticized how the university handled the closure, which followed a new state law requiring public institutions to dismantle diversity, equity and inclusion programs or risk losing funding.
UCW members said the university’s decision was abrupt and unnecessarily cost staff their jobs. “They [dismantled Multicultural Affairs] without warning, right before the start of the semester as staff prepared to support new students,” a UCW flyer stated. “Campuses across the state complied with this law without taking away the jobs of everyone working in their diversity and inclusion offices.”
Protestors also raised concerns about student leadership opportunities being left in limbo. “They were heads of RSO’s and so what happens to that leadership, does it disappear or fade?” asked Nathan Donker, a UCW member.
Others emphasized the impact on individuals who had long supported students. “(Former Associate Dean) Linda Hall hops from office to office and helps people all the time,” said Ellen Whelan, a UCW member. “I heard about her assisting other people based on the fact that there are issues within grants and research regarding being multicultural. You can talk about being multicultural, but there are ways to do it in an academic setting, and I know she assisted in the matter.
Students expressed frustration with the university administration, particularly President Bill Hardgrave. One protestor carried a sign saying Hardgrave should have been fired instead of staff in Multicultural Affairs.
“It’s messed up,” said sophomore William Romo. “It was really sudden.”
The crowd chanted “DEI must not die” and sang songs like “Everybody’s Got a Right to Live.”
The university shut down the office on Friday, Aug. 22, but did not notify students until the following day. Many students said they first learned of the closure through news reports and social media, describing the decision as rushed and poorly communicated.
Mel Eleftheriou is a reporter for The Daily Helmsman. They can be reached at mlfthrou@memphis.edu.
