November 14, 2017
KSUnite Walk Event TODAY!
Please join us as we participate in the KSUnite Walk event TODAY! All students, faculty and staff are encouraged to join together for the K-State Unity Walk 1 - 1:30 p.m. TODAY. The public display of unity will serve as our community’s acceptance of the diversity among us. Our university wide event will take place from 1 – 3 p.m. WEAR PURPLE and dress for the elements because rain or shine the event will be outdoors.
The first part of the event is the walk that starts at 1 p.m. We will walk to Anderson Hall Lawn from wherever you are and attend the rally. There are designated walk areas that are described on the event website, http://www.k-state.edu/ksunite/, and barricades around campus will go up at 12:30. If you cannot follow the map, the goal is for all of us to walk from where we are and join the rally at the Anderson Hall lawn. Social media will be used to get a broader sense of the experience. You can use twitter to tweet pictures and messages during the event. Please use the hashtag #KSUnite.
After the rally, there will be facilitated conversations in the K-State Student Union about action steps to include inclusive education, reflection and action. Rooms and specific topics will be announced at the rally. Some topics include: Promoting cultural competency through Curriculum, Planning Wildcat Dialogues: Multicultural Center Update; Need-based Scholarships, University Principles of Community and Campus security.
Additionally, this event is generating considerable positive attention in the media and the academic community which include the Chronicle of Higher Education article quoting Jeff Morris, VP – Communication and Marketing, and Brian Lindshield, President of the Faculty Senate. The link is http://www.chronicle.com/article/To-Help-Combat-Racism-Kansas/241733.
Kansas State University has seen such a steady stream of racially charged incidents this semester that administrators are taking the unprecedented step of canceling classes for two hours to help combat Racism.
TODAY, promises to be momentous and impactful, but will only be great with YOUR participation. It is an opportunity for us to stand together as faculty, staff and students to oppose hate and promote unity! Let’s make sure that we’re united for success and NOT divided to fail.
Please know that my office is always open for continued dialogue.