TheIrate8

presents
AListof10Demands
to
TheUniversityofCincinnati

To:TheUniversityofCincinnati
October14,2015

OnAugust24,2015,anumberofBlackleadersoncampusgatheredtodiscussthe
responseoftheshootingofSamuelDuboseandtheresponse,orlackthereof,fromthe
UniversityofCincinnati.Thediscussionmovedtoincludetheoverarchingsystemic
issuesthatarepresentattheuniversityinvolvingBlackstudentsandthesurrounding
community.Thus,theIrate8wasformed.TheobjectiveofTheIrate8istoraise
awarenessoftheexperiencesofBlackstudentsattheuniversityandhowitconnectswith
the#BlackLivesMattermovementnationally.Moreover,wearemovingtoreformsome
oftheinstitutionalizedpoliciesthatresultinanegativeandunsafeexperiencefora
numberofBlackstudentsonthecampusoftheUniversityofCincinnati.Inourefforts,
wearemindfuloftheStudentCodeofConductandareworkingtoretainrespectful
dialoguetoadvancetheuniversityinitsdiversityandinclusionofBlackstudentsand
faculty.

Itisimportanttonotethat,asstudents,itisnotourjobtoensurethatthepoliciesand
practicesoftheUniversityofCincinnatiworktomaintainasafe,secureandunbiased
campusclimateforallofitsstudents.Wedounderstand,however,thatchangedoesnot
happenwithoutacatalyst.TheIrate8hasinvestedtime,money,intellectualcapital,and
excessiveenergytobringtotheforefronttheseissuesandtogetadministrationonboard
sothatwemayturnourprimaryfocusbacktowhatweareoncampustodo:obtainour
degrees.Wehavethusfargarneredpositiveresponsesandsupportfrommultiplestudent
organizations,Universitydepartments,thesurroundingcommunity,andevensomeupper
leveladministrators,butnowthereisworktobedone.

ThefollowingdocumentdiscussesthedemandsofTheIrate8.Thisdocumentreflects
theadjustmentsthatwefeelshouldbemadetotheUniversityspolicies,budget,
procedures,andcurriculumandaccompanyingresearchthatdeemsourdemands
plausible.Weexpectaresponsetothesedemandsby5:00PMonOctober28,2015.If
thesedemandsarenotrespondedtobythisdate,wewilltakeappropriatenonviolent
actions.Ifthereareanyquestions,commentsorconcerns,youmayforwardthemto
theirate8@gmail.com.

Signed,

TheIrate8

AListof10Demands

I.
II.

III.

IV.
V.

VI.
VII.
VIII.
IX.
X.

WedemandthattheUniversityofCincinnatiimmediatelyrestrictPhillipKidd
andDavidLindenschmidtfrompatrollingonoroffofcampus.
WedemandthattheUniversityofCincinnatienforcesafullyfunded
comprehensiveracialawarenesscurriculumthatismandatoryforallstudents,
faculty,staff,andpolicestructuredbyacaucuscomprisedofstudents,community
members,andadministratorsofdiversebackgroundstobeputinplacebythestart
ofthe20172018academicyear.
WedemandthattheUniversityofCincinnaticonductsholisticprofilesincluding
extensivebackgroundchecks,mentalevaluations,andaccountsofpast
misbehaviorsofallfaculty/staff/policehiredattheUniversityofCincinnati,
startingimmediately.
Wedemandarecurrentsubstantialmonetaryallotmenttogotoallofficesand
initiativesthatdirectlysupportandimpacttherecruitment,retention,and
matriculationofBlackstudentsonthiscampus,startingintheFiscalYear2017.
WedemandthattheUniversityofCincinnatiallocateappointedvotingstudent
senateseatsinStudentGovernmentfromselectedrepresentativesfrom
underrepresentedcommunities(race,sexuality,andgender).Additionally,
StudentGovernmentmustreporttheircompositioneachyearincludingrace,
gender,sexualorientation,andotherselfidentifyinginformationforeachfaction.
WedemandthattheUniversityofCincinnatihireatminimum16staffand
senior
Blackfacultyoverthenext3years,startingtoday,October14th2015.
WedemandtheUniversityofCincinnatidoublestheamountofBlackstudentson
maincampusoverthenext3years,startingtoday,October14,2015.
WedemandthattheUniversityofCincinnatibuildsastandaloneAACRCor
renovatesinorderforallof60W.CharltontobelongtotheAACRCbyAugust1,
2018.
WedemandthatthereexistaSACUBfundedstudentorganizationdevotedto
diversityinitiativesandprogrammingthatpromoteculturalawareness,sensitivity,
andcompetencebythestartofthe20172018academicyear.
WedemandthattheUniversityofCincinnatidivestfromanycompaniesinvolved
intheoperationofprivateprisonsandestablishaSociallyResponsible
InvestmentCommittee(oratleastadoptingasociallyresponsibleinvestment
policy)forallinvestmenttransactionsbythestartofthe20172018Academic
Year.

I.

WedemandthattheUniversityofCincinnatiimmediatelyrestrictPhillip
KiddandDavidLindenschmidtfrompatrollingonoroffofcampus.

ThePresidentsTaskForceon21stCenturyPolicing,whosecommissionassembledat
theUniversityofCincinnati,identifiesbuildingtrustandlegitimacyasthefirstpillarto
effectiveunbiasedpolicing.1TheUniversityofCincinnatiPoliceDepartmentorUCPD
hascontinuouslyunderminedthispillarthroughegregiousactsofracialprofiling
(
http://www.buzzfeed.com/albertsamaha/universityofcincinnatipoliceoverwhelminglyt
argetBlack
),andthroughtherestorationofKiddofLindenschmidttoactivepatrolduty.
TheseofficersoncamerabehaviorfollowingthemurderofSamDubosewhiledeemed
legal,ismorallyandculturallyunconscionable.Additionally,thehistoryofOfficerKidd
whowasnamedasaplaintiffinthe2010lawsuitinvolvingthedeathofunarmedKelly
Brinson,posesathreattotheperceptionofsafetytocommunitiesofcoloronandaround
thecampus.

KellyBrinson,a45yearoldmentalhealthpatientatCincinnatisUniversityhospital,
sufferedapsychoticepisodeon20January2010andwasplacedinsideaseclusionroom
atthehospitalbyUCofficers.HewasthenshockedwithaTaserthreetimesbyanofficer
andplacedinrestraints.ThefatherofonesonKellyJrthensufferedarespiratory
cardiacarrestanddiedthreedayslater.

IncourtdocumentsobtainedbytheGuardianandfiledbyBrinsonsfamilyinacivilsuit
againstUCpoliceandthehospital,allsevenofficersareaccusedofusingexcessiveforce
andactedwithdeliberateindifferencetotheseriousmedicalandsecurityneedsofMr
Brinson.

Accordingtothelawsuit,beforeBrinsonwasplacedinrestraintsherepeatedlyyelled
thatslaverywasoverandherepeatedlypleadednottobeshackledandnottobetreated
likeaslave.

ThedocumentsnamedUniversityofCincinnatiofficersEricWeibelandPhillipKidd
thesamemenwho,inaformalreport,supportedofficerRayTensingsclaimthathewas
draggedbyDuBosesvehicleon19July.(
theguardian.com
)

Accordingtoanotherarticle,theformalreportfiledstatedtheofficersoriginally
corroboratedthelieTensingtold.Theinformationreport,writtenbyUCpoliceofficer
EricWeibel,states:OfficerKiddtoldmethathewitnessedtheHondaAccord
[DuBosesvehicle]dragOfficerTensing,andthathewitnessedOfficerTensingfirea
singleshot.(
theguardian.com
)

Presidents Task Force on 21st Century Policing. 2015. Final Report of the Presidents Task Force on
21st Century Policing. Washington, DC: Office of Community Oriented Policing Services. pg. 9
http://www.cops.usdoj.gov/pdf/taskforce/taskforce_finalreport.pdf

TheaudiofromthebodycameraofformerofficerTensingrevealstheconversationafter
themurderbetweenofficersanditwasstatedthattheofficersayshesawTensingget
dragged.Belowisanexcerptofthetranscript.

[OfficerRayTensing:]Oh,Ithoughthewasgoingtorunmeover,hesdraggingme.
Ya,hetookoffonme,myhandwascaughtinside.Yes,Ifiredoneround.Myfirearm
justgotcaughtinthesteeringwheelorsomething.Stayback!Stayback!Youregood.
Youregood.Stayback!

[OfficerRayTensing:]Gobackinsideson,gobackinside.

[OfficerRayTensing:]Hesdraggingme,man.

[Officer:]Yougood?

[OfficerRayTensing:]Imgood.Ijustgotmyhandandmyarmcaughtinside.

[Officer:]Isawthat.(
LYBIO.net
)

HavingeitherofthesetwoofficerspatrollingUCorsurroundingareashasincreasedthe
anxietylevelsofstudents,staff,faculty,andothermembersofthecommunityand
contributetoahostileenvironmentbecauseoftheeventsthathavetranspiredinthepast.
SinceJuly19,2015rallies,protests,andvigilshavebeenassembledbycommunity
entities,includingAwakenedCincinnatians,andBlackLivesMatterCincinnati.These
actionshavebeenindirectresponsetoRayTensing,buttothecontinuedemploymentof
KiddandLindenschmidt.Thefactthatstudentshavespenttheirtimecreatingawhole
movementsurroundingthisincidentisfurtherevidencethatprovestheanxietylevels
haverisen.TheSamuelDuboseForumheldbyTheUnitedBlackStudentAssociation
andTheIrate8wasaspaceformembersoftheUCcommunitytostatetheirconcerns
anditwasapparentthattheclimateoncampuswiththeseofficersisnotconducivetoa
equitablecommunity.

II.WedemandthattheUniversityofCincinnatienforcesafullyfunded
comprehensiveracialawarenesscurriculumthatismandatoryforallstudents,
faculty,staff,andpolicestructuredbyacaucuscomprisedofstudents,community
members,andadministratorsofdiversebackgroundstobeputinplacebythestart
ofthe20172018academicyear.

Inordertocompleteanundergraduatedegree,studentsattheUniversityofCincinnatiare
requiredtofulfillBreadthofKnowledge(BoK)andfreeelectivecourses.Currently,the
freeelectivecoursescanbeofoneschoosing,whiletheBoKcoursesareearmarkedfor
specificdisciplines,suchas:humanities,socialsciences,naturalsciences,etc.Giventhe
structureoftheBoKrequirements,UChasanopportunitytointroducearacialawareness
curriculum,whichwillexpanduponDr.WrightsRacismcoursethatisonlyofferedto
UniversityHonorsStudents.Acrossthenation,topuniversitieshaveintegrateddiversity
coursesintotheircurriculum.

UniversityofSouthernCalifornia(LosAngeles,CA)AtUSC,studentsarerequiredto
completediversitycoursessothatstudentsareprovidedwiththebackgroundknowledge
andanalyticalskillsnecessarytounderstandandrespectdifferencesbetweengroupsof
peopleItistheuniversity'sgoaltopreparestudentsthroughthestudyofhuman
differencesforresponsiblecitizenshipinanincreasinglypluralisticanddiversesociety.
(
dornsife.usc.edu/diversityrequirement
)

BrighamYoungUniversity(Provo,Utah)AccordingtoBYU,Anotherwaytoreform
curriculumistodiscusssocialissues.Educatorscantransformtheirclassroomsby
fosteringanenvironmentwherestudentscanponderideassuchaswhatitmeanstobean
activecitizen,howdiscriminationandprejudicenegativelyaffectdemocraticsociety,or
howtheycanbecomemoresensitiveandrespectfultosocialdifferences.Multicultural
lessonplansshouldencouragestudentstodevelopcriticalthinkingskills,aswellas
increasetheirselfunderstanding.Educatorscanbestencouragethisdevelopmentby
modelingcriticalthinkingsituations.Whenstudentslearntorecognizetheirvalues,
feelings,privileges,andbiases,theybecomemoreselfaware.
(
education.byu.edu/diversity/curriculum.html
)

UniversityofWashington(Seattle,WA)UWhasshownitscommitmenttoadiversity
filledcurriculumbyimplementingcoursesandrequirementsintomanydepartments
withinspecificcollegesincluding:English,Geography,andLaw.TheschoolsHonors
Programasksstudentstoseethecomplexitiesofrace,ethnicity,class,gender,sexual
orientation,andnationalityAccordingtoJohnnellaButler,theAssociateDeanand
AssociateViceProvost,GraduateSchool,Thedifficultdialoguesofdiversityinhigher
educationarethepivotalpointsinaddressingthenationalandglobalchallengesour
studentsfaceinthe21stcentury.
(
http://www.washington.edu/diversity/files/2013/04/blueprintprogram.pdf
)
(
http://www.washington.edu/diversity/appraisalprocess/secixdiversityincurriculum
)

EvenOklahomaUniversity,inlightoftheirrecentraciallychargedeventinvolvingtheir
SigmaAlphaEpsilonchapter,hasmovedtorequirethatfreshmantakeafivehourcourse
indiversityissuesbeforecompletingtheendoftheirfirstyear.
Youcantteachdiversity
inafivehourcourse,butyoucanbeinspiredtolearnmoreandbeinvolvedinother
ways,Shumate(VicePresidentofOklahomaUniversity)said.Wewanttomakeitso
whenyoulearnaboutwhatitmeanstobeaSooner,itmeanswehavestudentsfromall
differentbackgroundsthatwevaluediversityandinclusiveness.Weareacampusfull
ofalldifferentperspectivesandhaverespectforthat.Thecoursewilldiscussthe
histories,backgroundsandculturesamongstudentsandalumni.Itwillgiveanoverview
ofmulticulturalofferingsandeventsatOU.Abigpartofitwillbeopeningadialogue,
Shumatesaid.Itwillallowanopportunitytomeetsomeonedifferent,and,perhaps,
makelifelongfriendships.Wewanttocreateasituationtomakemeaningful
relationshipsforstudentsatthebeginning.
(tulsaworld.com)

Thesetypesofcoursescanhelpbuildrelationshipsaswellasasafer,moreinclusive,and
moreeducatedcampusclimateforstudentsofcolor.Thisclassshouldbestandardized
acrosstheuniversity,ensuringthatitistaughtinthesamemannerbythesame
individuals,ratherthanbeingtaughtbyinstructorswithineachdiscipline.Additionally,
forfaculty,staff,andpolicethecurriculumcanbesimilartosafezoninginwhichthose
employedbytheUniversityofCincinnaticanbecomealliesandhelpcraftacampus
culturethatisacceptingofpeopleofallracesandethnicities.

III.WedemandthattheUniversityofCincinnaticonductsholisticprofilesincluding
extensivebackgroundchecks,mentalevaluations,andaccountsofpast
misbehaviorsofallfaculty/staff/policehiredattheUniversityofCincinnati,starting
immediately.

WedemandthattheUniversityofCincinnaticonductholisticreviewsincluding
extensivebackgroundchecks,mentalevaluations,andaccountsofpastmisbehaviorsof
allfaculty/staff/policehiredattheUniversityofCincinnati,effectiveimmediately,
October14th2015.

AftertheMurderofSamuelDubose,RayTensingsemployeeprofilewasreviewedand
thefindingsshowedaclearpatternofdisproportionatelyticketingAfricanAmericans.
HadtherebeenanextensivereviewofTensingusingtheabovecriteriabeforehewas
hired,aswellasayearlyreviewofhisactionsthismurdercouldvebeenprevented.

Accordingtoreports,in2014Tensingmade69stopsinvolvingcitations.

BeforeUCsuspendedoffcampuspatrolsinthewakeofDuBose'sdeath,Tensingwason
pacetomake132stopsthisyeara91percentincrease.

Andineachcategorymeasuredincluding:numberofstopswithcitations,numberof
stopswitharrests,numberofcitationsissued,andnumberarrestchargesTensing
stoppedmoreBlackdriversthanthoseofanyotherrace.

ThisyearTensingmademorethan10percentofallUCPDtrafficstopswithcitations
involvingaBlackperson.(WLWT)

Additionally,thesereviewsofcurrentandprospectivecandidatesforuniversitypositions
willsupporttheUniversityseffortsofbecomingmoreawareofimplicitbiases
employeesmayhave.The2013racistcaricatureoftheMcMickenCollegeofArtsand
SciencesDeanRonaldJacksonandAssistantDeanCarolTongeMackcouldvebeen
potentiallyavoidablehadtheUniversityknownaboutthisemployeesbackgroundand
biasesandchosetohireapersonwithvaluesalignedwiththeUniversitysBearcatBond
whichstatesAsamemberoftheUniversityofCincinnati,Iwillupholdtheprinciples

foraJustCommunityandthevaluesofrespect,responsibility,andinclusiveness.Iwill
promotethehighestlevelsofpersonalandacademichonestyandaspirecontinuouslyto
bettermyself,theBearcatcommunity,andtheworld.

Dr.SantaOnostatedaftertheJackson,TongeMackIncident,Iwanttothankmembers
oftheUniversityofCincinnaticommunityforcommunicatingwithmeoverthepasttwo
daysontheimportanceofimprovingthediversityofourcommunityandbuildinga
strongeratmosphereofinclusiononcampus.Ishareyourdesiretocontinuouslyimprove
ouruniversityandindeedthebroadercommunityinthisregard.Iacknowledgethatwe
candobetterandpromisetodoallthatIcantocontinuetomoveusforward.Iembrace
thisresponsibilityasoneofmytopprioritiesasyourpresident.

AsthefirstAsianAmericanuniversitypresidentintheStateofOhio,diversitymattersa
greatdealtome.ItswhoIam,anditshowIwork.Ibelievefirmlythathigher
educationhasadefiningroletoplayinprovidingequalopportunityforallAmericans.
Wemustcontinuouslyworktomakeallpeopleregardlessofrace,gender,national
origin,faith,sexualityorabilityequalmembersoftheUCcommunity.

Ialsoknow[firsthand]theburdenofrepresentationandhowdifficultitistobethefirst
inanyrole.Iknowwhatitfeelsliketobeintheminority.IhearyourhurtIknowyour
frustrationandIwillworktoensurethatitgetsbetter.

IdobelievethatUChasmadesignificantprogresstowardbecomingamorejust
communityinrecentyearsandIamproudoftheworkofmanymembersofthe
universityinmovingforwardourDiversityPlan.Iacknowledgethattherehavebeen
eventsoverthepastmonthsthatareatoddswithwhatitmeanstobeajustcommunity.
However,thisdoesnotnegatetheprogressthathasbeenmadeanddoesnotchangethe
factthatthevastmajorityofouruniversityremainscommittedtotheprinciplesofajust
community.

ThisUniversitywilldoabetterjobof1)cultivatingamorewelcomingandinclusive
environment2)recruiting,retainingandsupportingmoreunderrepresentedminorities
and3)celebratingthepowerandpromiseofdifference.Ishallbecomeevenmore
engagedintheworktowardthisend.

Nowisthetimetocometogetherandworktogetherlikeneverbefore.Thankyou,again,
foryourengagement.(
Dr.SantaOnoviaFacebook.com
)

AlthoughitisclearthattheUniversityofCincinnatiwantstoworktowardbuildinga
morejustcommunity,thereisstillworktobedoneandensuringthatemployeesarenot
onlymentallystable,butthattheyarealignedwithJustCommunityprinciplesbefore
theyarehiredwillhelpwiththisendeavor.

IV.Wedemandarecurrentsubstantialmonetaryallotmenttogotoallofficesand
initiativesthatdirectlysupportandimpacttherecruitment,retention,and
matriculationofBlackstudentsonthiscampus,startingintheFiscalYear2017.

ThisvaluewillbeassessedbasedonthebudgetoftheUniversityofCincinnati.This
monetaryallotmentshouldbeassessedbyacommitteeofBlackstudents,staff,and
faculty,inconjunctionwithTheChiefDiversityOfficer,amemberoftheStudent
AdvisoryCommitteeontheUniversityBudget(SACUB),andanyotherperson(s)the
Universityseesfit.OfficesandInitiativesinclude,butarenotlimitedto:TheAfrican
AmericanCulturalResourceCenter,TheOfficeofEthnicProgramsandServices,The
BusinessFellowsProgram,&EmergingEthnicEngineers.

V.WedemandthattheUniversityofCincinnatiallocateappointedvotingstudent
senateseatsinStudentGovernmentfromselectedrepresentativesfrom
underrepresentedcommunities(race,sexuality,andgender).Additionally,Student
Governmentmustreporttheircompositioneachyearincludingrace,gender,sexual
orientation,andotherselfidentifyinginformationforeachfaction.

IntheSpringof2015,StudentGovernmenthostedarguablythemostdiverseelectionsof
alltimewithnearly50%ofcandidatesbeingpersonsofcolor.However,theseelections
yieldedagroupof10(President,VicePresident,and8SenatorsatLarge)leaderswho
weremostlywhite,cisgendered,andstraight.ForSenatoratlarge,theprobabilitythatin
apoolof22applicants(9identifyingaspersonsofcolor)thatall8winnerswouldbe
whitewas1.4%.

Forthisreason

WedemandthattheUniversityofCincinnatiallocateXnumberofvotingstudentsenate
seatsinStudentGovernmentfromselectedrepresentativesfromunderrepresented
organizations.Additionally,StudentGovernmentmustreporttheircompositioneachyear
includingrace,gender,sexualorientation,andotherselfidentifyinginformationforeach
faction.

Theseseatswouldbeappointedpositionsperrecommendationsfromtheaforementioned
underrepresentedcommunities.

Asforthereport,individualsinStudentGovernmentwouldmaintaintheabilityto
determinewhatinformationtheywishtodisclose,butthisreportshouldbean
expectationandapriorityforallrepresentativestocomplete.


VI.WedemandthattheUniversityofCincinnatihireatminimum16staffand
senior
Blackfacultyoverthenext3years,startingtoday,October14th2015.

TheAfricanAmericanCulturalandResourceCenter(AACRC),andtheOfficeofEthnic
ProgramsandServices(EPS)eachservetheuniversitybyemployingvariousstaff
memberswhoorganize,advise,andretainAfricanAmericanstudentsattheUniversityof
Cincinnatithroughvariousinitiativesandprograms.Thestructureofeachoffice
currentlysupportstwotothreeProgramCoordinatorsandaDirectorwhosupervises
thesepositionsandoverseestheactivitiesofthatoffice.Thereorganizationofthe
structureofStudentAffairsthatmovedDr.PEricAbercrumbieasDirectorofboth
officeshasinadvertentlycauseastrainonbothofficesbyeliminatingtheAssistant
Directorposition.

WedemandthattheAssistantDirectoroftheAfricanAmericanCulturalandResource
CenterandtheOfficeofEthnicProgramsandServicesbereestablishedinorderto
supporttheaggressiveeffortsofeachofficetoexpanditsimpactonstudentsaswellas
theongoingeffortsoftheuniversitytocreateatrulyinclusivecommunity.Wealso
demandthecreationoftwonewProgramCoordinatorpositionstaskedspecificallywith
theactiverecruitmentofBlackstudentsforeachofficethispositionwouldworkin
tandemwiththeOfficeofAdmissionstorepresenttherespectiveofficeduringhigh
schoolvisits,collegefairsandthelike.Theremaining12positionsshouldbe
aggressivelyrecruitedseniorblackfacultymembersforcollegeswithintheuniversity
thatstruggletorecruitandretainAfricanAmericanstudents.

VII.WedemandtheUniversityofCincinnatidoublestheamountofBlackstudents
onmaincampusoverthenext3yearsstartingtoday,October14th2015.

Percentage
Race
UC
Cincinnati
StateofOhio
WhiteAlone
69.0%
49.3%
82.7%
BlackorAfricanAmericanalone,
8.4%
44.8%
12.2%
percent,2010(a)
AmericanIndianandAlaska
0.2%
0.3%
0.2%
Nativealone,percent,2010(a)
Asianalone,percent,2010(a)
3.1%
1.8%
1.7%
NativeHawaiianandOther
0.1%
0.1%
0.0%
PacificIslanderalone,percent,
2010(a)
TwoorMoreRaces,percent,
2.3%
2.5%
2.1%
2010
HispanicorLatino,percent,2010
2.9%
2.8%
3.1%
(b)
UCpercentagesarereflectiveoftheentirecampus(Graduate,Undergraduate,and
ProfessionalDegrees).Informationfromcensus.gov(2010Census).

ColumbiaUniversity
Percentageofcity(NewYork,NY)thatisBlack:25.5%
(census.gov,2010)
AdmitRate:6.1%
ACTscoresofmiddle50%ofadmittedfreshmen:3235
PercentageofadmittedfreshmenthatwereBlack:14%
DatareflectsstudentsadmittedFall2015,undergraduateonly(unlessotherwisenoted).
Datafromcolumbia.edu

DartmouthCollege
Percentageofcity(Hanover,NH)thatisBlack:4.3%
(census.gov,2010)
AdmitRate:11.5%
MeanACTofadmittedfreshmen:32
PercentageofadmittedfreshmenthatwereBlack:8%
DatareflectsstudentsadmittedFall2014,undergraduateonly(unlessotherwisenoted).
Datafromdartmouth.edu

UniversityofCincinnati
Percentageofcity(Cincinnati)thatisBlack:44.8%
(census.gov,2010)
AdmitRate:76%
AverageACTscoresadmittedstudents:25.7
PercentageofadmittedstudentsthatareBlack(totaluniversity):9%
PercentageofadmittedstudentsthatareBlack(Maincampusonly):5%

DatareflectsstudentsadmittedFall2014,undergraduateonly(unlessotherwisenoted).
Datafromuc.edu

Thenationstopuniversitiesareextremelyinclusive,admittingextremelysmall
percentagesoftheirapplicantpoolsandacceptingstudentswithonlythehighestGPAs
andtestscores.Additionally,theseuniversitiesarelocatedinareaswithsignificantlyless
percentagesofBlackindividuals.Yet,theseexclusiveinstitutionsaresomehowbeating
UCintherecruitmentofBlackstudents.

WeneedtorecruitmoreBlackstudents.

How?Pleaseseethementionedissues,solutions,andstrategiesinthisscholarlyarticle:
http://www.asha.org/practice/multicultural/recruit/litreview.htmTheseareallstrategies
thatTheIrate8wouldbemorethanwillingtofacilitate.

TheUniversityhasexpressedthatduetotheirinnovativetactics,theUniversitys
populationofBlackstudentshasrisento9%.However,this9%isnotindicativeofMain
Campusstudents(whocanreceiveaBachelorsdegree).

PercentageofAdmittedFreshmenThatWereBlack,OrganizedbyYearandCampus
Year
MainCampus
BlueAshCampus
Clermont
Total
2010(CAT
5.4%
18.3%
3.1%
7.6%
ended)
2011
5.2%
21.4%
2.8%
7.8%
2012
5.8%
24.3%
2.1%
8.7%
2013
6.2%
25.0%
1.3%
8.9%
2014
5.0%
26.3%
1.0%
9.0%
2015

9.0%

ThechartaboveindicatesthatwhilethepopulationofBlackStudentsontheBlueAsh
campusisrisingsteadily,thepopulationofBlackstudentsonUptowncampusismuch
lower.Accordingtoreportofthegraduationratesonregionalcampuses20142015
(cohort2011),UCBlueAshstudentshavea8.6%graduationrateanda24.7%
transferoutrate.BlackUCBAstudentshavea6.3%graduationrateand30.7%
transferoutrate.ThismeansthatthoughUCBApossessesthebulkoftheUCBlack
studentpopulation,themajorityofthesestudentsarenotleavingwithadegreeorcoming
toMainCampus.Additionally,maincampusstudentshaveawealthofresourcessuchas
counseling,wellnessservices,recreationcenteretc.thatUCBAstudentscannotaccessas
easily,readily,oratall.

WedemandtheUniversityofCincinnatidoublestheamountofblackstudentsonmain
campusoverthenext3yearsstartingtoday,October14th2015.


BetweenFall2010andFall2013theUCUndergraduateInternationalStudent
Enrollmentrosefrom554to1045.Soitshouldbefeasibletodoubletheblackstudent
populationoverthespanof3years.

VIII.WedemandthattheUniversityofCincinnatibuildastandaloneAfrican
AmericanCulturalResourceCenter(AACRC)orrenovatetoexpandthroughout
the60.WCharltonBuilding,byAugust1,2018.

Pleasefindthelistofareas(andthejustificationsofsuch)thatwouldworktobringthe
needed/desiredrestitutiontotheBlackstudentsoftheUniversityofCincinnati.These
itemswillimportantlyrevivethestudentswhohavefoughtfortheAACRC,thosewho
arecurrentstudentsandthosefuturestudentswhowillpreservethelegacyifthe
AACRC.Theseitemsareasfollows:

1. TherelocationoftheAACRC
a. ThecurrentAACRCspacedoesnottotallymeetthepromisesthatwere
initiallypledgedanddocumentedwithintheconditionsofthestudents
acceptingthe1991versionoftheAACRC.Thepremierepromisewas
thattheAACRCwasonlytoexistastemporaryedifice,thuscommitting
tofind/allocateand/ortobuild/constructanAACRC.
2. Largerprogrammingspace
a. Whilethe2013upgradetotheAfricanAmericanCultural&Resource
Center(AACRC)wasaestheticallypleasing,judiciouslyaccommodating
andwellthoughtoutforthespaceprovided,itdoesnotmeettheneedsof
thestudents.Asdocumentedeveryyear,theoverallactivityofthe
AACRChasmoderatelyincreased.However,especiallyforthepaststwo
years(sincetherenovations),thenumberofstudents,programsand
serviceshavedramaticallyincreased.Thesenumbersareduethenew
aestheticsofthe

building,asthewordofabeautifullyrenovatedevent
spacewasidealforsmalltomoderateoccasions.However,asstatedinthe
previouspoint,withanincreaseinblackundergraduatestudents,alarger
building/spaceisnecessary.
3. Moresanitaryconditions
a. DuetothenumberoffoodeventsattheAACRC,aswellasthosethatwe
desiretobringthere,asinkwasnotinstalledtomeetitssanitaryneeds.As
aresult,therestroomsareutilizedforprovidingwaterfordrinks(unless
broughtinfromtheoutside)andforall"cleanups,"whicharenotdone
immediatelyonceaneventhasconcluded.Further,sincetheinceptionof
theELSareaacquiringtheremainingareaof60W.Charlton,the
restroomsaresharedandcannotaccommodatethetrafficinbothareas.
Thereisnodrinkingfountain,unlikemanyotherofficesoncampuswhere
oneisaccessible.
4. MoreAACRCStaffing
a. Astheprograms,servicesandeventshavehugelyincreased,thedemands
oftheAACRCstaffhaveaswell.Especially,astheprojectionanewor
greatlyimprovedAACRCisapparent,thematterofincreasedstaffisa
necessity.
5. AACRCLibrary

a. TheoriginationoftheAACRChousedaresearchcomponent.Inthat,this
componentwashousedintheoriginalnameoftheAACRC(African
AmericanCultural&
RESEARCH
Center),thus,demonstratingUC's
"intent"tobuilduponthe"promises"oftheAACRC.Withthat,aligning
withUC'sfundamentalpledgetoretainUC'sconceptofbeingaviable
"ResearchOneInstitution"theAACRCshouldhavebeen
included
inthe
scopeofourinstitution'smodel.Therefore,alibrarywhichdocumentsthe
Blackhistoricalfacts,BlackandAfricanartifactsaswellasbooksand
literatureby,forandaboutBlacklifeshouldbeaddedinUC'sresearch
plans.

6. AACRCFundraising
a. TheuniversityshouldworkinconjunctionwithRuffaloCodyandtheUC
telefundcentertoincorporateascriptthatdirectlysolicitsmonetarygifts
onbehalfoftheAACRC.

IX.WedemandthatthereexistaSACUBfundedstudentorganizationdevotedto
diversityinitiativesandprogrammingthatpromoteculturalawareness,sensitivity,
andcompetencebythestartofthe20172018academicyear.

TheProgramsandActivitiesCouncil(PAC)isthepremierstudentorganizationfor
campuswideprogramming.Theirgoalistosponsorspeakers,concerts,comedians,
films,andspecialeventsthatwillenhancetheUCcommunity.PACprogramsare
sponsoredbythestudentsforthestudents.

Forthe20152016schoolyear,PACwasallotted$197,070forthefulfillmentofthis
goal,andstudentorganizationsmaypresenttoPACtogetprogramscosponsored

TheIrate8wouldliketoworkwiththeUniversityofCincinnati,StudentActivitiesand
LeadershipDevelopmentOffice,andStudentActivitiesBoardtorecruitanumbrella
organizationofallethnicandculturalorganizationsthatwouldbefundedbySACUB.
Anystudentorganizationwouldbeabletopresenttothisorganizationfora
cosponsorshipofaprogramspecificallydevotedtocultureordiversityandinclusion
initiatives.

X.WedemandthattheUniversityofCincinnatidivestfromanycompanies
involvedintheoperationofprivateprisonsandestablishaSociallyResponsible
InvestmentCommittee(oratleastadoptingasociallyresponsibleinvestmentpolicy)
forallinvestmenttransactionsbythestartofthe20172018academicYear.

WedemandthattheUniversityofCincinnatibeginbyimplementingacancellationofthe
UniversitysContractwithAramark.

TheUniversityTrusteeshavevotedtosupportapolicyofdivestmentincompanies
engagedintheoperationofprivateprisonsandtorefrainfrommakingnewinvestments
insuchcompanies.

ThedecisionfollowsarecommendationbytheUniversitysAdvisoryCommitteeon
SociallyResponsibleInvesting(ACSRI)andthoughtfulanalysisanddeliberationbyour
faculty,studentsandalumni.Thisactionoccurswithinthelarger,ongoingdiscussionof
theissueofmassincarcerationthatconcernscitizensfromacrosstheideological
spectrum.WeareproudthatmanyColumbiafacultyandstudentswillcontinuetheir
scholarlyexaminationandcivicengagementoftheunderlyingsocialissuesthathaveled
toandresultfrommassincarceration.OneofmanyexamplesoftheUniversity'sefforts
inthisarenaistheworkofColumbiasCenterforJustice.
InpartnershipwiththeHeymanCenterfortheHumanities,theCenterforJusticerecently
receivedgeneroussupportfromtheMellonandTowfoundationstohelpeducate
incarceratedandformerlyincarceratedpersons,andtointegratethestudyofjusticemore
fullyintoColumbiascurriculum.
ColumbiaUniversity(2015)

ThisabovestatementwasissuedbyColumbiaUniversityconcerningdivestingfromthe
controversialindustryofexploitingmassincarcerationforprofit.Acompanythatis
guiltyofthisisAramark,UCscontractedprovideroffoodservicesforstudents,faculty,
andstaff.

AramarksTransgressions:

In2014,Aramarkreceivedfinesof$98,000and$200,000fromthestateofMichigan
foralonglistofinfractions,includingmealshortages,unsanitaryconditions(maggots
foundinthefood,forexample)andAramarkemployeessmugglingcontrabandinto
prisons.
(salon.com)

Aramarkhashadproblemsinotherstatesaswell,includingKentucky(where
correctionsofficerssaidpoorfoodserviceledtoaprisonriotin2009),Florida(where
stateofficialsendedacontractwithAramarkafteraccusingthecompanyofboosting
corporateprofitsbyskimpingonmeals)andOhio(whereAramarkemployeeshavebeen
firedforhavingsexwithinmates).
(salon.com)

Doubtfulofdivestmenttactics?Refertothelate1970s,whentheUniversityof
California,MichiganStateUniversity,Columbia,StanfordUniversity,andother
universitieshelpedpushforanendtoapartheidbydivestingfromSouthAfricaand
companiesassociatedwithit.Thisthenleadtocompaniesandcorporationsdivestingas
well.NelsonMandelaandDesmondTutuhavepointedtotheUniversityofCalifornias
withdrawalof$3billionfromSouthAfrica,andtheUniversitymovementingeneral,asa
catalystforendingtheApartheidregime
(businessinsider.com)
.

IfUCtrulyis#TheHottestCollegeInAmerica,weshouldsetanexample(likeColumbia
University),byrefusingtosupportprivateprisons.Indoingso,UCwillbeengagingina
strategytodecriminalizeimmigrantsandpeopleofcolor,enddetention,endmass
incarceration,anddemilitarizetheborder.
(prisondivest.com)

SantaJ.Ono
@PrezOno14Jul2014
UnivofCincinnatijoinsDuke,UCSF,StanfordandColumbiaasaccreditedEpilepsy
FellowshipProgramsinAmerica.#HottestCollegeinAmerica

SantaJ.Ono
@PrezOno27Oct2011
With7FulbrightScholars,UnivofCincinnatiranks#5inUSA,morethanHarvard,
Columbia,Cornell,OhioStateandBerkeley!@proudlycincy

AbovearetweetsfromPresidentOnostwitteraccount.Theyexpresshisprideinthefact
thattheUniversityofCincinnatisharesthesameaccomplishmentsastopschoolsinthe
nation.Letusjointheseschoolsoncemoreinsculptingasociallyresponsiblesocietyand
JustCommunity.

AClosingRemark

We#TheIrate8andoursupportersrecognizethatthesetendemandsdonotfully
representtheextentofremedynecessarytocuretheUniversityofCincinnatiofracism,
andthatproactivecommitmenttoaddressingthecultureofbias,isalsokeyto
transformation.

Anexampleofculturalshiftwouldincludeinformingestablishedorganizationssuchas
RallyCatsofthehistoryofBlackface,andbanningthepracticefromallsportingevents.
Theseculturalandpoliticalshiftsrequirethoughtfulness,culturalcompetencyatevery
levelandanurgencytoaddresshistoricalpolicies,practices,andpatterns,longoverdue.

Giventhatthepresidentofthisinstitutionhasdubbeditself
#TheHottestCollegeInAmericawearedemandingthisuniversityexercisethismantraina
waythatisequitabletotheBlackstakeholders,andothermarginalizedcommunities
whichithasneglected.ThetimeisnowUC.

Forthepurposesofaccountabilityandtransparency,thislistofdemandswillbe
circulatedtoUCstudents,faculty,andstaff,aswellasmediaoutlets,andthepublic
tomorrowat12:00pm.

Signed,

TheIrate8