Manhattanville College students, alumni ask administration to address systemic racism on campus

Students and alumni of Manhattanville College are asking the administration to address systemic racism on campus.

News 12 Staff

Jun 30, 2020, 9:19 PM

Updated 1,535 days ago

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Students and alumni of Manhattanville College are asking the administration to address systemic racism on campus.
They sent a letter to campus officials earlier this month listing unresolved issues on campus going back years, and 13 specific steps Manhattanville should take to create a more inclusive, diverse and safe environment.
"There is such lack of diversity on campus between professors, faculty and students, and it's hard to get that representation and for them to fully understand what it is to be a Black student at Manhattanville and a Black person in society right now," says Manhattanville College sophomore Chris Brown.
Back in 1969, a group of Black students from the college took over the Brownson Hall academic building calling out the administration. According to the Daily Item, on Dec. 9 1969, they said there were "overt racist professors" and "no serious effort has been made to meet all of the Black students' needs." Students say they are fighting similar battles five decades later.
Michael Geisler, the president of Manhattanville, says he will work with all sections of the college to address the issues raised.
A campus spokesperson tells News 12 he met with the cabinet Tuesday to discuss specific actions.