Forum Meeting at NDSU Combats Student’s Election Concerns

Presidential election results have some students worried about their well being.

Faculty and staff members say they’re trying to place themselves in student shoes as they answer questions about being deported, green card safety or even just general concerns.

“We just wanted to provide a session where faculty can get some information about resources and talk through ways that they can have some of those critical conversations in their classrooms in a safe and supportive way,” said Deputy Title IX Coordinator, Kara Gravley-Stack.

Some of those issues include international safety and legal documentation.

“I think it’s really important that we continue to have open dialogues and not stir away from topics in the classroom,” said Faculty Senate President, Kathryn Gordon.

Since the election, faculty has been made aware of an increase in racist acts.

“We’re talking about the folks who are really being harmed by these incidents,” said Dennis Cooley, who is the Professor of Philosophy and Ethics. “Being called the N word…having eggs thrown at them.”

Professor Cooley also says he has seen a divide on campus and wants to bring the NDSU community together as a whole again.

“If you were on the winning side, act the way a decent North Dakotan would act,” said Cooley. “If you’re on the losing side, act the way a decent North Dakotan would act.”

“The reason that students are here is to learn,” said Kara. “But if they don’t feel safe, if they don’t feel welcomed in the environment and they don’t feel like they can be honest and open about their concerns and feelings, then that can get in the way of being open to learning as well.”

“So the memo to faculty was not only for students, it was for us as well to know how to handle these situations,” said Cooley.