Raising their voices

Students express their concerns and questions at the town hall meeting

The theme of the town hall meeting hosted by the Dean of Students office Wednesday, April 19 was diversity in all its forms.

The meeting was a time for students to speak directly to 10 panelists who represented various offices at Liberty, including Residence Life, Transit, LUPD, Auxiliary Services, LU Shepherd and the Center for Multicultural Enrichment (Center4ME).

Before the conversation of diversity started, students discussed new ideas for on-
campus dining.   

Louis Cambeletta, vice president of Auxiliary Services, announced that juniors and seniors will be able to register for a new meal plan in the fall.

The 14-Swipe Plan will give students 14 swipes per week and $600 in Dining Dollars.

“As you become juniors and seniors, one of the thoughts is, you eat less in the dining hall and you’re taking more advantage of the other locations on campus,”
Cambeletta said.

Cambeletta also announced that next fall in the Reber-Thomas Dining Hall, there will be a new breakfast station featuring healthy breakfast options.

Then the focus of the conversation turned to cultural diversity and acceptance at Liberty.

Mullen and Residence Life Director Dustin DuBose addressed the Confederate flag hung in a dorm room before CFAW.

“That got expedited so quickly, I was shocked at how quickly it was handled,”
Mullen said.

The flag was taken down less than four hours after it was reported to the
dean’s office. 

The question of lack of diversity among faculty was also brought to the panel.

Melany Pearl of the Center4ME said Dr. Hine and Dr. Hawkins are aware of the issue.

“I don’t know if the university has a comprehensive plan for minority faculty hiring,” Pearl said.

Mullen said Liberty’s first step to hire a more diverse staff is by looking for prospective faculty in more diverse platforms. 

“This is an issue that is gaining traction, that administration is more alert to and aware of,” Mullen said. 

Mullen encouraged students to keep asking questions on the subject of racial diversity at Liberty because the administration values cultural diversity.

Sophomore Ivelisse Housman stepped up to the microphone and shared thoughts about life at Liberty for someone with autism.

Her moving sentiments received a round of applause from panelists and other participants.

Housman introduced another level of diversity and acceptance, namely that Liberty needs to address students with disabilities and mental health concerns.

“I have noticed a definite lack of resources for students who have disabilities,”
Housman said.

Housman has been at Liberty for two years and has sought help from the Office of Disability Support (ODAS).

“They always were really rude to me and kind of brushed me off,” Housman said.

“Every time I’ve gone to the ODAS to ask for help, I have felt unwelcomed, like I’m bothering them or wasting their time, or they just don’t know what to do with me.”

ODAS’s mission is to promote success and advocacy in the classroom for students with disabilities like cerebral palsy, cancer, psychiatric disabilities, deafness, speech disorders or learning disabilities.

Housman said while ODAS exists and is functional, the office is not practical and is not equipped to handle the needs of students.

She suggested that ODAS becomes more visible and has a larger staff.

“They would be able to be more personal with students, and that’s really what someone with mental disabilities needs,” Housman said.

While the office may empower students, for Housman, ODAS has not been
very active.

“I wish there was an office that would encourage me when I have to approach my RAs or I have to approach my professors to explain, ‘Hey, I’m different and need a little bit of extra help,’” Housman said.

Housman also said that faculty needs to be trained more on how to be sensitive to students’ disabilities.

“I have felt alienated by professors who do not understand what it is like to have a disability, not because they are prejudiced, but because they have no idea what their words can mean to someone like me,” Housman said.

Mullen said he was glad Housman came and spoke to the panel.

“I know the people in ODAS,” Mullen said.

“They love students.”

Mullen also said Student Counseling Services is growing exponentially to meet the mental needs of students. 

“Student Counseling Services has received a lot of resources to address the mental health needs of students,” Mullen said.

Not only is the office offering resources and being active with students, they are fighting the stigma surrounding mental health issues, Mullen said.

“We maintain that if you have an emotional health issue, it shouldn’t be an embarrassment,” Mullen said.

“There should be a community around that will support you. Student Counseling is trying to eliminate stigma, so that students are more willing to come out and talk about the issues and seek the resources they need.”

Part of eliminating stigma and giving students resources is training those who are on the front lines with students every day.

Mullen said resident shepherds and community group leaders are going to receive training in recognizing mental health issues for the upcoming school year.

In addition, student leadership will also be trained to recognize sexual assault.

Other issues addressed at the Town Hall Meeting were in regards to RAs and a new traffic pattern.

When asked if RAs would be exempt from Campus Community next year due to the changes in the LU Shepherd office and Residence Life, DuBose was very adamant that RAs would continue to go to Campus Community.

“We are not willing to change the policy,” DuBose said.

Chief Hinkley then announced that by August, there will be a traffic light at the intersection by the Wards Road tunnel and Regents parkway, on the northwest side of campus.

The traffic light will be timed with the light on Wards to allow for a more efficient flow of traffic on that part of campus.

Follow @LUDeanofStudent on social media to receive updates about upcoming Town Hall Meetings, campus announcements or to give a suggestion.   

“It’s all about you, you having the opportunity to engage in leadership,” Mullen said.

Abbatacola is a news reporter.