University of Alabama President Stuart Bell says he will hire a central diversity officer as part of an effort to make the campus welcoming to all people. The announcement this week comes following a week of demonstrations at the school, originally sparked by protests at the University of Missouri, in which students said the racial climate needs to improve at UA. Student Government Association President Elliot Spillers, who is black, talks with WBHM’s Sherrel Wheeler Stewart about the announcement and about the culture at the University.
The University of Alabama Experience
“The past three years I have been here have been nothing but positive. I will say it’s been amazing. But I also have to represent those students who can’t say the same.”
Aftermath of Video on Institutional Racism
“I think since the video circulated, we’ve had a lot of talk – a lot of dialogue about this issue here on our campus. This is not uncommon in SEC schools, but definitely, I think since the Missouri protest, it has empowered a lot of students — college and campus-wide. Since then President Bell and I have met about the current situation of diversity and inclusion here on our campus. We’ve talked about plans, moving forward with his strategic plan. Recently, yesterday, he signed off on us getting a chief diversity officer here at the university.”
Changes in the University
“It’s changed drastically since I’ve been in school here at the University of Alabama. Let it be known that I love my campus wholeheartedly. But I want the best for each student here. As a freshman I can remember, as it regards the Student Government Association, not being representative of any minority students across our campus culture. It had been as such for about 40 years. I have seen multiple waves of tradition and a turning tide, but nothing has been sustainable. As students, we are very passionate about diversity and inclusion. Among us along we were able to integrate our sorority system. Our fraternity system is something we’re still working on. We’re moving forward in the right direction, and I think even my election alone has proven the strides we’ve come as a campus and a community at UA. I can’t let another 40 years go by till another minority or person of color can sit in this position.”
Handling Resistance from The Machine
“It’s a culture, and I will say with The Machine, it is not every individual in that institution that is campaigning to keep our campus divided. It’s a small minority who has a very loud voice, who controls even the people within that organization. Cleophus Thomas is a mentor of mine. In 1976 he was the first black SGA president here at Alabama. I’ve talked with him many times. It’s astounding to me the issues they had in 1976 and even in the 1960s — they still persist. It makes me question, ‘is this the society I live in? Is this the University of Alabama that I want my children going to?’ It’s up to us to challenge that in a positive way. If no one says so, it may never be addressed. For many of us, it’s important that we don’t alienate or polarize ourselves, but rather find common ground.”