Jason Truitt, and Rachel E. Sheeley

The Palladium-Item

For several hours Thursday, Earlham College's campus appeared nearly deserted. Rarely did someone walk across the grounds, and classrooms were empty.

Classes were canceled as the majority of students, faculty, staff and administration participated in meetings to address a list of diversity concerns brought forward by a group of students earlier this week.

An all-campus meeting, which started at 1 p.m., filled Schuckman Gym in the Athletics and Wellness Center, and the gathering lasted more than two hours.

Several students, staff and faculty members, approached after the meeting by a Palladium-Item reporter, declined requests to speak on the record about the meeting or about the catalyst that inspired students to bring forth their concerns. Faculty and staff members referred questions to Earlham Director of Media Relations Brian Zimmerman.

Zimmerman said Thursday's canceled classes and campus meetings were a response to students, who, on Monday, walked across the campus and circulated a list of ideas they want the school to consider.

The march included a stop at the office of Earlham President David Dawson, where the students presented Dawson with a list of "requirements" for the school, according to a story published by the Earlham Word, the school's student-run newspaper.

"The administration at Earlham College has been made aware that a group students have concerns about issues related to diversity on campus. These concerns were circulated to the campus community as a list of requirements that this group of students believes will address their concerns," Zimmerman said in a statement.

Zimmerman declined to provide a copy of the student's list of demands, but on Thursday morning, the Palladium-Item was able to obtain an email apparently sent to Earlham students, faculty and staff earlier this week that included a copy.

In the document titled "List of Requirements Concerning Students of Color," the student group claims the campus as it stands "is unsuitable for students of color to thrive."

"Earlham is failing to sustain the diversity that this college promises and because of this, we cannot in good faith endorse Earlham as a place suitable for students who value diversity, fairness and equity. ... Through our combined efforts with Earlham's administration, we hope to create a college that all students can be proud to represent as their alma mater."

The document lists nine areas in which the group wants to see change on the college's campus. Among the list of requirements are:

• That Earlham provides greater support for students of color, and if that isn't provided, that students have a "safe and effective" way to communicate their dissatisfaction, especially in the areas of residence life, the housing and meal plans, financial aid, college readiness and academic assistance.

• That programs for African, African American, Latino, women's, gender and sexuality studies become fully funded with dedicated full-time positions.

• That by 2020, at least 30 percent of the college's faculty, staff and administrators; at least 30 percent of the hiring pool for professors on tenure track; and at least 20 percent of the board of trustees be people of color.

• That Earlham create by the fall semester of 2018 a multicultural center that is "autonomous, free of surveillance, staffed by people of color, provides counselors of color for students of color and is accessible to students with disabilities."

• That by 2020, at least 70 percent of the faculty for programs such as African, African American, Middle Eastern, East Asian and Latin American studies and others be racially and ethnically representative of the subject they are teaching.

• That there be racial diversity training for all students, faculty and staff for all ethnicities.

• That there be complete transparency in the relationship between Earlham College Public Safety and the Richmond Police Department. The document accuses RPD of racial profiling and says it is "Earlham's duty to provide protection for their students of color from this racial profiling."

• That by the fall semester of 2016, Earlham hires an affirmative action worker who would "increase retention rates for marginalized students, sustain a diverse curriculum, implement diversity training and promote a more safe and inclusive campus."

• And that there be a consistent series of student meetings with the college's president and board of trustees to discuss these requirements.

Multiple messages through email and social media to the students described in the document as the leaders of the group were not returned Wednesday night or during the day Thursday.

According to the email obtained by the Palladium-Item, a series of meetings had been scheduled for Thursday on the school's campus — one each for faculty, students and staff followed by an all-campus meeting.

Zimmerman turned down the Palladium-Item's request to attend the all-campus meeting.

After the meeting, Zimmerman said, "It was a productive and often times emotional experience that I think was important for students and faculty and staff. ... Quite frankly, it was all something we needed to hear."

He added that during the all-campus meeting, students shared stories of experiences on and off campus that were "uncomfortable."

"I think this forum was an important moment for the institution, for students, faculty and staff," Zimmerman said.

The college later made a statement that said, "Issues discussed in the all-campus discussion included increasing representation of persons of color across the college community, increasing support services and creating additional opportunities for diversity-related training and preparation for faculty, staff and students."

The statement also included comments by Dawson.

"The Earlham community chose to dedicate a community-wide discussion to explore how it is ‘living out’ one of its guiding principles, ‘respect for all persons,’” Dawson said. “In part, this event springs from the community's response to many of the same issues related to racial sensitivity, justice and support being raised at colleges and universities across our nation.

“As our students are helping us to more fully appreciate, even a college like Earlham, which is especially committed to welcoming persons of all backgrounds and ethnicities, has much room for growth. This community-wide discussion with students, faculty and staff will serve as a launching point for ongoing college dialogue and action toward living out its commitment to diversity."

On Friday, the college's Diversity Progress Committee will meet to do a "careful review of the students’ concerns," the statement said.