CSUN : Racial Harassment Being Discussed

The issue of increased racial harassment on college campuses nationwide took center stage during the first week of Cultural Awareness Month at Cal State Northridge.

CSUN’s racial awareness task force was established by university President James W. Cleary last year after a recommendation by a student government subcommittee.

Members of the task force--made up of students, faculty and staff--will evaluate recommendations that evolve from a series of campus meetings this month. The task force then will present a report to Cleary that may include a call for enforceable university policies regarding racial harassment.

“I have two major expectations from the task force. First, I hope the discussions this month act as a springboard to generate student discussion of this critical issue. Second, we need enough input to determine our next step. A draft report should carry a recommendation on whether a written policy is needed and what it will say,” Cleary said.

He said that the California State University chancellor’s office may also be interested in the task force report. Cleary said the CSUN report could provide the office with enough information to establish a statewide task force.

Cleary’s primary concern is that students get involved in the discussion and learn from the information that is presented to them this month. This week, a panel consisting of civil rights lawyers, a student activist and a law professor discussed the possible implications of enforcing recommendations the task force might make.

One panel member wondered if actions taken against any faculty member, perhaps accused of saying something even mildly offensive as part of a lecture, might have a “dampening” effect on the educational process. Another questioned whether task force action in certain situations might violate freedom of expression.