Administrators launched an investigation Oct. 8 after a photo of a student in blackface circulated on social media.
The student went to a party dressed as Jay Z and posted about it on Snapchat. She is seen in the photo with her face painted black, a practice known as “blackface.” Blackface represents a time when white Americans would put dark paint on their faces and act out racist stereotypes of African Americans.
University officials learned about the post Oct. 8, said Dr. Amy Ayres, vice president for student affairs.
“We have been in meetings all morning trying to figure out what our next steps are,” Ayres said. “We determined that the issue will be handled by the human resources department.”
The incident is first being investigated under the university’s nondiscrimination policy. The investigation will determine if the incident may also violate the Student Code of Conduct. The nondiscrimination policy states:
“Oklahoma City University is committed to providing its students, faculty, staff, guests, visitors, and applicants for enrollment full and equal access to its activities, educational services, classes, and programs free from discrimination based on sex (gender), race, age, ancestry, color, disability, genetic history, national origin, marital status, medical condition, religious creed, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression pregnancy, parenting status, status as a veteran, or the perception that a person has one or more of these characteristics.”
President Robert Henry initiated a formal complaint with the human resources department after learning about the event, according to an email he sent to the campus community Oct. 8. Joey Croslin, university compliance coordinator, will complete an investigation and pursue remedies, the email reads.
OCU has a “zero tolerance” policy for discrimination, according to Henry’s email. The university also has a duty to “educate not only in academics, but in moral conduct, the email reads.
“When confronted with evidence of a deep need for teaching, we must respond to the opportunity carefully and properly.”
Henry also announced the creation of a universitywide diversity and inclusion taks force that will include administrators, faculty, staff, students, and alumni. The task force will “be responsible for creating academic programming for all university stakeholders to further the development of our campus cultural competence,” according to the email.
There have been no other formal complaints regarding the issue so far, Aryes said.
“We just know that it is wrong, and we wanted to make sure that we are educating our students about how, even if you didn’t mean to, it is offensive to others,” Aryes said.
Ayres refused to release the student’s name, saying doing so would violate the university’s disciplinary policy. The woman is a member of the Alpha Phi sorority, said Tamara Doherty, the organization’s president.
Editor’s note: Student Publications editors decided not to rerun the photo that is the subject of this story. We think using the photo, although it created a news event, would be unethical and further contribute to the problem.
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Carter G Woodson is the esteemed black scholar who said we should not remain silent and meek in the face of oppression. In many ways, my training to be collegial, a team-player, and to protect the image of leaders – and my job, frankly – enforced a habit of silence. No more. President Henry, you challenged this to be a teaching moment. Had there been a confessional that I missed? Have you elsewhere already acknowledged and apologized for your own conduct? You probably don’t remember, because casual racism is so deeply embedded. The General’s Songbook is a compilation of personal favorites chosen by President Henry when he was Attorney General. When I did not yet have tenure – and was told I needed to participate in Dean Henry’s social gatherings for faculty if I wanted to attain tenure – we were led by Robert in singing his favorite “darky” songs. Civil War era lyrics and all, crooning nostalgically about the good old days of plantation life. I grew up under Jim Crow. Our family was shot at when we “blockbusted” a white neighborhood. I was punched in the stomach and called “nigger” when I desegregated Casady Lower School in 1963. But nothing was as shaming and emotionally brutalizing as being the one black employee among her white colleagues and boss, expected to grin while belting out the standard blackface minstrel songs. I have remained silent until now. Would have remained silent. But for the big splash being made about “zero tolerance” for racism. Again, if I missed President Henry’s acknowledgement and apology, then, let’s move forward. But with a transparent record. Professor Phyllis Bernard, OCU School of Law