It's been three weeks since the incident that sparked debate regarding dress code, systemic oppression and de-escalation became abuzz on campus.
In response to last week's article involving Jamaal McGinty and his eventual suspension, LBCC President Greg Hamann released a campus-wide memo addressing the college's core values of intolerance.
A source not authorized to make an official statement has confirmed that the staff member who initially approached McGinty in the Learning Center has been removed from campus permanently. According to the source an investigation was headed by Human Resources. After everyone involved was interviewed HR made the decision to terminate association with the Learning Center staffer.
From information gathered it appears no other formal communication to the faculty has been made since Hamann's memo on May 7. However several staff have stepped up to organize proposals for the president's office and voluntary staff awareness training sessions.
One of the first steps in preventing future incident is drawing the line between acceptable and unacceptable behavior from an authoritative point of view.
"People tend to think they're not racist but that doesn't mean you're culturally fluent. I think it's important to reflect on these instances," said Assistant Dean of Student Engagement Leslie Hammond.
Cultural fluency is to understand and value cultural difference so that staff can embrace and communicate effectively across cultural boundaries. Director of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Javier Cervantes has teamed up with LBCC instructors to put together a concrete plan of action.
"I just had a meeting last Friday with a number of colleagues that are developing a list of recommendations for the president with a reasonable response of how to best move forward," said Cervantes.
Cervantes has developed a curriculum, Leadership LBCC: Inclusion and Cultural Fluency Program, that will be voluntary for staff to attend. It's designed with one meeting a month that will focus on a new topic of discussion such as cultural awareness, understanding, sensitivity, and interaction. The program will educate enrolled staff for six sessions before completion.
"One of the values we have at the college is learning and that's not only for students," said Cervantes.
Chareane Wimbley-Gouevia, co-coordinator of the Learning Center, has remained proactive since the incident. She has communicated her expectations to all Learning Center staff for future clarification.
"What I've done is sent out an email to all contracted staff and key part-time staff letting them know there is no dress code. I have said explicitly to not approach students about their dress," said Wimbley-Gouevia.
She has also teamed up with the Division Dean for Academic Foundations, Sally Moore, to devise a solid definition of what actually constitutes disruption in a learning environment and addressing Freedom of Speech laws in favor of students to eliminate the possibility of a repeat situation.
"I had an opportunity to meet with the student and express remorse that this happened. It really broke my heart, he did nothing wrong," said Wimbley-Gouevia.
What the incident boiled down to was a breakdown in protocol to ask the right questions about why McGinty was being questioned and subsequently removed from campus after confrontation.
"The initial situation was framed incorrectly. The way he expressed himself was to ask questions," said Wimbley-Gouevia.
Although communication from the top down has been limited, several faculty have committed to go from the bottom to the top advocating student rights and faculty awareness of those rights.
-At a Glance-
Systemic Oppression: The exercise of authority or power in a burdensome, cruel, or unjust manner. Socially supported mistreatment and exploitation of a group, category, team of people or individual.
Greg Hamann's Memo: Click Here
Original Article on Suspended Student: Click Here
Jamaal McGinty Steps Out: Exclusive Interview with Chris Trotchie for The Commuter
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