September 12, 2018
Join K-Staters for the second KSUnite
Submitted by Richard Myers, Charles Taber, Bryan Samuel
Dear K-State family,
Kansas State University established a precedence with the KSUnite movement last November. While racial tension and unrest were prevalent and creating division on many campuses across the nation, the K-State family chose to unite and reaffirm a university pledge focused on shared values and a dedication to foster an inclusive and welcoming atmosphere in which all can share and learn from one another.
These values are the heart and soul of our university, serving as the foundation for K-State's Principles of Community.
Our first KSUnite movement was not just a one-day event. It was followed by numerous discussions, events and trainings on our campuses throughout the year. The event served as a marker for our commitment to diversity and inclusion.
We are ready to mark that commitment once again and invite our university community to participate in the second KSUnite on Tuesday, Oct. 9. A planning committee is finalizing the details, but the day's activities will include facilitated conversations at the Student Union from 10–11:45 a.m. Then from 1–3:30 p.m. our university offices will be closed and classes will be canceled to allow all students, faculty and staff to walk to K-State's World War I Memorial stadium for a program beginning at 1:30 p.m.
Bernard Franklin, vice president of Student Life at Mount St. Mary's University in Baltimore, Maryland, will be the keynote speaker. Bernard was the first African-American student body president at K-State from 1975-1976. It's fitting that he returns for Homecoming week to be the keynote speaker at KSUnite. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in political science from K-State in 1976 and a doctorate in education and student counseling in 1996.
Class cancellation from 1–3:30 p.m. Oct. 9 affects the following regular class times: 1:05–2:20 p.m. and 2:30–3:45 p.m. If instances arise where rescheduling in specialized classrooms or laboratory environments is not feasible, or canceling sections of a multi-section course would result in the loss of an entire class week, then the instructor will determine whether classes will be canceled.
We encourage all faculty to integrate diversity and inclusion into their classes throughout the day and to work with students who would like to attend the morning conversations. More detailed information on the facilitated conversations and the program at World War I Memorial Stadium is forthcoming.
For those who cannot physically attend the KSUnite main program, online streaming will be available. Thank you for creating and supporting an environment that values diversity and inclusion, and we look forward to seeing Purple Pride for KSUnite.
Sincerely,
Richard Myers
President
Charles Taber
Provost and Executive Vice President
Bryan Samuel, CCDP/AP
Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer