University of Michigan students plan to hold an all-night protest over what they say is low minority enrollment and inclusion on campus.
The 12-hour "Speak Out" event is being hosted by the United Coalition for Racial Justice, a group comprised of undergraduate and graduate students, faculty and staff. Organizer Jennifer Alzate says they're expecting 700 students, staff and faculty to participate in the Speak-Out, which begins at eight tonight and ends at eight Wednesday morning in the U-M Undergraduate Library.
Alzate says they're protesting under-represented minority enrollment at the university, and a poor racial climate for students of color on campus.
She says Dr. Barbara Ramsey, former U-M graduate student organizer with the United Coalition against Racism in the 1980's, will give a keynote speech. There will also be a teach-in, open mic, and stratregizing for next steps.
The school's provost Martha Pollack plans to ask the Board of Regents on Thursday to establish a new associate vice president for enrollment management, who will be tasked with recruiting minority students.