MSU President Addresses Hanging Doll Controversy

msulogo2015-41
msulogo2015-41

Michigan State University president Samuel Stanley is working to reassure minorities on campus.

“To the African-American community at Michigan State, and particularly the students, for whom this incident has reinforced their anxiety, fear, or sense of isolation and marginalization, as I said in this letter, I hear you, as did every leader of this university,” said Stanley regarding MSU’s reaction to a display of African-American dolls that were hanging on a tree in the Wharton Center for the Performing Arts gift shop.

“I’m also aware that intentions and words are not sufficient in dealing with this issue,” Stanley continued. “So I want to mention again the actions we’re taking to bring this Spartan community to a point where we can all feel safe, respected, and welcomed.”

The dolls were removed from the gift shop. At Friday’s MSU Board of Trustees meeting, Stanley said he’s monitoring the progress of bias training that started this week, and pledged to stay “on top of this.”