“I think that it is harder to be a black student on our campus than it is to be a white student. We should be aiming for a campus in which all students feel equally welcomed,” Eisgruber said.
He added that he agrees with some of the students’ points, saying that Wilson was a racist and that the University should talk candidly about his legacy, including both its good and bad parts. However, he added that he disagrees with the idea of renaming the Wilson School and Wilson College.
“I think it is important for me to be sensitive about these points and honest about my views that I talk about,” he said.
Eisgruber also agreed that an ethnicity and diversity distribution requirement would be a good thing for the University to have. However, he noted that the decision belongs to the faculty and should be made through the appropriate processes.
The request for a space specific to black students is reasonable and desirable, Eisgruber said, adding that he and his colleagues will work on creating such a location on campus as quickly as possible.
The request for a space
specific to black students is reasonable and desirable, Eisgruber said, adding that he and his colleagues will work on creating such a location on campus as quickly as possible."