MSU students demand removal of diversity official

For the second time in three months, a group of Missouri State University students is demanding changes that involve top diversity officials.

This time, they seek the immediate dismissal of Juan Meraz, assistant vice president of multicultural services. He is MSU's highest-ranking Hispanic official.

A petition signed by nearly 100 people, mostly students, alleges Meraz has created "racial division" among multicultural students, made discriminatory remarks — which, they allege, show "extreme prejudice" toward blacks — and withheld scholarship money from students approved for the funding this school year.

Nearly 25 MSU students staged a protest Monday in front of Carrington Hall, where they demanded answers, called for Meraz's removal and played excerpts of what is purportedly a recorded conversation with Meraz.

"You have every right to point out a wrong when it's wrong," said Xavier Torres Ghoston, during the protest. "... I should not have to stand out here in the cold asking for an explanation."

The group, calling itself the Springfield Coalition for Minority Advancement, stated it is prepared to protest until action is taken. Members want Meraz fired, not reassigned or given the opportunity to resign.

They also want:

• A statement to the public explaining the reasons behind Meraz's dismissal, along with the release of "all accessible evidence."

• A stronger commitment from the university to employ Hispanics in administrative positions who "share the values and commitment to diverse populations."

NAACP offers support

The coalition's concerns were echoed, in part, by the Springfield NAACP, which also called for a "full accounting" of the Multicultural Assistance Grant program. The annual budget for the grant is $50,000. Needy students who have exhausted other financial options can be awarded a one-time grant of up to $3,000.

President Cheryl Clay said while the chapter will avoid interfering in personnel matters, the allegations that students have not received approved grant funds "prove troubling."

"The lack of response and the failure to act to rectify this situation from the Office of Multicultural Services appear to support the students’ allegations of retaliatory practices and lack of administrative oversight," Clay wrote in a statement.

"The Springfield chapter stands in support of the MSU students in asking for accountability and transparency in addressing their claims of discrimination, harassment, and unprofessional conduct from the Office of Multicultural Services."

The investigation

In mid-December, student Monica Villa Meza filed an informal complaint that alleged Meraz, among other things, withheld grant funds and made inappropriate racial remarks.

Wes Pratt, who was director of MSU's Office for Institutional Equity and Compliance at the time, said he is not at liberty to discuss all the complaints. He said the student's allegations were taken seriously and an investigation immediately was launched.

In January, Pratt was promoted to chief diversity officer and investigator Melissa Berry took over the inquiry. Pratt said the informal inquiry wrapped up last week, but before investigators could meet with the student they learned she wanted to file a formal complaint. That ratchets up the process.

"The university is doing what it is supposed to do," he said.

On Monday, the coalition appeared to call the initial investigation into question. They allege Pratt, who has worked with Meraz for nearly a decade, has a "conflict of interest" and could not be impartial.

As evidence, the group presented a photo of Pratt and his wife Francine Pratt meeting Meraz for a drink at the MudLounge in downtown Springfield.

Even though Pratt's job change meant a different investigator took over, he said he wouldn't have let a personal relationship cloud his judgement. "He's a colleague of mine, he's a friend of mine, but I'm going to do my job."

Allegations resurface

This week wasn't the first time MSU students have raised concerns about Meraz during this school year.

In late November, a list of demands — crafted by students also involved in the coalition — called for an audit of the Multicultural Assistance Grant. They also alleged that when Meraz enters the Multicultural Resource Center, he "makes no attempt to address the black students, who use the center the most."

At an MSU Board of Governors meeting in late December, Monica Villa Meza strongly criticized Meraz without mentioning him by name. She alleged there was a disconnect between him and other Hispanic faculty "that leaves the community feeling voiceless."

Meraz is also the director of the Latino Leadership Institute, director of the student diversity training team and an adviser to multiple student groups. In her speech, Meza said despite 11 Hispanic staff members, MSU gives the "Latino face" to only one.

She also blamed "incompetent leadership" for a breakdown in communication and growing racial divide among multicultural students. She said despite more than 700 Hispanic students on campus, "the same 30" were repeatedly selected for leadership roles and other opportunities.

The coalition released Monday, along with a statement, an audio clip a little over 5 minutes in length, that it alleged a female Hispanic student recorded during a conversation with Meraz. The statement said students reported "concerns of depraved behavior" by Meraz.

(Wes Pratt said he listened to a longer version of the audio clip, at least an hour in length, but wouldn't discuss the contents).

During the clip, the male — purportedly Meraz — gives his opinion about the racial tension and subsequent protests on the University of Missouri campus.

The male also states, among other things, that MSU's Multicultural Resource Center is "a hostile area to anyone who is not black" and that black students "look at me like I owe them money and I don't own them s---."

Also on the clip, the male states: "We've got Latinos being lynched more than black people in the South, still to this day. Everybody is 'Oh well, black lives matter' — I understand that. What about everybody else?"

Jonathan Miranda, an MSU student, attended the protest Monday to speak in support of Meraz. He said the two met a couple years ago.

"He's treated everyone I've seen him come in contact with in the same way," said Miranda, 30. "I don't understand why they say he is bias(ed). I have never seen it."

Courtney Kolb, a student athlete and recipient of the Multicultural Assistance Grant, said she is baffled by the allegations.

"I've never heard a racial comment come out of his mouth. He has done nothing but enhance my education," said Kolb, a sophomore from Jefferson City. "It really upsets me because Juan is one of the kindest people I know."

How to move forward

Toward the end of the coalition's statement Monday, members expressed frustration that "students of color" have repeatedly met with administration, spoken to the MSU board, issued a list of demands and attended forums.

"So far, all of our efforts have come up short," the group wrote.

MSU official at center of discrimination probe resigns

They said complaints about Meraz and the university's multicultural services and programs, as a whole, have "gone unmet with action." And, that, as a result of speaking out, students have "faced harassment by white students and residents via social media."

Pratt said MSU encourages students to speak up, express concerns and be heard.

"All students have a right to participate in this process to address issues and point out concerns," he said. "Anytime you stand up and take a leadership role, you are going to have detractors."

But Pratt said big changes, especially cultural shifts, take time. "That is not a quick fix."

Meraz did not return a call seeking comment. The News-Leader requested comment from MSU President Clif Smart and was directed to Pratt instead.

Minority students issue 'demands,' set deadlines at MSU

In response to the coalition's statement, MSU on Monday released a list of steps it has taken in recent months to address concerns about diversity and inclusion. Those steps include promoting Pratt to the chief diversity officer and appointing Gilbert Brown to associate provost for diversity, where he has been asked to step up efforts to recruit more diverse faculty and staff.

A President's Council on Diversity and Inclusion has been created, a national expert on cultural centers is visiting the campus this spring to offer ideas, a Multicultural Resource Center annex is expected to open in mid-March and the Dean of Students, Thomas Lane, is putting together a bias response team.