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St. Cloud State University
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Campus reacts to settlement
By Katie Florin & Abby Thoemke
Published:
Monday, December 9, 2002
As news of the proposed settlement of the anti-Semitism lawsuit filed against SCSU was spread across campus last week, students' reactions were mixed.
The settlement came more than a year after the lawsuit, the nation's first class action lawsuit based on anti-Semitism at a state university, was filed.
Although the story appeared on the front page of several newspapers -- both locally and across the nation -- and was covered by the television news programs, many SCSU students said they had not heard about the terms of the agreement.
"(SCSU did a) wonderful job of keeping it hush-hush," said Zach Dorholt, a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon.
"Students do not pay attention because this issue does not pertain to them," said Lydia Shuna, cultural chair for the student government. She estimated that 90 percent of students "don't even know about it."
Other students felt that information given about the issues was lacking.
"Students don't know what is going on because they are not getting all the facts," said Andrea Redetzke, a social work major.
Several students feared the lawsuit's allegations and now the proposed settlement would have an adverse impact on SCSU's reputation.
"It is sad that this is how we make the front page," said freshman Colton Pratt.
Many students expressed disappointment that the many positive aspects of the university and its campus life are being overshadowed by the allegations. Some students worried that the accusations and settlement may dissuade minority students from future enrollment.
"Although the campus tries to promote diversity, the undertones of this campus are that discrimination does occur," Redetzke said.
Students also expressed hope that the publicity of the issue will promote positive changes. Redetzke said she "feels responsible as a person on campus to help create awareness for diversity."
Shuna said that the outcome has made students aware that diversity comes in a wide range.
"The more education students have," she said, "the less assumptions will be made."
As part of the settlement proposal, a Jewish Studies and Resource center will be created and funded by the university over the next five years. It will serve as a place to coordinate activities related to Jewish heritage and history.
The proposed center also drew varied reactions from students.
Kurt Brunnen, a social work major, said that he felt the resource center would "further separate Jewish students" and suggested, as an alternative, the creation of a center for all multicultural organizations.
Hmong Student Organization member Kou Vue said he felt that Jewish students deserved something for the persecution they have encountered. However, he said, the center would be "unfair to other organizations that only receive small offices."
Several students believed that a major cause of the underlying problem may be the faculty's inability to deal internally with multiculturalism.
"If it was a faculty issue, how would a center help the situation?" Becca Scully, a junior, asked.
Still, others were hopeful that the proposed center would help create more unity among faculty and students.
"(The center) would be a resource for those who are unfamiliar with Jewish culture," Redetzke said. "It would be very empowering for Jewish students."
She observed, based on her experience working at the American Indian Center, that having multicultural centers on campus has been helpful in educating and exposing students to different cultures. She believed that the proposed center would provide further enlightenment to students and faculty members alike.
The majority of students interviewed agreed that discrimination exists because of those who have not accepted diversity.
Tisha Jones, Kappa Phi Omega, said that students need to be self-aware. She said that students should take an active role in fostering unity on campus, but also pointed out that students cannot simply be put into a room and be told to get along.
"We are not in kindergarten anymore," Jones said.
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