Letter from the Student Senate

Editor’s note: this letter was received from the Student Senate

Dear Administration, Staff, Faculty, and Students of MNSCU:

Metropolitan State University is a vital contributor to the educational, social, cultural, and economic vitality the Twin Cities and its surrounding communities. Metropolitan State University began in 1971 as an upper-division university offering bachelor’s degrees for working adults. Since then, it has achieved national prominence as an innovative, urban university that serves primarily older students of diverse backgrounds.

Metropolitan State University is a comprehensive urban university committed to meeting the higher education needs of the Twin Cities and greater metropolitan population. The university provides accessible, high quality liberal arts and professional education to the citizens and communities of the metropolitan area, with continued emphasis on underserved groups, including adults and communities of color.

Within the context of lifelong learning, the university builds upon its national reputation for innovative student-centered programs that enable students from diverse backgrounds to achieve their educational goals. The university is committed to academic excellence, community partnerships, and student life services designed to support an urban mission.

Metropolitan State University’s commitment to serving the community is long standing. The university’s many community partnerships include community-based internships, law enforcement and social work degrees, and partnerships with local schools and businesses.

Recently, there was an article that was published in the school’s newspaper, The Metropolitan. Attached to this letter is the article. Below are responses from Metropolitan State University’s Student Leadership.

• The article is blatantly offensive
• The article contains violent language
• The content and use of language is inappropriate
• There is prejudiced stereotyping directed towards minorities
• The screening process of the author’s submitted article is flawed

RESPONSE TO THE ARTICLE

The response of Metropolitan State University’s student leadership is that the language used in the article was intended to “offend” the readers. There is misusage of a derogatory word throughout the paper. There is blatant prejudiced stereotyping of minorities. The leaders on campus believe that this issue should be taken seriously by taking action such as educating the campus to ensure that another incident like this does not occur in the future. This article truly displays an act of racism and injustice in the ways it portrays minorities and usage of improper language.

Student leadership believes we must look at the intended reason that this article was published. We cannot change the article but can make changes within ourselves. N***** no matter how you write or say it, leaves us with the question of racism on our campus. If we are to move ahead to bring unity and peace, we can say to our fellow man or neighbor we are one in the same. Writing is truly an artistic gift given only to view the world as a positive environment. Students of all color are welcome here to get a fair education no matter who they are and everyone is treated equally here.

We believe that all students at Metropolitan State University are held accountable for their actions and have a responsibility and commitment to diversity, integrity, and social responsibility. It is because of this commitment that has brought the student leadership together to address this situation, and to ask administration for direction to resolve this issue and to restore our student body’s faith in The Metropolitan newspaper.

Metropolitan State University Student Leadership
700 E. 7th Street
Saint Paul, MN 55106
(651)-793-1551