MU official to Concerned Students: time for demands is over

The University of Missouri’s vice chancellor of diversity issued a new plea to members of Concerned Student 1950, asking them to join current efforts at improving the culture at Mizzou.

Chuck Henson wrote a letter claiming he has not met the group in person. “For my part, I have been seeking you out. I have invited you to come see me. However, as yet we haven’t met.”

Henson claims if students had, they would have realized most of their demands have already received attention. But he said it is against state and federal law to admit or hire people based on “protected characteristics” just to meet certain quotas.

Henson is also putting all of the responsibility on faculty, not officials, to require certain courses for every MU student, but he says professors are “working on this issue.”

He said “if you sincerely want better relationships, the time for demands, threats and arbitrary deadlines is over — you don’t need them. I hope you’ll join me with other concerned students in The Working Group.” That is a permanent feature offering students and faculty a chance to learn more and give their own input about the diversity office’s efforts.