BLACKSBURG, Va. (WDBJ) – Hundreds of Virginia Tech students, staff and alumni demanded the board of visitors to remember the school’s motto, “Ut Prosim,” or “That I may serve,” after school officals passed a resolution dissolving Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programs at the university.
“It’s time Virginia Tech checks their definition of Ut Prosim and supports the community. They serve the community, the students,” said Nick Cavicchio, a junior at Tech. “Not themselves, not their self interest, not interests of corporations themselves; the community.”
A protest starting at Burruss Hall turned into a march to meet face-to-face with the Board of Visitors.
With chants and demands heard all throughout campus, it wasn’t enough to sway the opinions of Virgina Tech leaders.
“It’s unacceptable. At this point in our history we should be going forward, and to think we’re going to eliminate these programs to just eliminate these programs that got us to where we are, it’s just unfathomable,” said Lynn Brammer, a former vet-tech of over three decades at Virginia Tech.
“They’ve always said that they affirm the principles of community but where I’m standing right now, this is the principles of community,” said Tristan Reeves, a senior at the protest. “These are the individuals that they say that they’re supporting but they’re out here on these steps to protest your decision.”
Reeves said the resolution passing means all DEI programs, including the Office for Inclusive Strategy and Excellence and hundreds of on campus organizations, will cease to exist.
“Some of which are cultural and community centers [that] foster individuals to have their identities represented in in a safe and equitable space,” he said.
Both current students and alumni and staff who have been involved with the school for decades say it’s a heartbreaking step back in time.
“52 years ago when I walked into a classroom here, the instructor would call the class ‘gentlemen’ to start it,” said Betty McClellan, a two-time graduate at Tech. “I don’t want to see other women have to go back to that belittlement in education.”
“I’ve been here a lot of years but I’ve talked to people who have been here many, many more years and how hard they worked to be an inclusive University, and we cannot go back,” said Marcia Davitt, a professor at Tech.
Virginia Tech Police Officers were on the scene during the protest, but no action was taken against those participating.
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