UPDATE: Groundswell of St. Olaf students gather after racist notes found; A Collective for Change on the Hill makes demands; Clean up Days in Nfld

Listen for my updated story at 5pm with sound from the meeting on KYMN

From Kari VanDerVeen late this afternoon:

At 3 p.m. today, St. Olaf College leaders reached an agreement with the student-led group “Collective for Change on The Hill.” The terms in the agreement outline the process for addressing our mutual concerns about racism and diversity on our campus. This includes establishing an autonomous task force to examine the issues raised by students.

This is an important first step in a process for a long-term solution. College leaders are committed to moving forward in a spirit of collaboration with students, faculty, and staff.

 

 Story below:
Over the weekend, a swell of St. Olaf students came together over racist notes left around campus.  Including one discovered Saturday afternoon directly addressing a student and adding “shut up or I will shut you up”.  Students of color on campus blocked the cafeteria and occupied the commons. St. Olaf student and KYMN intern, Dan Hagen reports that near 10pm President David Anderson arrived and proceeded to respond to a series of questions from students of color. I have posted audio of that Q&A on kymn.net . About a thousand students continued to occupy the commons.  Northfield Police Chief Monte Nelson said his officers responded to multiple calls Saturday evening as people attending events were blocked from exiting the building.  Protesters also blocked the road.  They were on scene for about 4 hours.  As the college is on private property, their security handles investigations.  There have been 7 reported racist notes dating back to October of 2016.  An earlier email from President Anderson to students decried the acts saying in part,  It violates all of our values as a College and a community. It is a despicable and cowardly act.”[envira-gallery id=”62340″]

A Collective for Change on the Hill makes demands

After many students slept overnight Saturday in the commons, on Sunday morning “A Collective for Change on the Hill“, as the leaders of the movement call themselves, organized a march into Boe Chapel during the church service where a black student gave the congregation a message, according to Hagen. Administration canceled classes today in response to protesting students, lead by Don Williams and Tia Schaffer, who are occupying Tomson Hall today in lieu of attending classes.  They’re not alone, in fact a visit on campus at 10 this morning proved that the vast majority of students were in Tomson Hall.  The Collective had demanded that Administration meet them on their terms but, one student told me that it was obvious they needed to meet in Tomson 280.  It was full to capacity as well as most of the other rooms as students and faculty gathered around monitors as the discussions were streamed live.  Emails have been sent out by students saying that those who don’t stand with them, stand against them.   Also indicating that events taking place on Saturday were organic, that the solidarity was not organized.  The have a list of demands on their website A Collective for Change on the Hill.com  Links are above.  {changes were made to their list} update later

Clean up days for Nfld and Dundas

Despite the cold/rain/sleet, it’s still clean up days in Northfield and Dundas.  The City of Northfield will hold 2, Saturdays May 6th and 13th from 7am to 11am, residents can take their junk to the Maintenance site at 1710 riverview Dr.  Supervisor TJ Heinricy said there’s no charge for most of the junk, however there are fees for electronics, tires and more.  Click HERE for the list.   You must bring your ID verifying residency, that could be a utility bill.  Dundas will hold their Clean Up day on May 13th.  (This is on our Calendar on our front page)

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