The University of Florida is considering connecting the buildings of the Institute of Black Culture and Institute of Hispanic Affairs, and that has some students upset.
Yesterday members of the two communities made sure that university officials know exactly where they stand.
The group stormed into an ongoing Multicultural and Diversity Affairs board meeting, demanding the two cultural buildings remain separate.
“We are here because we have tried every other way that we possibly know how to get the attention of the administration and MCDA to hear our voices and we felt like we have not been heard. And so today is a protest for our voices to be amplified and for our voices to be heard by the people who need to hear them,” said one of the protesters, UF student Courtney Ricketts.
“My initial feelings when students entered was one of giving them the space and the opportunity to be present. It’s a public meeting, so I was familiar with the plans of possibly coming, but also had chairs prepared in the back and wanted to make sure that we provide as much opportunity for people to be there as possible,” said MCDA executive director William Atkins.
MCDA must make a decision before the renovations can continue.