BY RANDY McNUTT
The Cincinnati Enquirer
OXFORD - Miami University President James C. Garland will meet with students today to discuss the climate on campus for minority students before leading them on a rally for campus unity.
The meeting will be at 6 p.m. in the Shriver Center. Although the meeting is open to the public, only students identified by the Black Student Action Association will be allowed to participate, said Miami spokesman Richard Little.
The association and other student groups will select 40-50 students for the conversation with the president.
"It is important for me to hear our students speak of their concerns, frustrations and experiences," Mr. Garland said in a statement released Tuesday. "I hope to assure students that Miami is not indifferent to their concerns, and that we share their abhorrence of hateful words and deeds."
The meeting takes place in the midst of what Mr. Garland called "a week of healing and unity for the Miami community."
Mr. Garland will lead a rally in the Fine Arts Plaza behind Shriver Center at 8 p.m. following the forum.
"This rally will provide an opportunity for the people of Miami to stand together and speak out against bigotry and intolerance," the second-year president said.
The meetings come after demonstrations last week by students protesting a recent racial incident.
On Oct. 30, a staff member entered the Center for Black Culture and Learning on campus and found several photocopied fliers containing racist and anti-gay messages in text and graphic form. Screen-savers in the computer lab included racist messages.
The building was locked and there was no sign of forced entry, officials said.
