HSU President responds to NAACP criticism

EUREKA – The Eureka branch of the NAACP is calling on Humboldt State University to stop actively recruiting people of color. That’s because, they say, the school doesn’t support an environment where students of color can thrive.

In a statement yesterday, the organization points to experiences of racism in HSU classrooms, and systemic racism in the surrounding community. They also refer to the unsolved murder of former Humboldt State student, Josiah Lawson. They say that sending Humboldt State recruiters who travel to minority-majority communities with the intent of bringing in more students of color is not appropriate — being that administrators fail take an active role in addressing racism and safety concerns.

Now they are asking that HSU provide budget for permanent student support services for their diverse student body, among other requests.

HSU President Lisa Rossbacher is responding tonight. Saying in a statement she was “Astonished that the Eureka NAACP chapter would suggest that HSU could or should stop recruiting students of color…” she went on to say, “I disagree with many of the statements in the letter, but I do agree with the larger point, that HSU and the North Coast need to do more. Our country struggles with a history of racism and racial inequality on the national and local levels. We must find ways, and work together, to create a brighter future for all our students.”