After student protests, complaints about inequity and the arrest of a professor, Concordia University Chicago resolved to meet with student groups and explore creation of a full-time position to better guide the school in “service to its diverse community.”
Russell Dawn, president of the university, said in a recent statement issued to students that other steps also were planned for the school in River Forest, such as a survey, a workshop and regular group discussions.
The statement followed protests after English professor Paul Stapleton was banned from the campus April 8, according to documents he provided to Pioneer Press. Concordia Associate Vice President for Communications and Marketing Eric Matanyi declined to offer a reason for the ban, but said Stapleton was offered the opportunity to teach online and Stapleton declined.
Stapleton said he believes he was banned from campus for being outspoken about inequality and racial bias that he has observed at the university.
“When Dr. Stapleton spoke up against racism and everything happened, students started speaking up about teachers abusing their power,” said Jimena Jimenez, a 19-year-old English major from the near-west suburbs.
According to a letter the professor provided to Pioneer Press, the university notified Stapleton on April 11 that he was suspended with pay.
On that same day, River Forest Police arrested Stapleton, who had walked onto the campus, according to River Forest Police Department Police Records Supervisor Donna Petrulis. Stapleton was charged with criminal trespass to land, resisting and obstructing a police officer, and has a scheduled court date May 20 at Cook County’s Maywood courthouse, Petrulis said.
The arrest prompted on-campus student protests at the university on April 12, and the next day, the university held a “town hall” meeting with students to discuss the events. Afterward, Concordia President Russell Dawn sent a campus-wide email that said, in part, “your voices are heard, and we will do better.”
More Top Picks Plug
He later sent the message promising to explore the creation and funding of a full-time position dedicated to serving the university’s diverse community.
Ashley Jimenez, 19, a marketing major from the near-west suburbs and no relation to Jimena, said change is needed, and she has experienced uncomfortable moments in the classroom. She said, for instance, a male instructor said critical race theory should not be taught because it creates a division between students of color and white students.
“I was dumbfounded by the way he was trying to explain and justify these horrible actions by evolution, the word of God and how he was hinting it was a blessing,” she said via email. “Then he proceeded to look at me and comment, ‘I don’t want to step on any toes here, but I don’t think everyone should be let across the border.'”
When asked about the story and other experiences students shared, Matanyi said the university demands that all are treated with respect.
“Concordia-Chicago has a zero tolerance policy for racism and harassment, and the administration continues to do everything in its power to ensure that every member of the University community feels welcomed and respected,” he said.
Caleb Price, 20, a sophomore in Political Science from Arizona, thinks the school has been taking a more theological approach.
“They have cut many of the liberal arts programs and have focused on programs related to the Lutheran Church, such as Theology, Church Music, Education and History. They can stay true to the teachings and guidance of the LCMS, but they must then stop saying that they are accepting of all other faiths, as a majority of students on campus are not Lutheran, and in fact are Catholic, which the LCMS sees as going against their faith.”
Matanyi said students remain the school’s top priority.
“Since the town hall, the entire administration has worked—and will continue to work—on both immediate and long-term actionable steps to address student concerns,” he said via email. “Concordia-Chicago has been very clear that it openly accepts students, faculty and staff of all faiths as members of the University community.”