Brenda Clack said the notion that the nooses found on CMU’s campus in November were a “Halloween prank” is not legitimate.

“I’m from Tennessee. I understand what nooses imply,” the Michigan Legislative Black Caucus leader said. “It’s not fair for any student to be intimidated.”

Clack, D-Flint, was one of six members of the Michigan Legislative Black Caucus who visited CMU for a public forum Wednesday in Charles V. Park Library Auditorium.

The caucus said an open forum on CMU’s campus was important even before the nooses were discovered. Members came to talk with students about any concerns they may have had. Topics ranged from education to diversity issues.

Detroit senior Greg Pettway told Clack the nooses found in the Engineering and Technology Building didn’t just affect the minority students on campus.

“This is something that affected the majority (of students on campus),” he said.

Pettway stood before the caucus and described how he was informed of the nooses. He said he had “heard it through the grapevine” and wasn’t sure how to react.

“My first reaction was ‘How is this campus going to react to this situation?’” he said.

The fact that the accused student has not been named also bothered Pettway. Both Pettway and the caucus said the name should be released.

Clack also criticized Isabella County Prosecutor Larry Burdick for not taking action faster against the student who admitted to police he hung the nooses.

“I’ve yet to get a report from the prosecutor of this county,” Clack said. “He appears to be avoiding (the incident).”

Clack also said since the student used CMU property for the nooses, he should be charged with vandalism.

Burdick was in attendance at the forum, but left before the discussion regarding the nooses occurred.

State Representative Shanelle Jackson, D-Detroit, said the way the media has covered the incident has changed how people react to the event.

“They (the media) put things in front of us and they don’t expect that we will say that that empowers us,” Jackson said.

Education, including a proposed bill in the legislature that would raise the minimum age to leave school to 18, also was discussed.

Clack said with the job market being so competitive, children need to be well-prepared for the jobs Michigan has available. Without proper education, children cannot be a success in the workforce, she said.

Sen. Buzz Thomas, D-Detroit, said he proposed students should be enrolled in school longer than what they currently are, extending mandatory schooling to two years past high school.

“That way folks have at least an associate’s degree,” he said.

Not only should students require more schooling, Thomas said, but it should be provided to them at no additional cost.

State Rep. Robert Jones, D-Kalamazoo, said requiring students to attend school longer won’t necessarily be a wise decision.

He also mentioned the funding for education is not at the amount it should be.

“We can educate two or three students for the price of keeping one in prison,” Jones said.

Kathy Wilbur, vice president for government relations and public affairs, said CMU would look into bringing the caucus back to campus for an open forum in the fall.

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