President Ross addresses university by email after Friday's panel
Central Michigan University President George Ross answers a question from the audience in an open panel disccussion about inclusion on Dec. 4 at Plachta Auditorium.
The Office of the President sent out an email to Central Michigan University students at 5:17 p.m. on Monday afternoon in regards to the panel he lead on diversity and inclusion on Friday, Dec. 4.
The email was identified as a "personal message" from the president himself. In it, the president thanked everyone for attending the panel. He also summarized some of the main talking points on Friday, including when he misgendered a student who asked him a question.
"I unintentionally addressed a student incorrectly when responding to them during Friday’s forum," stated the email. "It exemplifies the opportunities we have to recognize something we’ve said that hurts others and make it right moving forward."
According to the email sent out to the CMU community, Ross personally apologized to the student and publicly apologized to the transgender community at CMU and all students for his error.
Being misgendered, Kai Niezgoda said, was disappointing but not as disappointing as when Ross explicitly said he didn't prioritize the needs of LGBTQ students in the budget, and the fact that he provided few concrete answers to anything asked during the panel.
"I think (the fact that he misgendered me) really exemplifies the amount of work that there is left to do in terms of making CMU a trans-friendly institution," the Royal Oak senior said. "It's really apparent that effort needs to start being reciprocated from administration."
Niezgoda said it's really important now for Ross to reinforce his words with action and getting informed on LGBTQ issues and transgender issues in particular.
"He did handle it in the best way that you can," Niezgoda said. "Clearly he is owning up to it, and it's pleasantly surprising that he did it in such a public way."
Ross also reiterated in the email his own experiences being discriminated against in Mount Pleasant.
"This is a wonderful community, but yes, racism exists on our campus and in our city — as it does across America," Ross said in the email.
Students, faculty and staff who feel they have been discriminated against or harassed can contact the Office of Civil Rights and Institutional Equity.
"Watch for an announcement of opportunities to continue this discussion when we return to campus in January," stated the email.
Niezgoda confirmed that Ross did come up to them after the panel where they talked briefly and he apologized personally.
"Mainly i just told him to expect more communication from me through the Office of LGBTQ Services in the upcoming week or so," they said. "It's about more than just me, it's about my whole community."
