Whereas Indiana University leadership is engaged in troubling acts of racist retrenchment, we call on the university administration and board to restore respect for all. Racist retrenchment has resulted in the elimination of resources for students of underrepresented groups as well as critical support for faculty and staff. The actions challenge I.U.'s remarkable, historic legacy as a school where all are welcome and offered the opportunity to thrive.

In recent months the following actions (and more) have taken place:

1. The awarding of scholarships designated for specific students based on ethnicity or sexual orientation have been "paused."

2. Websites and campus materials have been scrubbed of words and phrases related to diversity or programs seeking racial understanding.

3. Posters around campus with the words "Build a Community Where All Belong" have been removed from bulletin boards and public spaces.

4. Names of programs or offices that provide services or support for underrepresented students are being removed or painted over.  The sign OVPDEI (Office of the Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) has been painted over and left blank. Programs housed in this now unidentified building include Groups Scholars, FASE Mentoring, Twenty First Century Scholars and Hudson-Holland Scholars. Will all cultural centers face such identity-theft and censure, while programs that serve virtually all White programs and services go unchanged?

5. The essential core of academic freedom is being tested.  Faculty face threats to their course materials over the use of language and/or ideas that call for the addressing of systemic or institutional racism.

Therefore, we, the students, alumni, faculty and staff, and friends of Indiana University, call for an end to such racist actions. We demand that on all its campuses, Indiana University STOP this retrenchment of White Racism as normative.  We demand that campus leaders meet with underrepresented faculty, staff, students and others to address these concerns and that a commitment to the welcoming of ALL immediately be restored no matter race, class, creed or sexual orientation.