The WKU Young Democratic Socialists of America care deeply about the lives of the students and staff at Western Kentucky University, especially those of color. In response to the We Are One letter sent out by President Caboni, we have created a list of demands which we feel will resolve pressing issues of racial injustice at this institution. 

Within six months (by March 2021)

We demand Black studies be made a required class in the colonnade program and that students of every program of study must enroll in at least one other African-American Studies class.

We demand that each major implements a section of their curriculum to be dedicated to Black pioneers of the field that students are enrolled in, (i.e., Black filmmakers in film studies courses, black authors in literature courses).

We demand improved mental health services that cater to the unique and diverse needs of students of color by hiring counselors of color to help better assist students. 

We demand that diversity initiatives should NOT be made from the standpoint of the dominant group (white men and women). Black students need their voices heard loudly and should be involved in the decision-making process. 

We demand an increase to the number of professional development workshops specifically tailored for Black students.

We demand to increase the number of tenure tracks for Black faculty across ALL departments and colleges.

We demand the University defend the rights of all employees, including contracted employees, on campus and require contracted companies to make accommodations to improve social distancing measures and alter workplace requirements. We demand they are provided adequate healthcare coverage and paid sick leave.

We demand an increase in minimum wage for all hourly paid university employees by 15%.

We demand that WKU Observe Juneteenth (June 19th) as a paid University-wide holiday.

We demand that WKU allocate resources specifically to Black students in the Mahurin Honors College and devote energies towards furthering their professional development.

We demand that mandatory racial justice training be done each year by faculty, staff, and students. 

We demand the Jonesville commemorative marker be included as a landmark in all tours given by the university.

We demand WKU holds a University-wide town hall meeting in order to communicate and address further concerns to eliminate racial inequity from the broader Western community. 

Within 12 months (September 2021)

We demand the institution implement a graduation requirement that requires all students to be educated to think and work cross-culturally living, and promote diversity and inclusion.

We demand required cultural awareness, race and ethnicity, and intersectional LGBT diversity training for members of Greek Life and all student organizations on campus. 

We demand the school implements specific procedures for a Bias Reporting System (first report: warning, second report: parent contact and counseling, the third report: a monetary fine).

We demand that Black students have a solid role and direct involvement in the hiring of faculty and staff.

We demand that WKU cuts the police budget by 70% and makes an itemized budget for the WKUPD publicly available every year, including retroactively releasing the itemized budgets from all past documented years. 

We demand the implementation of a Black Lives Matter scholarship for Black students who fight to end racial injustice, especially in our higher education system. This would help to eliminate some debt that Black students carry from wanting to further their academic careers.

We demand that WKU employ a specific financial advisor who is familiar with the unique financial burdens belonging to first generation college students, students of undocumented immigrants, and undocumented students.