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Friday, July 25, 2025

C.H.A.N.G.E's Open Letter to Longwood University

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President of BSA Myles Johnson Stands with a sign that reads "We Belong Here Too"

Recent events at the University of Virginia have highlighted the disparities for Black and Minoritized students not just within UVA but at predominantly White Institutions across this country, including Longwood University.

For years the administration and the student government associations’ actions have made it appear to Minoritized students on campus that you care very little for us and the issues of racism, discrimination, and injustice which we face.

Last year you presented campus with the university Diversity Strategic Plan that for all intents and purposes has never been mentioned again. There is clearly a lack of transparency and accountability regarding the universities own proclaimed diversity solutions either through SGA or any administration communications. The plan cannot even be found on the Longwood University website.

Your actions speak much louder than your words ever have and as of late your actions have given minority students no evidence that you hear our concerns or want to be a part of the change we are no longer asking for but demanding.

To the SGA, you give off the impression that you have little to no regard for Minority students’ needs and concerns. It appears to Minority students that you rush through and overlook the problems we bring to you to pursue personal interests of yours such as your pay rates, thousands of dollars spent on hammock groves, and tours of the unfinished convocation building during which one of your senate members could not even access the building due to the lack of accessibility.

Your actions have shown Minoritized students that the racism, prejudice, discrimination, and hate that we face in our lives do not matter to you. None of you can say that you're unaware of the issues minority students face. Look at the poor quality of "safe" spaces. Look at the long standing lack of diversity within staff and administration. Look at the lack of minority mental health services and the plethora of other serious issues that have all been brought to your attention and have yet to be changed.

Last year I personally addressed the SGA and stated issues and solutions we wanted to see on campus. Since then there have been little to no substantial long-term changes that can be found anywhere on campus or within Minority organizations. In regard to Minority organizations we feel unseen by SGA executive members due to your consistent absences from our meetings and events, the sharp and visible cuts to our budgets, and the overwhelming lack of racial diversity on your executive board despite calling yourselves a representative government.

To the administration, you have shown us your lack of care for our safety and well-being on numerous occasions. You fail to hold the SGA accountable for their promises of involvement with Multicultural and minority groups on campus. You allow them to push their responsibilities onto minority students and staff. You change the names of buildings on campus without explaining the changes or publicizing them past word of mouth. And you yourselves also never bring up the diversity strategic plan and its current standings. Your self-proclaimed focus on the

future, gives you all an escape from the present that you happily take advantage of at every turn. Lastly and most painfully, there has been an injustice that has left a resounding thud in the core of minority students, and that was the waving of a Confederate flag at the Heart of Virginia festival.

The HOV festival was advertised by Longwood as an event for Family Weekend. We recognize that the event was independent of Longwood in nature; however, by Longwood being a sponsor to the event and advertising it as though it was a Longwood-organized event administration owed it to their minority students to address the hate-motivated flag and those waving it. It was flown in front of the Rotunda, a staple symbol for Longwood. This is not the first time the flag has been flown there. This troubling pattern of behavior sets a precedent on Longwood's behalf of acceptance and appreciation towards the flag. At the last Heart of Virginia festival, the same flag by the same organization was flown in the same spot right next to the Moton Museum booth, no less. One of the main symbols of oppression was flown proudly: casting its historically deadly shadow down upon Longwood minority students and their families. Might I remind you that the Longwood administration stood by and did nothing. You did nothing as we looked on in horror, you did nothing as we turned away in shame at being a part of this university, you did nothing when they shoved minority students out of the way if we got too close to their booth.

To the Administration: you showed where you truly stand in the battle minority students face. You did it publicly, proving to us that we are nothing more than marketing fodder for you. For that, we the Minoritized students of Longwood stand in solidarity with Black UVA and because What Happens There Happens Here we Do Not Trust You.

 




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