Petition demanding increase Black enrollment signed by 600 students, delivered to NYU admin
New York, NY – On November 2, the Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) at NYU gathered at Garibaldi Plaza for a petition delivery to the NYU administration demanding an increase in Black enrollment and a better Black student experience at NYU. The campaign was launched by SDS in collaboration with several Black student organizations including the Black Student Union, Brown Sugar Brilliance, NYU Alphas, and others.
The students are demanding: Increase Black enrollment to 20% within the next five years; publicly and transparently release demographic data on enrollment; create a Black space on campus within a year; hire more Black faculty, and release demographic data on faculty.
The campaign’s petition amassed over 600 signatures, 12 student organization endorsements, and four community organizations’ endorsements.
Students chanted, “We want more than 3.4! We won’t stay quiet anymore” to highlight the drop to 3.4% Black enrollment for the class of 2029. Students also chanted, “We want justice you say how? Increase Black enrollment now!” and “Raise your voice, put up a fight, education is our right!” People passing by took photos and videos of the protest, many people pumped their fists to show support, and others took fliers.
Delio Vasquez, assistant professor at the NYU Gallatin School of Individualized Study, told the crowd, “Many of us feel that we can survive this regime in Washington by capitulating to their demands even as those demands become increasingly authoritarian and even as that regime does not hide their efforts to subvert the electoral process. In some instances, we have engaged in cold calculus that values some of our students above others to protect the university and sacrifice Black students, immigrant students, queer students, activist students and others.”
Elle Noorul, member of SDS, read aloud a statement from Zoe’ Bell, Student Senator at Large for Black Students and Students of Color, saying, “I refuse to believe that the Black student experience at NYU has to remain what it is today. And I refuse to believe that the students who come after us should inherit the same frustrations simply because we accepted them as part of attending this university. The changes we’re demanding will require all of us to remain involved, share our experiences, and hold this institution accountable.”
Lincey Violette, member of SDS and emcee for the rally, stated, “This fight has been happening long before my arrival here, and, after hearing my peers share their own experiences at the Black Town Hall, the need for support and change towards increasing Black enrollment has only grown. We are here fighting for Black joy, Black representation, and to hold our university accountable for its dismissal of Black voices here at NYU.”
Leianis Gunn, a member of Get Free Violets stated, “This fight is more than just about enrollment numbers, it's about ensuring that Black students have access to this university, and also the resources, the community and institutional support to thrive once we are here. So, NYU, we urge you to make concrete commitments to increase Black enrollment.”
Protesters marched to deliver the petition to the admissions office. Zaara Ahmed, another member of SDS, and Lincey Violette went inside to deliver the petition but were blocked by campus security saying that they were not allowed in. As tensions boiled between campus security and the protesters, the protesters were then redirected to Bobst library to deliver the petition to the president’s office.
Protesters outside the library chanted “Black enrollment’s through the floor! We won’t take it anymore!” and “Education is a right! Not just for the rich and white!” Zaara and Lincey gave the petition and requested a meeting to discuss the demands. However, they were told, “We hope to respond soon, but we cannot give you a timeline.” Officials continued to give only vague answers to the students' demands for a meeting.
To end off the action, the students recited a chant by Assata Shakur, “It is our duty to fight for our freedom. It is our duty to win. We must love each other and support each other. We have nothing to lose but our chains.” Protesters vowed to continue fighting for increased Black enrollment at the university.