Miami University Leaders,

           I would like to formally inform you of the recent event that has 
taken place on Miami’s campus. After a critical class discussion of race 
relations, a student commented that he saw a tree with nooses hanging from 
it. With the conclusion of class Jasmine Dixon and I walked to the location 
in which the young man described as the location of the hanging nooses. 
Much to our dismay we found seven nooses, with a tire swing hanging from a 
tree outside of the Western Alumni Hall and Museum, on Western Drive. 
Numerous people showed up after our arrival. Including: Miami OPD, Dr. 
Susan Mosley-Howard, Darryl Williams, the student responsible for hanging 
the nooses, and other black Miami students. With the students arrival he 
was questioned by me, Jasmine Dixon, and Dr. Susan Mosley Howard about his 
motives behind such a heinous display of ignorance and disrespect. The 
young Art major stated that he had no ill intentions and that this was an 
art project approved by his professors that was meant to portray 
adolescence and death. There were pictures taken and a report taken by the 
Miami OPD.            

         This email is to serve as more then merely a description of recent 
events that may not surprise you but, upset you. However, this is a call 
for all of Miami’s leaders to no longer be shackled by the confines of 
a “week” or “black history month”, or any other time frame that 
is “designated” for our voices to heard. It is now time for us to be heard 
as ONE voice. We need to come together under one umbrella of a call for 
CHANGE! An issue that Miami has been calling “diversity”, has been 
spiraling out of control for entirely to long. While we continue to chase 
the red tape of the university around in circle, on the issues that we want 
to see addressed and changed, the problems persist. We can sugar coat the 
issue of race on Miami’s campus all day. But, the bottom line is we need 
more multicultural faculty and staff on Miami’s campus, and we need overall 
awareness of multiculturalism. Multiculturalism awareness, not only from 
the stand point of the students but, the faculty and staff as well. This 
problem of race relations has been on going without any sign of change, and 
if Miami University can not find a solution to this issue and implement 
immediate change then it is up to us to bring the solutions to Miami 
University and see it through. THE TIME IS NOW!!!!!! In light of the prompt 
response of President Hodge, (which is a milestone within the actions of 
past Miami Presidents in situations such as this) we are trusting that the 
administration will diligently work with us in an effort to alter the race 
climate and lack of student and faculty diversity. 

         We would like to initiate an emergency meeting Saturday Nov 3rd, 
2007 at 3pm at the College Suites Club House, to discuss the solutions to 
problems of diversity, respect, and all of the above. These solutions will 
be drafted into a letter that will be presented to President Hodge, and 
seen through to there enactment. More details of the meeting with President 
Hodge will be given during the meeting. This will not be another DAC 
meeting, General Body Meeting, or harbor any specific title. This is a call 
to all leaders on Miami’s campus to take the initiative to say that ENOUGH 
IS ENOUGH and that we must pave the way and not leave these same burdens 
with those that will follow after us!

P.S. Please feel free to bring your advisors. PLEASE SEND THIS ACROSS ANY 
LISTSERV YOU ARE APART OF!!!!!!!!!! 
 
Shaneqa Harper
Jasmine Dixon
Denise Mack 
 
 
Shaneqa Harper
Miami University 
Oxford, Ohio 45056
Black World Studies/Marketing 
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Miami 
University Chapter President  
 
~ 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8