University to host town hall meeting on race, respect, responsibility

LAWRENCE — Recent events at Yale University, the University of Missouri and other schools have amplified the ongoing national conversation about race and, more broadly, about respect and responsibility.

To further the discussion, the University of Kansas will host a town hall meeting on the topic of race, respect and responsibility at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, in the Big 12 Room of the Kansas Union.

The town hall meeting is designed to be an open conversation among students, faculty and staff on the topics of race and inclusion, as well as respect and responsibility. The goal is to create an affirming space for voices from a number of communities and backgrounds to be heard and considered.

The event is organized by the Office of Student Affairs and the Office of Diversity and Equity, in conjunction with the Office of Multicultural Affairs.

“Diversity is a foundational value for the University of Kansas,” said Nate Thomas, vice provost for diversity and equity, "and we remain committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive campus environment where individuals of all backgrounds can succeed and feel comfortable. Additionally, we want our students to be part of the national conversation on race and respect, a conversation that has accelerated in recent weeks on campuses across the country. This town hall meeting is an opportunity for us to advance the conversation.”