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Students Protest Proposed Closing of General College
University of Minnesota officials want to get rid of something that's been around for more than 70 years, the entire General College. But college students and faculty are not ready to let it go without a fight. A university task force wants to close the college as part of a plan to make the U of M one of the top three research universities in the world. Some say the proposal is racist, elitist, and will close doors to a large number of minorities and disadvantaged students. Many who feel that way, rallied at the University on Wednesday. Students and faculty were photographed on the college steps, all of them wondering if there will be many more of these photos, now that they university has proposed shutting down the college. Students say the G.C. is their door to opportunity, ?It will close the opportunities for students of color, ?said one young woman. Another said the college gave her a second chance, ?I did not get high test scores myself so it was a stepping stone to get into college and now I've made the Dean?s list.? After having their picture taken, the students and faculty marched to the steps of the university president?s office. Students and faculty proudly point to the General College as having the most diverse student body on campus. And they argue, if it closes, many people will be shut out of a university education. Zeb Anderson addressed the crowd saying, ?That means less access for black, poor inner city and finally me, a rural white kid.? Under the new proposal, it is suggested that students on the edge go to community colleges out of high school, but student Celi Dean says that's elitist, ?I pay for my education and no one?s going to tell me where I have the right and do not have the right to go to college.? There were more than students speaking at the rally, Minneapolis City Councilmember Natalie Johnson Lee said the U needs the General College. ?These decisions are the epitome of racist policies. They are the epitome of elitism.? University president Bob Bruinicks, who unveiled the plan last month, was unavailable on Wednesday, but a U vice president spoke on his behalf denying the proposals are rooted in racism. Robert Jones says the General College hasn?t performed, ?I'm less than happy with the results we've gotten out of general college.? Jones also cites the low graduation rates. But several faculty say with students moving out of general college and into other colleges, that's an unfair attack. Professor Lisa Albrecht says most students don?t graduate from the General College, ?The rest of the university is responsible for graduation rates. So to blame G.C. is in total error.? The dean of General College called the process disrespectful and exclusionary. Next month the board of regents will review the strategic plan calling for the closing of General College and a final decision will be made this summer. Administrators say the General College programs would be merged with other colleges at the university and they add, if their proposals pass, they will re-double efforts to recruit and enroll students of color. By Bernie Grace, KARE 11 News (Copyright 2005 by KARE. All Rights Reserved.)
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