Hey all, my ex-college just fired one of the RDs for having pronouns in her email signature and speaking up that they were closing the Multicultural center & further pushing away students of color.
It's getting some traction on Twitter but hasn't made its way to TikTok so it would be wonderful if people could share there or engage with current videos about it.
#houghtonuniversity do better. #wny #transphobia #homophobia
[Image Description: A letter posted by thats_soraegan on Instagram, dated April 19, 2023
Raegan,
You previously tendered your resignation advising that you did not intend to return next year. However, as a result of your refusal to remove pronouns in your email signature in violation of institutional policy, and false and defamatory statements attributed to you in the recent Star article, please be advised of the following:
You are being relieved of your duties effective immediately.
Your email and network access will be terminated immediately.
All keys (other than your personal apartment) and University property (laptop, credit card, etc) must be turned in to Marc Smithers immediately.
You may not use any institutional social media account you may have access to.
All remaining contractual salary will be paid on May 19th.
Health and other insurance benefits will cease May 31.
You will vacate your apartment by the end of the day on May 19th.
Your presence on campus should be limited to your apartment, to get your mail, and to get meals in the dining hall on a "to go" basis only. If you wish to be in any other parts of campus, permission must be recieved from Marc Smithers.
If you have any questions, please contact me.
Sincerely,
Nancy Stanley
Associate Director of Human Resources
End Description]
Linked above is the article the letter refers to. I've quoted the relevant passages below.
"Women’s Area Coordinator Raegan Zelaya remarks that while she understands the reasoning behind closing the Mosaic Center, Houghton–as an institution–can’t claim to value diversity if we aren’t doing everything we can to safeguard and develop it.
'If anything,' Zelaya writes, 'it feels like it just further demonstrates that the university is only interested in the kinds of diversity that are convenient for marketing purposes. It is outrageous to have diversity as a pillar in our strategic plan when we are actively cutting the programs and spaces that help empower diverse students to succeed.'"
