“They were a great resource for bringing organizations of different backgrounds together to bolster the claim that we are a ‘diversity university,’” said junior journalism and women’s studies major Josh Fernandez, who published a column in the student newspaper calling on students to act in OMCA’s defense.
Temple Student Government President Kylie Patterson said the relative newness of the office limited its reach and is optimistic the Office of Student Activities can meet the needs of multicultural students.
“I think the majority of students are all just looking at the bottom line — saving money —especially considering how many students on our campus knew about the [Office of Multicultural Affairs] and accessed its services,” Patterson said.
Nevertheless, Patterson acknowledged some breakdown in Temple’s administrative transparency when during the summer a new dean of students was appointed without the participation of students — a break with tradition.
Reed and Brown said they believe the same kind of disenfranchisement and neglect occurred with the budget decisions in OMCA and the dissolution of some of its services.
“Its not that we don’t understand budget cuts, but students weren’t included nor given any justification in the decision-making process. It makes me wonder why?” Reed said. “There was no real communication and administration sent nothing to students. A contributing factor to our education has been taken away and we didn’t know about it.”
