Belton, Texas - UMHB Students, Alumni, Faculty, and Staff,
As we have witnessed again in recent weeks, racism remains a pervasive evil in our country. Our black brothers and sisters are in pain. I am disheartened to hear about students and alumni who experienced racial injustice on our campus. We live in a fallen world, but there is never a justification for any form of racism to be tolerated, especially in our university community.
I promise that UMHB will strengthen our commitment to identify and eliminate the biases that contribute to racism on our campus. We are dealing with a heart problem. The most effective ways to change racist attitudes are through education and the work of the Holy Spirit. As a Christian university, we are uniquely positioned to provide opportunities for students to experience both. Our graduates can then go forward to help transform the hearts of the world. This is our vision of Christian higher education.
To this end, we will take a deeper look at how racism is affecting people of color on our campus. I encourage alumni, students, faculty, and staff who want to share their UMHB experiences to use the university's Report It webpage. When our community is back together this Fall, we will formally initiate conversations so we can listen to and, more importantly, hear those who have encountered racism on our campus. This feedback will be essential as we form a plan of action.
Together, we will identify where the university is falling short. We will then take prompt corrective action and purposeful steps to change biases and other factors that lead to racism. Ultimately, our actions will speak louder than our words. We love our black students. They deserve, and will receive, our very best!
Randy O’Rear, Ed.D.
President
