University of Richmond students pressed President Kevin Hallock on university measures to protect diversity, equity and inclusion and federal student grants and loans at the President's Forum on Tuesday evening.
Richmond and Westhampton College Student Government presidents and seniors Alfie Price and Amal Ali joined President Hallock on stage to facilitate the forum.
The Mortar Board, a national honor society of about 25 students and the event's host, preselected three questions covering themes of leadership, university decision-making and equitable development.
The themes were inspired by questions submitted in the registration form and given to President Hallock ahead of the forum, senior and president of the Mortar Board Katherine Thomey said. Students engaged in a live Q&A with President Hallock, Price and Ali after the preselected questions were answered.
“I wanted to know, in the face of current rollbacks on such programs in both the federal government, as well as in private companies, if the university will be taking any steps to further expand DEI programs in the upcoming years,” senior Christian Herald asked.
The question comes after President Donald Trump’s executive order on Jan. 22 to halt government DEI programs and threaten to suspend funding to universities with DEI policies.
“I do want you to understand our deep commitment to belonging in the community,” President Hallock responded. “Our mission is unchanged. Our commitments are unchanged. Our values haven’t changed.”
President Hallock also noted the addition of a DEI Board Committee to the university’s Board of Trustees.
Senior Ryan Doherty questioned the university’s response to Trump’s attack on federal student grants and loans.
“Is there anything that the university can do for students that are relying on federal loans and Pell Grants to come here?” Doherty asked.
Trump has called to close the Department of Education, which would redistribute student loans to another department.
“Multiple people in this room are working on that very issue,” President Hallock responded. “It’s my responsibility, and some other leaders of the university, to be paying very close attention to exactly what’s happening so that we can make sure our students are supported.”
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President Hallock spoke about other threats to the university under the Trump Administration, such as revocation of research funding and an increase in taxes on endowments.
Students also raised questions about the university’s support for arts and sports. Senior Asia Garcia expressed concern about where students in the arts can shine on campus.
“I wanted to know if there are any plans to build more of a connection between Modlin and the rest of the students.” Garcia is president of UR’s Block Crew and has battled with the Modlin Center for the Arts to book spaces for performances.
Modlin books some acts years in advance, making the spaces difficult to come by, President Hallock said. The audience also consists of UR alumni and community members, but few students.
“We want it to be more student-centric,” said President Hallock. “I would much rather have fewer performances of outside acts in Modlin but have them work with students.”
President Hallock said he is also working to address student enthusiasm around athletics and is open to student suggestions.
“Meaningful change takes time,” Price said. “A lot of what we’re doing is laying the foundations for future success, and that success may materialize long after we’re gone. But I think if you can operate under the motto that ‘Rome wasn’t built in a day,’ you realize you can get a lot done.”
Contact News Editor Ava Jenks at ava.humphries@richmond.edu.
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