College in Indiana Cancels Classes Over Diversity Concerns

Earlham College, in Richmond, Ind., canceled classes on Thursday after a group of students voiced concerns about diversity on the campus, The Palladium-Item reports.

Protesting students said in a “List of Requirements Concerning Students of Color,” delivered to administrators on Monday, that the “campus is unsuitable for students of color to thrive.”

In the document, the students laid out nine demands, including increasing the number of minority faculty members, requiring racial-diversity training for all students, and holding a consistent series of student meetings with the college’s leaders.

A series of meetings was scheduled for Thursday, including an all-campus meeting. The college enrolls roughly 1,000 undergraduates.

Brian Zimmerman, the college’s director of media relations, said in a written statement to the newspaper: “Earlham strives to be the most diverse and inclusive learning community possible, and we are nationally recognized for these efforts. However, we’re actively listening on how we can do better. Following today’s all-campus meeting, the college’s Diversity Progress Committee will regularly meet with this group of students to reconcile their concerns.”