Robert J. Jones will be formally introduced to the University of Illinois Urbana campus this morning as its new chancellor, and as the first African-American to lead the U of I’s flagship campus. One U of I professor of African-American studies says he hopes Jones can help make the school more racially inclusive and democratic.
Professor Erik McDuffie says it’s been a
I would really just want to express my concern about the safety and well-being of people of color on this campus, and that he understands the gravity of the situation. -U of I Professor Erik McDuffie.
“volatile” time for minority students and faculty at the Urbana campus. He cites recent incidents in which a white groundskeeper left a noose on the desk of a black co-worker, and anti-immigrant chalk messages, apparently referencing the Donald Trump campaign, were written on the sidewalk near the Department of Latino/Latina Studies. McDuffie says he wants to talk to the new chancellor about these incidents.
Jones is currently the president of the University of Albany, State University of New York. Before that, he a vice-provost at the University of Minnesota, where he worked on initiatives to recruit and retain faculty of color.
U of I trustees will vote on Jones’ appointment when they meet on the Urbana campus Thursday.