BSU Protests DEI Cuts as Part of 55th Annual Fashion Show

The 55th annual Black Student Union fashion show was hosted on Feb. 28, capping off BSU’s programming for Black History Month.

Interim President Matt Schroeder and Interim Provost Scott Molitor were in attendance, a first for both according to Molitor. They were invited by BSU President Majesty Ali and Vice President Marquan Denby.

The event displayed several fashion pieces created by Black artists, and hosted several Black-owned vendors.

Last year, all race-conscious scholarships were paused due to the federal overturn of affirmative action in 2023. This year, BSU awarded six scholarships at the event, ranging from $500 to $1000 each.

“It’s heartwarming when we see people come out and actually enjoy what we've actually done to put on a good show for them,” said Cole Fullen, BSU's director of external affairs and co-emcee for the night.

Towards the end of the show, the performers and executive board filled the stage with signs and spoke directly to the crowd and to Molitor, as Schroeder left during the intermission of the show.

“[Diversity, equity, and inclusion] is not just about the policies or the programs," said Denby, "it’s about creating the environment where every student, regardless of their background, feels like they belong here and that this university values who they are."

DEI and its importance were a primary theme of many of the executive members' speeches, with many expressing their disappointment with the university’s lack of commitment to DEI.

Ali stated her frustration with the university not providing the funding she requested, and the lack of financial support BSU and other minority-focused organizations receive.

Ali says she's requested more funding for BSU to "execute everything that we wanted to do and what's in [BSU's] mission statement" in light of a growing Black population on campus, and Schroeder "did say that he was going to give [it] to [BSU]," but Ali "never heard back from him again on that situation."

Ali met with Schroeder several times throughout the academic year, and brought up the unequal distribution of funding to BSU when compared to organizations like CAP.

"There was a lack of funding going towards BSU compared to organizations on campus like CAP, and one of those higher ones that a lot of students are able to attend," said Ali.

After the elimination of the university's Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in July of 2024, Ali reached out to see if the remaining funding for that area could be given to BSU or other minority focused initiatives, as "they kind of had it just sitting there," she said.

“I’m tired of being silent, I’m tired of sitting here and putting my fear and faith into somebody else,” said Ali. “As students, it’s time that you educate yourself. Don’t wait on someone to invite you to the table; you make the table.”