NAACP calls for ouster of Bethune-Cookman president over DeVos visit

Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos to speak at Wednesday commencement

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The NAACP Florida State Conference is demanding the ouster of Bethune-Cookman University leaders in connection with Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos' upcoming visit to the school.

The group is calling for the immediate resignations of school president Edison Jackson and Joe Petrock, chairman of the Board of Trustees.

DeVos is scheduled to speak Wednesday at B-CU's commencement.

Her appearance has sparked controversy, and the NAACP alleges that B-CU officials have threatened students and staff to keep them quiet.

"Since our initial public outcry last week, multiple allegations have surfaced, including faculty intimidation demanding their silence or risk termination and threats to students by potentially withholding earned degrees and fines for freedom of expression," the NAACP said. "If these allegations are proven, this contrasts the public statements of university administration who oppose suppressing voices by welcoming DeVos, but lends indirect support to these actions against faculty and students."

Cynthia Slater, President of the NAACP Volusia County-Daytona Beach Chapter, said the university is threatening to withhold the degrees and transcripts for any senior who protests. Undergraduate students could  face suspension, be kicked out of organizations or face a fine.

"They'll have a fine of $1,000. I don't know where they get this arbitrary number of $1,000 from," she said.

The NAACP said it has been in contact with several attorneys around the state.

"Our partners have reviewed the university student code of conduct, and it does not contain any prohibition on peaceful protests and freedom of expression," the group said. "The NAACP Volusia County Daytona Beach Branch and several attorneys will be on the ground monitoring this situation."

The group said it feels that DeVos should not speak on campus, adding that her record does not support her receiving an honorary degree from the school.

"With the recent comments of President Trump suggesting federal funding for HBCUs is unconstitutional, this validates our view of a horrible decision by the university inviting DeVos, who still has not pledged to drastically increase funding for all historically black colleges and universities," the NAACP said.

A peaceful protest is scheduled for noon on May 10.

BC-U issued a statement about the controversy Monday evening.

"We have not and will not seek to chill the free speech of our students and faculty; as we support the free exchange of alternative ideas in all academic efforts," the statement read. "Commencement is an occasion that celebrates the best of our students and we have always endeavored to ensure that it is considered a sacred and reverent ceremony. We uphold existing policies and procedures to protect the integrity of our commencement exercises and will continue to do so during Secretary DeVos’ visit."

 

Watch News 6 for more on this story.


About the Author:

Daniel started with WKMG-TV in 2000 and became the digital content manager in 2009. When he's not working on ClickOrlando.com, Daniel likes to head to the beach or find a sporting event nearby.

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