Students found a flyer in a building on the University at Buffalo's north campus Monday afternoon calling out "anti-white propaganda". It also promotes a right wing political blog.
UB's Director of Counseling Services said race and identity have been topics on the school's radar for years, but that the recent election has jolted the system.
"I've worked on college campuses for 25 years and I've never heard students talk about the political process and be this stirred up by it," she said.
The goal, she said, is to create a campus atmosphere where different opinions are celebrated and students work to understand and respect each other.
"UB has to be a community where everybody feels included and everybody feels welcome and where we can respectfully disagree with each other," she said. "The key word on respect."
UB's president sent out a letter to the campus community following the election and called for unity.
"Given the tone and rhetoric of this election season, I believe it is more important than ever for all of us to listen closely to one another—especially when we have divergent points of views and experiences—and try to understand each other and learn from one another."
Buffalo State's president sent a similar message to campus in response to the election:
“Emotions are running high across our country, communities, and college campuses today. As we come off a deeply divisive presidential campaign cycle, I encourage all members of our community to be supportive and understanding of one another. Here at Buffalo State, one of the college’s core values is respect for diversity and individual differences. We must continue to keep these values in mind in the days ahead.”
Buffalo State is also planning different events to let students and staff get together and discuss the election.
A campuswide post-election discussion with various faculty and staff members will be held on Thursday, November 17, from 12:15 to 1:30 p.m. in Bulger Communication Center, North 262.
A student forum is scheduled for 5 p.m. at Newman Center on November 21.
