University of North Florida presidential sole finalist Michael Shannon addressed student concerns over student accessibility, diversity and university policies during an open forum on Sept. 10.<\/p>\n
Shannon, the current president of the University of North Georgia, spoke on the fourth floor of Osprey Commons. The event was part of a series of campus forums, which included separate sessions for faculty and staff on Sept. 9 and 10.<\/p>\n
Commitments to diversity and inclusion<\/p>\n
Niko Harden, a senior ecology major, raised concerns about a reported lack of support for multicultural groups at UNG and asked how Shannon plans to support diverse student organizations at UNF, such as the Muslim Student Association, Black Student Union, and Pride Club.<\/p>\n
Shannon said he needs to engage with more students to better understand campus organizations, emphasizing his commitment to working with all student groups.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll of us are created equal; all of us show up differently. None of us decide the family we get to be born into,\u201d Shannon said. \u201cI care deeply about everybody, and I realize everybody\u2019s interests and needs are a little different.\u201d<\/p>\n
The discussion comes at a time when university leaders across Florida are navigating shifting state policies regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion, particularly after Florida Senate Bill 266<\/a><\/p>\n and the Florida Board of Governors\u2019 Regulation 9.016<\/a> were approved.<\/p>\n This legislation prohibits Florida public universities and colleges from spending state or federal funds on any programs, policies, or activities that promote or advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, or that engage in political or social activism.<\/p>\n UNF officially closed<\/a> its Office of Diversity and Inclusion on May 1, 2024.<\/p>\n Campus immigration policies<\/p>\n Calvin Pell, a senior physics major, asked Shannon about UNF\u2019s 287(g) agreement<\/a>, a program that enables local police officers to receive training and authority from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to assist with federal immigration enforcement on campus.<\/p>\n Pell also asked how Shannon would ensure administrative transparency regarding such policies.<\/p>\n During Shannon\u2019s tenure at UNG, the university did not maintain a 287(g) agreement with federal immigration authorities, according to Shannon.<\/p>\n Shannon said he didn\u2019t know what the agreement was and that he would need to research the matter further, adding that he prefers to be honest when he lacks information on a topic.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s how I roll,\u201d said Shannon.<\/p>\n Addressing accessibility challenges<\/p>\n Fahad Amjad, a multimedia journalism major who is legally blind, shared his experiences with accessibility challenges on campus and asked if Shannon would collaborate with disabled students to improve campus infrastructure.<\/p>\n Shannon thanked Amjad for his questions and said that he would \u201cget to the bottom of it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know what\u2019s going on; I need to understand it better. You have my commitment: we\u2019re going to work on this together,\u201d Shannon said.<\/p>\n Following the forum, Amjad spoke with Spinnaker to clarify that his primary concerns stem from physical infrastructure rather than the services provided by the Student Accessibility Center.<\/p>\n \u201cMy director has treated me well; I don\u2019t have any ill will or anything to say that he could be doing things better. It really comes down to, at the end of the day, how the whole thing is built,\u201d Amjad said.<\/p>\n UNF has ongoing obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act to gradually modernize older campus buildings, walkways, and physical infrastructure to meet current accessibility standards, according to UNF\u2019s ADA Compliance Vision and Mission website<\/a>.<\/p>\n Amjad said that he felt Shannon was sincere in his pledge to consult with disabled students.<\/p>\n \u201cI think that he was willing to have that conversation and he\u2019s willing to understand our world,\u201d said Amjad.<\/p>\n Value of experiential learning<\/p>\n Winter Slaughter, UNF Student Government pro-tempore, highlighted an upcoming experiential learning opportunity in Long Beach, California, and asked if Shannon would continue prioritizing experiential learning as previous administrations have at UNF.<\/p>\n Shannon congratulated Slaughter on the opportunity and reaffirmed his support for UNF\u2019s strategic focus on experiential learning, noting that practical experiences build valuable skills for students after graduation.<\/p>\n \u201cExperiential learning is key. I\u2019m all in,\u201d said Shannon. \u201cDid you hear me telling stories? That\u2019s experiential learning.\u201d<\/p>\n Expanding hands-on opportunities aligns with UNF\u2019s strategic plan goals<\/a>, which aim to increase student participation in internships, undergraduate research, and study-abroad programs before graduation.<\/p>\n