On Thursday, a public forum regarding the future of the Office of Multicultural Academic Success (OMAS) was held in the EMU Fir Room. OMAS’ pending change to the Center for Multicultural Academic Excellence (CMAE) caused frustration among many students who use its resources.
Audio excerpts from the meeting:
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Students in support of the Office of Multicultural Academic Success (OMAS) protest the organization’s potential transition into the Center for Multicultural Academic Excellence (CMAE). Many voiced their concerns at the meeting held in the EMU’s Fir Room. Student primarily focused on the lack of transparency in the transformation process and the potential loss of scholarships, advisors, and lounges from OMAS. (Nate Barrett/Oregon Daily Emerald)
Vice President for Student Affairs Robin Holmes speaks at a meeting involving the restructuring of the Office of Multicultural Academic Support (OMAS). Around a hundred people attended the meeting including about 30 protesters holding signs and issuing a list of demands. (Nate Barrett/Oregon Daily Emerald)
Protesters from the UO Truth Coalition lined the walls, held signs, and wore duct tape over their mouths. The protesters would go on to issue a list of demands including that University representatives attend an upcoming meeting (Friday, Nov. 11th, at 1 p.m. in the Multicultural Center) on their time, in their safe place, and in on their terms. (Nate Barrett/Oregon Daily Emerald)
ASUO Senator Jeremy Hedlund protested with the UO Truth Coalition at the meeting regarding the transformation of Office of Multicultural Academic Support (OMAS) to Center of Multicultural Academic Excellence (CMAE). Senator Lindy Mabuya was also present. (Nate Barrett/Oregon Daily Emerald)
Members of the UO Truth Coalition line the walls of the EMU Fir Room and locked arms while displaying signs protesting the changes made to the Office of Multicultural Academic Support. On top a list of demands, the protesters also demanded answers to a list of questions. (Nate Barrett/Oregon Daily Emerald)
The UO Truth Coalition left the Fir Room midway through a meeting about OMAS and would go on to tape their signs to the windows from the outside and start chanting protests that could be heard through the walls as the meeting progressed. (Nate Barrett/Oregon Daily Emerald)
Senator Lindy Mabuya spoke to Vice President for Student Affairs shortly after the UO Truth Coalition left the Fir Room about the changes being made to OMAS and how that affects students who use their resources. Mabuya received applause by attendees in the room after she spoke and subsequently had to leave for class. (Nate Barrett/Oregon Daily Emerald)