A week after Election Day, ASU Provost Mark Searle sent a campus-wide email in support of students' demands for increased diversity representation.
Searle wrote in the email that the values of the University remain unchanged regardless of the election's results.
"In light of these expressions of concern, I write to assure you that, even as we experience political and other changes, Arizona State University’s commitment to the principles enunciated in its Charter remains constant," Searle wrote. "Now and in the future, ASU remains committed to supporting our students’ success, to encouraging diversity and inclusion, and to enhancing the public good through research that improves peoples’ (sic) lives."
Students who have organized protests on campus since the Election, such as political science and public policy junior Randy Perez, have said the University has been supportive of their right to protest and organize legally.
"The University has been so great," Perez said. "I'm really proud for them to be able to build a relationship with us."
He also said he appreciates Searle's email and that it is consistent with the school's inclusive atmosphere post-election.
"I thought that (the email) was a really important first step to acknowledge the issue that a lot of the student body feels marginalized," he said.
Kanin Pruter, a former USG senator, said he would like to see the University make further steps to demonstrate support to student protesters, but understands that the school must remain objective.
"Even a video addressing the student body would maybe reassure (students) that the University is watching out and protecting them as well," Pruter said. "We want to be organized, that's our point. … We're going to take this time to come together. We're stronger together."
Reach the reporter at Garrison.Murphy@asu.edu or follow @Garrison_Murphy on Twitter.
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