MTSU students are spearheading a Nov. 6 campuswide
event — Hands Across MTSU — to publicly embrace all members of the Blue Raider
community.
Beginning at 12:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 6, students, faculty, staff, alumni
and supporters across campus will join hands to form a human chain “to promote
unity and solidarity,” said Student Government Association President Courtney
Brandon.
Those participating are asked to check in at noon at one of the
tents at the Student Union Building, the Quad, the KUC or Peck Hall. Students
who get out of class at 12:25 p.m. should report directly to the line and join
hands.
Brandon said the event mirrors the 1986 Hands Across America event
where Americans “embraced each other in a human chain” to show their support in
the fight against hunger and homelessness.
In this case, Hands Across MTSU “presents the opportunity for
members of the True Blue community to simply embrace each other,” she said,
adding that SGA, along with the Intercultural and Diversity Affairs Advisory
Board of students and staff, are sponsoring the event.
“While this was not organized as a direct response to last weekend’s
events, it is certainly a very appropriate way to show our resolve and
unity as a campus,” Brandon said in reference to the protest rallies scheduled
for Shelbyville and Murfreesboro over the weekend.
“We are proud of the diverse groups that make up our True
Blue family.”
Dr. Deb Sells, vice presidents for student affairs and vice provost
for enrollment and academic services, echoed Brandon’s sentiments, saying the
event is one of several programs and activities resulting from President Sidney
A. McPhee’s recent meeting with the Intercultural and Diversity Affairs
Advisory Board.
“The intent is to simply take a very brief time out in the middle of
our day to come together in a physical way to show both the wonderful diversity
of our campus, as well as the unity among us,” Sells said.
“It seems especially appropriate right now, when the campus has just
experienced the difficulties of grappling with the potentially divisive rally
that had been planned for the Murfreesboro Square. At MTSU, we see our
diversity as a strength, and the Hands Across MTSU event is meant to be a
living, breathing symbol of that strength.”
Sells noted that event is being held between the class periods so
that as many people as possible can participate.
“Folks will have to move quickly to get in place so that we can then
disperse and get back to the reason we’re here — our studies.”
Brandon is impressed that so many different student
organizations have expressed excitement about and commitment to the event. “This
is our opportunity to express what it means to be True Blue … and it is a
wonderful way to reinforce commitment to our True Blue values.”
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