Local chapters of the ACLU and the NAACP are asking the University of New Hampshire to emphasize issues of racial diversity and equity in the search for the university’s next president.
In an open letter to the presidential search committee, Devon Chaffee of the New Hampshire ACLU and Rogers Johnson of the Seacoast NAACP say the hiring of a new UNH president is the single greatest way to redirect the university.
They are urging the committee to use that opportunity to hire someone who will “foster a more socially conscious and inclusive campus.”
A string of racially charged incidents at UNH last school year led to renewed criticism of the university for how it handles issues of racial diversity and inclusion.
In recent months UNH has held a number of on-campus events and trainings designed to address these issues.
Current UNH President Mark Huddleston announced earlier this year he would be stepping down after 10 years at the helm.
The full letter is below.