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A8 | April 24, 2018 | Liberty Champion
The DIRT on campus climate Center4ME hosts discussion on seeking and promoting campus diversity Janelle Porman jjporman@liberty.edu
aware of diversity on campus, but to also making ourselves available to it. Engaging with those different from us is one way that Liberty students can create a positive climate on campus. “Campus climate is a measure — real or perceived — of the campus environment as it relates to the interpersonal, academic and pro-
The Center for Multicultural Enrichment hosted its last Diversity, Integration, Reconciliation and Transition Talk of the school year by discussing and encouraging “Student’s Responsibility for Positive Climate Change.” The DIRT Talk was not solely focused on racial and ethnic diverWithout DIRT Talks, sity, but also the diversity of back- much of the student body grounds, gender roles, denomi- (as well as the executives) national preference and political would be unaware of the views. plethora of perspectives “A place like Liberty is so beauhere at the university. tiful because it brings all of us (students from all over the world) — Jeremiah Torres together,” Constance Schneider, a co-leader of a discussion group, said. “Even though we are differ- fessional interaction,” Jose Herent, that’s what makes us stron- nandez, the director of the Center ger.” for Multicultural Enrichment, said Although Liberty has diversity as he explained the significance of in the population of students, the the event’s title. leaders of the discussion groups “The goal with this DIRT remarked that there is not much Talk was to create a positive diversity within groups of people, environment at Liberty University because it is easy for someone to where ‘individuals and groups surround themselves with other generally feel welcomed, respected people like them. and valued … (and where there “Make an active effort ... to is) respect for others, nurtured reach out,” Robinson said. “It may by dialogue between those of put us in an uncomfortable situa- differing perspectives, and is tion, but God calls us to be uncom- evidenced by a pattern of civil fortable. He doesn’t like it when we interactions among community,’” sit inside our boat and be compla- Hernandez said. cent where we are.” The leaders of the discussion Robinson also emphasized groups also stressed the importhe importance of not only being tance of creating culture change
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COUNCIL continued from A1 Al Billingsly – Independent Considered the token conservative of the running candidates, Billingsly is a long-time resident of Lynchburg and has been involved in numerous aspects of the city. He has served on Lynchburg school boards and in a variety of neighborhood and philanthropic organizations. “I’d really like to reduce the tax burden on the citizens right now,” Billingsly said. “In my mind, the tax burden is pretty heavy on home owners and also on people who like to eat out. There’s a meals tax that is quite cumbersome, I believe, so I’d like to start rolling some of that back.” Billingsly said his conservative standpoint is a benefit to his campaign, bringing a different perspective to the council, if elected. “I was looking at the people running and realized there were no conservatives that were running this time,” Billingsly said. “I think that just bringing a different point of view, a different mindset if you will … (would) give more of a balance on council that would force the council to look at things with a different mindset.”
Katie Webb Cyphert - Democrat Cyphert, a native of Lynchburg, has also made deep roots in the Lynchburg community and believes that she can make positive changes as a councilmember through building bridges between the working class of Lynchburg and the city council. “I just feel like this community has a real disconnect between the great hardworking people we have in the city and some of the solutions the city is proposing,” Cyphert said. “I want to do a better job of connecting people — engaging them in the process to make sure we get good solutions when it comes to infrastructure, economic development and education.” Growing up, attending Lynchburg College, working as a middle school teacher and raising a family in Lynchburg, Cyphert said she knows the viewpoint of the citizens and can use that experience to better represent the community. “I have seen this community from a variety of perspectives, including that of a working college student,” Cyphert said. “I’ve had a variety of experiences, and I hope I can bring those voices to the table.”
on this campus — not for students to remain passive and unaware, but to be active and enthusiastic. He said he believes that community on Liberty’s campus will only change if people are working to change it. Hernandez’s also made a point that one residential student on Liberty’s campus is about 1/15000 of the student body. Hernandez stressed that regardless of the seeming insignificance of that number, one student can make a difference in the world and on this campus. DIRT Talks are meant to provide an open and safe place for students to come and share their opinions about controversial topics without fear of backlash, arguments or exclusion. “Without DIRT Talks, much of the student body (as well as the executives) would be unaware of the plethora of perspectives here at the university,” Jeremiah Torres, a Leadership Excellence and Academic Development Fellowship student, said. “Many students are shocked at the presence of individuals who are not Christians. DIRT Talks bring out the differences and expose the campus, student and faculty to a larger sea of opinions.”
PORMAN is a news reporter. Johnson’s basis for running for city council is the idea of bringing experience to the table. Having served 12 years on the council before, with six of those as the vicemayor, Johnson is familiar with the governmental side as well as the residential side of the area; he is the pastor of Spring Hill Baptist Church in Brookneal. With this in mind, Johnson believes Lynchburg residents should be familiar and comfortable with him by now. “They should have a comfort zone with me,” Johnson said. “They should know my leadership style, and they should know that I care a lot about the city of Lynchburg. I’m not in it for the glory, I’m in it because it is what it is — serving my fellow citizens.”
Photo Provided INCLUSION — Participants made pledges to prioritize inclusiveness.
Photo Provided CHANGE — The talk challenged students to be aware of diversity. Nelson said during the Women’s League of Voter’s forum for the candidates. “I think the question should be, ‘What priority would have the greatest effect on most people and interests in Lynchburg?’ To that, I would say it would be to remove the generational cycle of poverty.”
Randy Nelson – Independent – Incumbent Nelson has served on the Lynchburg City Council since 2010. Having practiced law in Lynchburg for 42 years and served 28 years as a special justice in the 24th judicial circuit, Nelson brings much experience to his campaign. A key point Nelson’s campaign has focused on is how the quality of life in Lynchburg can be improved. “Quality of life, to a certain degree, is a subjective question,”
Derek Polley – Democrat Polley has prioritized the poverty rate in his campaign, emphasizing financial education as a solution. Liberty graduate Polley said his stance is unique because of his experience living below the poverty line. “I know what it’s like to not have food on the table, not be able to make ends meet, so to bring that type of compassion, to bring that type of urgency is a reason why I am a good candidate for the city of Lynchburg,” Polley said. “These are some of the hurdles people come across on a daily basis, so I know that financial literacy is a big part of helping people out of poverty.” Polley said he wants to focus on the quality of employment rather than the number employed. “Instead of being gainfully employed, a lot of people are painfully employed,” Polley said. “There’s no reason you should be working
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Ceasor Johnson – Independent
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50 to 55 hours per week and still not have enough money to make your basic needs and make ends meet.” Treney Tweedy – Independent – Incumbent Elected in 2014 and serving as vice-mayor since 2016, Tweedy is running again because she is seeing the growth of the city. “I’m running to continue the progress of our city,” Tweedy said. “We have a great city that is growing, we have business development, we have people moving here who have decided to open businesses here, and so I think it’s important as part of our quality of life to have a great neighborhood revitalization plan to consider all of our students.” Tweedy sees the poverty rate as one of the main detriments to the growth of the city, and believes education is the solution. “While we have a lot of success, we also have a high poverty rate,” Tweedy said. “I believe training and education are important, so a trained workforce keeps businesses happy and employers wanting to hire folks. We want people to get the advanced skills and credentials needed to higher wagering jobs.” Beau Wright – Independent Wright, a Lynchburg native with experience as a financial planner in the Obama White House is running on three ideas — stronger jobs, stronger schools and better quality of life. “We’ve got to be successful in each of them, we’ve got to be pushing on all three or we’re going to flounder,” Wright said. Wright also hopes through his campaign to bring a younger perspective to the council. “I think I’ve got (my youthful perspective) to contribute, and I think that my campaign offers something we don’t have on city council, what a lot of Liberty students are – we’re all millennials,” Wright said. “Now, 50 percent of Lynchburg’s population is under 35. That’s a big deal, and city council is making decisions that will affect this community 10 years down the road.” Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on May 1. Anyone with questions can call the Voter Registration Office at 434-477-5999.
PANYARD is the news editor.