OSU formed the committee after several incidents of hate crimes were reported on its campus, including the words “Long Live Zimmerman” spray painted on the side of OSU’s black multicultural student center. The recommendations aim to increase diversity and inclusion on campus.

Short- and Long-term goals

In the short term the panel recommends more discussions about diversity and a help line where students can report hate crimes. In the long term they want the university to provide financial aid to students from underrepresented populations and increase recruitment of minority faculty.

OSU’s Vice President for Student Life Javaune Adams-Gaston says the committee was created out of student demand, and many of the goals of the task force were inspired by students.

“Much of the work that the task force did was student inspired, student supported, student researched,” Adams-Gatson said.

One of the goals of the panel has already been accomplished, the creation of an email alert system for hate crimes.