Student Association has officially been trying to fill its position for the director of diversity and inclusion since the beginning of the semester.

This new position was created by President Omar van Reenen, who held a similar position last year as director of diversity, equity and inclusion. He said he thought it would better help the student body to have two separate positions, so he created the position of director of diversity and inclusion and the director of gender equality and women’s affairs, which is held by Lizeth Ortega.

“I saw that we needed someone to tend to women’s issues, sexuality issues. That’s why I took the ‘equity’ part out of [director of diversity and inclusion],” van Reenen said.

Oswego State student Jake Small was appointed by van Reenen and served as the interim director of diversity and inclusion over the summer and into October.

On Oct. 2, when the senate had to vote on whether Small would be confirmed, several Oswego State students spoke up during public comments to discuss their individual concerns with appointing him to the position.

Students from various clubs on campus, such as different ALANA organizations and the Women’s Center, came forward to say that they felt Small had not attended enough of their events or made himself visible to their club meetings. Some students said that Small would not properly represent them if elected. However, attendance at events is not the main job of the directors, according to van Reenen.

“Programming and meeting with clubs aren’t usually what directors do,” van Reenen said. “They are the ones that advocate for the students with administration and faculty, but I’ve emphasized that I want them all on the ground.”

Students attending and speaking out at public comment is not a usual occurrence at the weekly Student Association meetings.

“I think it’s awesome that students are getting involved and they’re making their voices heard, because it’s what we want,” said current Student Association Senator Jade Laplante. “We want people signing up to be senators. We want people to say, ‘I’m upset about this. I want change to happen.’”

Laplante herself became involved in Student Association after being a part of the Equal Pay for Equal Play movement last semester. She was the interim director of athletic affairs over the summer but was not confirmed by the senate for this upcoming semester.

Small is no longer in the running to be director of diversity and inclusion for Student Association. On Oct. 16, a new interim director of diversity and inclusion came forward. Marquel Jeffries was appointed by van Reenen. Jeffries is a senior and a third-year resident assistant in Cayuga Hall. He is also the vice president of the Black Student Union and said he wants to represent those who have not been represented properly in the past.

“I can honestly say that I am very hopeful of this candidate and have worked closely with them during my past three years on the Black Student Union and I know they are going to do a great job,” said Senator-at-large Khalia Hepburn.

Based on what students brought up at public comment, some senators have speculated students are more active in Student Association now and want leaders who will make a difference on campus.

“People are looking for someone who is going to make a change. A common mistake people make when they think director of diversity is racial diversity. This position is more than just that,” Hepburn said. “They have to be the voice of the frustrations of not only the racial minorities here on campus, but the LGBTQ community, women, students with disabilities, veterans and more and make sure that they also feel included and heard within the Oswego community. It’s a big role to fill, and the students of Oswego just want to make sure that the person in this position is here for all and not just some.”

Jeffries has been referred to the involvement committee, and senators will vote on whether or not he is appointed next week.

“I’m proud of the work we’ve done, and I’m proud of the people I appointed, and I’m proud of the people the senators have confirmed,” van Reenen said.

Photo by Julia Tilley | The Oswegonian