Michigan’s Black Student Alliance (BSA) at the University of Michigan is pushing for urgent change, calling on trustees to adopt a campus-wide “No Hate Ordinance” to curb perceived gaps in handling hate speech and harassment.
In a town‑hall last month, BSA leaders highlighted two years of unaddressed incidents — including verbal abuse, vandalism and administrative lapses. They demand stricter enforcement measures and proactive policies to shield students from targeted racial hostility.
Central to their proposal is the formation of a policy task force composed of BSA members, administrators, and legal and DEI experts. This task force would draft and refine the “No Hate Ordinance,” open it for community feedback, then present a final version to the Board of Trustees for adoption.
Additional demands include mandatory anti‑racism and DEI training for faculty, staff, and students, to be repeated biannually. BSA also wants DEI statements integrated into course syllabi and annual reviews to hold professors accountable for addressing racial issues in class.
The push echoes decades‑long activism. BSA organizers referenced the 1989 protest, where 300 Black students staged a sit‑in at the Hannah Administration Building to demand recognition of systemic racism on campus. Their narrative reflects enduring frustration over repeated episodes of bias despite past efforts.
Supporters say the ordinance and stronger DEI measures are essential to foster a learning environment where no student fears harassment or indifference from administrators. Detractors argue the plan risks overcriminalizing speech and shifting authority to subjective panels rather than legal norms.
Critics also question potential impacts on free expression and whether the ordinance could chill open debate. A successful outcome depends on clear criteria, transparency, and consensus around how “hate” is defined and judged.
The University’s response is still pending. Trustees have not yet announced a timeline for task‑force formation or policy adoption.
