Student Senate on Monday passed a resolution in support of creating a positive relationship between students of marginalized identities and the UW-Eau Claire police department.

“This may be saying marginalized identities, but this is for the benefit of everybody,” Senator Wilyam Wright said. “Data and conversations lead to improvement.”

The resolution follows in the steps of both the university’s and the university police department’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity goals, the resolution said. The university has a goal to have a 20 percent student of color enrollment and the police department’s mission statement includes wanting “to provide a friendly atmosphere in which all individuals on campus can feel safe and secure.”

The police department has six steps for its EDI plan, which includes a customer service workshop, safe space training, fair and impartial policing training, de-escalation training, a police ride-along program and police participation in programming for students of color. Currently, the department has completed the first four goals.

The ride-along program would allow members of various campus organizations for students of color to ride along on a night shift with an assigned sargeant.

“I feel like this is a great step,” Senator Gary Butcher II said of the resolution.

The resolution passed in a roll call vote.

 

Other news:

• Senate passed a resolution in support of Transgender Day of Remembrance which was Nov. 20.