Over 600 students have been protesting at my school after Associate Provost for Equity and Diversity Cordell Black was told that he would be removed from his position and reassigned outside of administration. The administration maintains the decision was solely due to budgetary constraints, and has sent out a mass email from the dean confirming this. Many of the students did not believe this, however, and continued to question the administration.. Pressure on the head Provost continued until he admitted that the decision was at least partially a personnel decision and would have actually saved very little money in the long run due to the cost of tenure. The protest is currently continuing as the UMD Student Government Association and some teachers groups become even more involved.

External sources: http://www.diamondbackonline.com/news/600-protest-diversity-cuts-1.863305

http://www.diamondbackonline.com/opinion/staff-editorial-mailing-it-in-1.932476

(photos credit Charlie DeBoyace)