Students on the Black History Month planning committee learned Wednesday evening that half of the programs normally held in February are being moved to March.
Students on the committee said they were shocked and disappointed at the news. Chaunda Allen, director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs, told the group that because of the resignation of Isaac Netters, former OMA employee, some programs would have to be rescheduled.
“The Tribute,” which features a keynote speaker, “The Bridge,” which combines Black History Month and a quiz bowl tournament, will be held in February. “The Family Reunion,” a program to bring together LSU and Southern students, the Sankofa Poets, a night of spoken word and the Mr. and Miss Imani Scholarship Pageant, will be held in March.
Ralph Johnson, the committee chair, told the group that OMA officials made the decision to move the programs because there is no longer a staff member advising the committee. Netters began planning the Black History Month programs with the group in September.
Johnson said he is worried some of the programs may fall through.
“We don’t even know whether or not these programs are going to happen in March like we have been told,” Johnson told the Student Senate on Wednesday night. “I have no faith in the leadership that is in the Office of Multicultural Affairs.”
Katrice Albert, vice provost for equity and diversity, said Wednesday night OMA is lacking in professional staff to plan all of the programs the office sponsors.
Albert said the office is planning six Martin Luther King Jr. week programs, six Black History Month programs and assisting with Women’s History Month programs.
“Therefore it would be more beneficial for student leaders if they had longer,” Albert said of the postponement.
Leonard Moore, history associate professor and director of African-American studies, said he thinks the programs are vital and even more so at “an institution like this.”
Moore said students do most of the planning and there are lots of black faculty and staff who would be willing to advise the group.
Albert said it is mandatory for an OMA employee to advise the group in addition to outside advisors because the office pays for the programs.
Allen said if the University found someone to replace Netters in January, it would be too much work for the replacement to plan six programs for February in one month.
Allen also said she did not know if a replacement would be found by January and it was possible the position could still be open in February.
“It is not an easy thing to say I want to break up your programs,” Allen said.
Alex Frilot, arts and sciences sophomore and member of the committee, said she thinks OMA is “putting up road blocks” for the committee. She said she is concerned about moving “The Family Reunion” program because the program was intended to be held in conjunction with Southern University.
Last year “The Family Reunion” was held on LSU’s campus and about 1,500 students from both Universities attended. Traditionally the program alternates locations between the two campuses.
Trinell Tassin, kinesiology junior, said in the meeting that Southern plans to host the reunion February 18th on their campus.
Tassin said they would not be allowed to co-sponsor the reunion with Southern and is concerned about hosting two reunions because the intent of the program is to bring the two schools together.
Frustrated with the announcement, Johnson told the group he will step down as committee chair once a replacement can be found but feels the group should continue to planning.
“I don’t feel like I have the people from higher up behind me to make this program what we want it to be,” Johnson told the group.
Tassin said after the meeting that she is upset about the changes because the group has been planning since September and now must start over.
Stephanie Howell, biology junior and member of the committee, said she never felt strongly about the movement to ban the flag, but now feels more strongly about the issue because of what she thinks is a lack of effort by OMA.
“It’s almost as if we’re getting punished for those that decided to march,” Howell said.
Daine Appleberry, kinesiology sophomore, said he thinks it is important to keep planning and that it is not important when the programs are held.
 ”The Office of Multicultural Affairs has the opportunity to cut every program out,” Appleberry said. “It doesn’t matter if the programs are in February and June.”