MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich — Central Michigan University student Imani Ellsworth said she was hurt by the words used by a university staff member on Monday.
"She stated that I know Black people say the 'insert slur' amongst yourselves, and then she kind of tried to sweep it under the rug," said Ellsworth.
While we're not currently releasing the name of that staff member due to the ongoing investigation, Ellsworth said it happened at the school's Bovee Center.
Students, faculty and staff were gathering together to address the issue of racist incidents on campus.
"Over the past weekend, members of the Black community that are students here at Central Michigan University, we have received these videos about white Central Michigan University students saying the n-word and then uploading them to Snapchat and other social media platforms," said Ellsworth.
CMU is currently investigating at least one of those incidents. However, they said it's not confirmed if anyone featured in the videos is a registered student.
After the staff member allegedly used the slur, Ellsworth said there was immediate outrage.
"In that moment, I was just appalled," said Ellsworth. "I didn't honestly know what to do."
CMU President Bob Davies said he wasn't there when the word was said, but arrived at the forum later in the day.
"I heard from students how the word hurt them, how they were in the space, they were coming together, and how it changed the entire environment," said Davies.
He added that type of behavior isn't welcomed at the school.
"We want our staff to provide a welcoming environment for our students until told the highest standards," said Davies. "And so one of the things that we are looking at is about the professionalism of that particular moment."
The university also held more listening sessions Tuesday afternoon and evening. On Saturday, students are planning an on-campus protest at 1 p.m. starting at the school's Bovee Center.
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