MSU Sophomore and Black Student Alliance President, Jayanti Collins, 19, speaks at a press conference held by MSU Black Student Alliance (BSA) at the steps of the Hannah Administration Building in East Lansing, MI, on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025. The press conference held by BSA discussed over DEIB.
"No matter what, we're never going to stop fighting. We're never going to shut up. We're never going to sit down and take it."
Black Student Alliance (BSA) President Jayanti Collins explained in a press conference on Tuesday that BSA will not back down in their attempts to meet with the president to discuss the CORES&CAMS budget cuts and the University’s requirement for clubs to edit their mission statements in compliance with federal Civil Rights Regulations.
In response to these regulations, which were only delivered by mouth to them, BSA attempted to meet with President Kevin Guskiewicz for further clarification; however, none of their attempts have been successful.
After rising frustration, the organization released a statement on their instagram demanding public acknowledgement from Guskiewicz and MSU leadership of the 'harm these changes are causing' to identity-based organizations. They also demanded a formal, written document clearly outlining all DEIB-related changes that impact RSOs, and a meeting with Guskiewicz by the end of October.
To further enforce and promote these demands to the administration, BSA held a Press Conference/Demonstration on Tuesday at Hannah Administration Building.
Executive members spoke about the necessity and urgency of the situation. "This is a call to action," Vice President Miah Gill said. "We are seeing change happen and we're not even a part of the discussion. We're seeing things move on our campus that don't reflect the values and the mission and the integrity that they uphold."
Eli Folts attended a conference on behalf of the Hurriya Coalition to show support for BSA’s movement. Folts mentioned how BSA was there for his Press Conference to show support for him, so he attended to show appreciation for their solidarity.
"It's all connected. The Pro-Palestine movement on campus, the black student movement on campus and the indigenous student movement on campus are all under one umbrella," Folts said. He also mentioned how he is 'inspired' by BSA.
Former Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives, Joe Tate, was in attendance to show support for BSA. Tate noted his concern for the vague nature of the changes in the DEIB laws for student organizations and emphasized the importance of open communication between students and the administration.
BSA stated that if the university fails to meet their demands by the end of October, they will be taking further action to ensure clear understanding of their message.
"I think we're going to take it to the Board of Trustees. I believe we're also going to just be a lot more vocal about the injustices that we're facing in the university," BSA Communications Officer Margaretmary Oredipe said.
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