A rash of racial incidents at the University of Illinois at Chicago also could happen at NIU as long as racism exists on this campus.

Demetricus Carlvin, Black Student Union member said racism and segregation “most definitely” exist at NIU. He said there is a history of incidents like those at the U of I at Chicago happening at NIU.

“Racism can be found anywhere,” said Minority Relations Adviser Belinda Tijeirina. “Right now the campus is very hypersensitive on the issue though,” she said.

Barbara Henley, vice president for Student Affairs agrees racism knows no boundaries. “Our campus reflects general society,” she said.

“Racism is something you have to work at all the time,” adding it is not a problem that cannot be completely solved.

Henley said racism has been a big issue for the past three years with the addition of the Discrimination Action Plan and the Unity in Diversity plan.

Tijeirina added several other efforts have been made to inform students about other races, such as the stereotypes and ethnic panels which were presented this semester.

“I think they (the panels) are helping, but we need students who aren’t involved in the planning process,” she said. “We need students who actually want to learn about others.”

But Carlvin said the university has not dealt wisely with racism and if not dealt with, could lead to a repeat of what happened at NIU 20 years ago in which there were actually race riots.

Carlvin said he does not feel NIU has done a good job addressing racism.

He cited an incident which happened more than a year ago in which a black student was attacked by white male students. Carlvin said several months passed before anything was done about it, and then it was ruled not a racial incident.

“This was a signal for black students that something like that can happen and it can be condoned,” he said.

But Henley said that incident wasn’t even brought to her attention right away. In addition, it happened off campus, so it took time to reach the judicial office.

“When incidents come to our attention, we investigate them internally,” Henley said.

When a major incident is brought to her, NIU usually denounces what happened. An investigation will then be launched and then a public statement will be made.

“My advice to the university is to seriously look at what students have to say and not pacify students by saying we have come for this or that.”

“It seems like a lot of things happening now are being called racist,” Tijeirina said.

“The issue of racism seems to be addressed in one arena and that arena is the (The Northern Star) ‘letters to the editor,’ but in addition they should come to me.”

Carlvin said he believes white resentment of special minority programs has grown.

“I think we have a generation of white students not having an understanding of the civil rights movement,” he said.

Henley also said no one has came to her complaining about minority programs’ existence.