THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 2023
MARYVILLE, MISSOURI
NWMISSOURINEWS.COM
VOL. 111, NO. 30
@THEMISSOURIAN
DEI DECISIONS Latonya Davis hopes to build relationships SIDNEY LOWRY Managing Editor | @sidney_lowry
A new face has been added to the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. Latonya Davis started as coordinator of diversity and inclusion April 17. Joining Northwest in 2020 as an academic adviser for the School of Education and then working as a recruitment coordinator for Northwest admissions, she found herself back at Northwest. She obtained a bachelor’s degree in K-12 physical education, health education and coaching in 2003 and master’s degree in physical education and athletic administration from Northwest in 2004, but that was never part of her original plan. Davis said her history teacher and cheerleading coach motivated her to go to college, despite the history of family members going right into the workforce after high school. After meeting with a representative from Northwest, she decided to give college a try. “(I was the) first generation in my entire family to go to college, and so I didn’t really know what to do,” Davis said. “I just knew I wanted to go and to go to college because I didn’t like where we were living in the city. … And so I came here not knowing anybody and got an amazing education, had amazing professors, some I still keep in touch with today that are still here.” After graduating from Northwest in 2004, she taught elementary physical education in St. Louis for 15 years. During that time, she organized events for underrepresented families in the Desegregation program, which she was once a part of. The Desegregation program started in 1983 to increase racial integration in metropolitan area public schools and allows for Black students to attend participating schools in St. Louis County.
SEE DAVIS | A4
ILLUSTRATION BY SIDNEY LOWRY MANAGING EDITOR
Legislators to revoke funds from DI offices SIDNEY LOWRY Managing Editor | @sidney_lowry HUNTER DOSS News Reporter | @hunterdoss2003
Diversity, equity and inclusion offices in Missouri have undergone pressure as the Missouri House banned diversity funding from the state budget at many institutions, including public universities.
Assistant Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion Justin Mallett said the Office of Diversity and Inclusion had conversations with University officials and thinks Northwest should be proactive with preparing for a possible audit. While prepared, he said Northwest doesn’t have much to worry about. “I think one of the nice things about Northwest is we really don’t use a lot of state funds for diversity and inclusion programming, efforts and planning,” Mallett said. The budget for these programs come from the Campus Climate Fee that is issued to students alongside tuition. Despite Northwest not having designated state dollars for DEI funding, Mallett said other schools in the state will have to be ready for an audit and some push back on diversity and inclusion efforts.
“... If you look at the bottom of a lot of those bills as well, there’s also a hit on higher ed because it’s also saying ‘Well, we’re going to review the tenure process’ and … ‘What does tenure look like within all of this, and what is that role going to play?’” Mallett said. Other Missouri legislators have made moves against diversity efforts in other areas of Missouri. House Bill No. 489, brought on by Rep. Ben Baker, aims to scale back the use of DEI training and ideas. Rep. Doug Richey added to this with House Bill No. 1196, which specifically talks about ‘protections against ideological discrimination in postsecondary education,’ and stops universities from requiring DEI statements.
SEE FUNDING | A4
Nodaway County gets grant for courthouse, jail safety improvement HANNAH CLAYWELL Asst. News Editor | @Hannah_9504
INFOGRAPHIC BY JULIANNA LAWRENCE DESIGNER
Student Senate president named Northwest’s new Student Regent Student Senate Executive President Elizabeth Motazedi was named student regent, a nonvoting member on the Northwest Board of Regents, by Gov. Mike Parson April 19.
Motazedi, a social studies - history education major, interviewed for the position with members of the University over a year ago and was called in February to move along in the process.
Nodaway County received a $291,008.50 grant to improve the jail and courthouse. Gov. Mike Parson announced the state was giving out grants for these improvements. Nodaway County was notified March 24 of the receival via email. Nodaway County Sheriff Randy Strong and Undersheriff Scott Wedlock worked toward getting the grant for the county. The improvements will include door control systems, laundry capabilities and fire safety. “We had just a few weeks to put all that together,” Wedlock
“To be able to represent the state and also to serve on the Board of Regents, I think it’s just really important going forward especially with all the changes happening in this University,” Motazedi said. “I really want to make sure I have that student input and not be afraid to use my voice.” Motazedi said she feels ready for this position as she worked closely with members of the Board of Regents during the search to find Northwest’s 11th president,
said. “We worked in conjunction with the regional council of governments.” The grant required a county match, so all together the total approved by the city project cost was $582,017 for the improvements. The buildings were built in the 1980s and have since worn down. The department has made notice of those things and decided to apply for this grant to help improve the buildings. “A lot of things were never maintained to the level they should have been or they’re just worn out,” Wedlock said.
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Lance Tatum. She said having that experience will help her be more comfortable sharing her thoughts and ideas. “I’m really looking forward to attending the board meetings, and being able to sit at that table and really feel like I have that spot there and feel like I am making an impact at this University,” Motazedi said. She went to Jefferson City, Missouri, April 26 to be sworn in and will be represented with Sen. Jill Carter from District 32.
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