I'd like to know in what way this is an Independent Review Committee on campus culture?

The IRC committee is the result of an agreement made between the St. Cloud State University Administration and the Faculty Association and is composed of elected representation from each bargaining unit (MSUAASF, AFSCME, MAPE, MMA), elected faculty representation from each academic unit including at least one woman, at least one faculty representing GLBT, at least one representing faculty of color, at least one representing Jewish faculty, two appointed representatives of administration and volunteer students. ...

Every time I hear them run the roll of represented groups, I hum a verse from "Rise and Shine" from my days at church camp:

The animals they came in, they came in by twosies twosies,
The animals they came in, they came in by twosies twosies,
Elephants and kangaroosy roosies.
Children of the Lord.

While some members of the IRC and campus community believe that some of the reports may have serious methodological flaws as well as problematic concerns with respect to their design and implementation, the IRC as a whole also understands that these reports represent formal forums through which underrepresented segments of our campus community have been invited to voice concerns, critiques and problems encountered as employees and students of the SCSU campus community. In addition, each report consistently demonstrates that similar problems, as voiced by these constituencies, exist. IRC works from the framework of understanding that America continues to struggle with systems of oppression, including but not limited to, racism, sexism, homophobia, xenophobia, anti-Semitism, ableism and, anti-Islamic sentiments. As such, IRC maintains that these systems of oppression are also present and exist at SCSU.

Johnny Carson used to say about joke-telling, "If they buy the premise, they'll buy the bit.

Dear IRC: We don't buy the premise.

SCSU is struggling with issues that are deeply rooted in histories of oppression and privilege. These issues necessitate proactive rather than reactive solutions.

I think this is called The Great Leap Forward.

Nice to see real independent thinking, folks.

IRC recognizes that the problems identified in the reports are not limited to any one area of the university and transformation will require everyone�s involvement.

"Resistance is futile. Come to mandatory diversity training now."

Responsibility for effecting change at SCSU must include a commitment to implementation and accountability.

Let me guess: It will take five years. A PC 'piatletka'. (That word needs to be preserved pour le decouragement des autres.)

If the Administration can not see what this committee is setting out to be -- a crowbar through the windshield and a hand grabbing the steering wheel of the campus, to use collective guilt as a cudgel to suppress every last independent thought on this campus -- it will complete its abdication of responsibility for this campus. It will then be up to individual faculty, who as Jack has noted appear complacent. It is that on which these people feed. If you stand up they shrink, for they cannot make arguments for their control of you based on logic and reason. All it takes is your flashlight, reason, and the ability to utter the word 'no'.