CMU under investigation due to elimination of team

Central Michigan University is under federal investigation to determine whether the elimination of the Men’s Track & Field team and replacing it with a men’s golf team discriminated against black students.

The decision occurred in May 2020, due in part to complications with the COVID-19 pandemic, with the reasoning that it would save the school hundreds of thousands of dollars.

This decision has come with opposition as the university was notified of the investigation after receiving a letter, dated April 25, from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights. Included in the letter was a notification of an allegation, made by a private citizen, of discrimination based on race related to the elimination of men’s track.

Also, a Committee to Reinstate Men’s Track & Field have detailed their case to reinstate the team. The committee is composed of CMU alumni, former track team members and faculty, and current track team faculty.

“As alumni and friends of the Central Michigan University Men’s Track & Field Program, we are united in our desire to provide solutions to the University to influence a reversal of the decision to terminate the program,” the case packet said. “Beyond reinstatement, we commit to the creation of a non-profit organization dedicated to sustain the program for the long term.”

The committee notes that collegiate Track & Field programs provide opportunities for minority studentathletes and the sport has significance and cultural influence within the Black community. Eliminating such programs means less slots for Division I caliber minority student-athletes to land.

“Historical examples of this have been ingrained in all of us,” the case packet said. “From the inspirational and remarkable performance against white supremacy in the 1936 Olympic games by Jesse Owens to the courageous and earth shattering protest on the medal stand by Tommie Smith and John Carlos in the 1968 Olympic games of Mexico City. Track & Field has been the platform Black athletes have used to demonstrate and express their strength, power, speed as well their experience and identity as Black Americans.

Long before the images of Colin Kapernick and other professional athletes kneeling before the national anthem in protest of racism and discrimination, it was the image of the two black young men raising their fists against the oppression facing them at home in the United States of America. It has been individuals in the sport of Track & Field who have demonstrated the courage and leadership in the fight against racism and social inequality. When a University eliminates Track & Field from their athletic program, they are sending a strong negative message to the African American community.”

To further help their case, the committee has stated their commitment to helping to redirect the declining enrollment through recruitment and outreach to students of color and further working with staff members to improve the campus climate.

The committee is also willing to work with the University to figure out a funding strategy that would include support from alumni, friends and corporations.

“We are living in a time of social awakening,” the case packet said. “It’s time to look at decisions like this with a view on who it impacts and if it allows us to be social leaders. Central Michigan University has an opportunity, under your vision, to recognize the way to opportunity, financial prosperity and inclusion is not to eliminate programs like this, but to grow them.”

In terms of the OCR investigation, University Communications has stated that CMU will fully comply with the investigation and openly share data related to the decision-making process.

“In all we do at Central Michigan University, we are committed to the success of our students, to supporting diversity, equity and inclusion on our campus, and to being a welcoming and supportive community for every individual,” University Communications said. “We have invested heavily in making Central Michigan University accessible, affordable, and supportive for all students, especially for our students of color. The elimination of men’s track and field did not and will not derail our ongoing work to make CMU more diverse, equitable, and inclusive.”

President Davies is expected to address the matter later, according to University Communications.