10-23-2019, 08:58 AM
Black school wants a new facility too.
By Taylor Durden | October 23, 2019 at 12:05 AM EDT - Updated October 23 at 12:19 AM
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) - Spalding University officially opens their new athletic complex Wednesday. The university is hopeful the investment will help West Louisville, but neighboring school Simmons College called the new complex a “clear example of white privilege.â€
It was the topic of discussion Tuesday at their new event called “Truthful Tuesdays,†that they plan to hold monthly.
Simmons College President Dr. Kevin Cosby said he talked to students at the historically black college last week who said they were disappointed they didnâ€t have the resources other schools like Spalding has.
Simmons College said the new complex was a clear example of white privilege.
“Truthful Tuesday is nothing against Spalding,†Krystal Goodner, spokeswoman for Simmons College, said at Tuesdayâ€s meeting. “This is not a Simmons versus Spalding situation. But what it is is when our students go outside and look at that field, itâ€s almost as if white privilege is being dangled in front of their face. Thatâ€s what it is.â€
Dr. Cosby said Simmons College hoped to purchase the property at the corner of 8th Street and Kentucky Street several years ago. Cosby said Ford Motor Company solicited the collegeâ€s support to start an advanced manufacturing plant there, but it didnâ€t work out.
“We had aspirations to own that property but we didnâ€t have the resources, nor do we have the connections with the people who have the resources in order to purchase the property,†Cosby said.
In 2014, Spalding University bought the property. Five years later, the university broke ground on the new athletic complex for soccer and softball. It opens officially Wednesday.
“I donâ€t begrudge Spalding as I said in my earlier remarks,†Cosby said. “I wish Spalding well, but I think that if we want to be a city of justice and equity, what we are doing for one institution, we should do for all institutions. Because our students look at that.â€
Simmons College owns some vacant lots near the college. One is located right across the street from the new athletic complex.
When asked if they plan to develop anything there, Dr. Cosby said they are focused right now on regional accreditation for the college.
In a statement, Spalding University President Tori Murden McClure said:
“Spalding greatly values diversity in all our endeavors. Further, Spalding has been committed to its neighborhood for 100 years, and we continue to do our part to improve it. The property where the fields are built was acquired more than five years ago on an unused former industrial site, and we are proud of how the transformation thatâ€s taken place there will help the community.â€
Cosby said he sees Spalding University as a sister college and hopes they can become allies, along with other Louisville colleges, to continue conversations about making Louisville a city of justice and equity.
Simmons College will host their monthly "Truthful Tuesdays" once a month.
By Taylor Durden | October 23, 2019 at 12:05 AM EDT - Updated October 23 at 12:19 AM
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) - Spalding University officially opens their new athletic complex Wednesday. The university is hopeful the investment will help West Louisville, but neighboring school Simmons College called the new complex a “clear example of white privilege.â€
It was the topic of discussion Tuesday at their new event called “Truthful Tuesdays,†that they plan to hold monthly.
Simmons College President Dr. Kevin Cosby said he talked to students at the historically black college last week who said they were disappointed they didnâ€t have the resources other schools like Spalding has.
Simmons College said the new complex was a clear example of white privilege.
“Truthful Tuesday is nothing against Spalding,†Krystal Goodner, spokeswoman for Simmons College, said at Tuesdayâ€s meeting. “This is not a Simmons versus Spalding situation. But what it is is when our students go outside and look at that field, itâ€s almost as if white privilege is being dangled in front of their face. Thatâ€s what it is.â€
Dr. Cosby said Simmons College hoped to purchase the property at the corner of 8th Street and Kentucky Street several years ago. Cosby said Ford Motor Company solicited the collegeâ€s support to start an advanced manufacturing plant there, but it didnâ€t work out.
“We had aspirations to own that property but we didnâ€t have the resources, nor do we have the connections with the people who have the resources in order to purchase the property,†Cosby said.
In 2014, Spalding University bought the property. Five years later, the university broke ground on the new athletic complex for soccer and softball. It opens officially Wednesday.
“I donâ€t begrudge Spalding as I said in my earlier remarks,†Cosby said. “I wish Spalding well, but I think that if we want to be a city of justice and equity, what we are doing for one institution, we should do for all institutions. Because our students look at that.â€
Simmons College owns some vacant lots near the college. One is located right across the street from the new athletic complex.
When asked if they plan to develop anything there, Dr. Cosby said they are focused right now on regional accreditation for the college.
In a statement, Spalding University President Tori Murden McClure said:
“Spalding greatly values diversity in all our endeavors. Further, Spalding has been committed to its neighborhood for 100 years, and we continue to do our part to improve it. The property where the fields are built was acquired more than five years ago on an unused former industrial site, and we are proud of how the transformation thatâ€s taken place there will help the community.â€
Cosby said he sees Spalding University as a sister college and hopes they can become allies, along with other Louisville colleges, to continue conversations about making Louisville a city of justice and equity.
Simmons College will host their monthly "Truthful Tuesdays" once a month.
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