TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — Florida State University president John Thrasher is making big changes in response to rising racial tensions in the country.
Thrasher announcing Monday that the school will form a special task force on anti-racism and racial equality.
In a statement, Thrasher says this task force will identify racial and ethnic disparities on campus as well as taking a deep look into FSU's history when it comes to race and coming up with solutions to those issues.
Thrasher says he has spoken with students and faculty who have been victims of acts of racism.
To spark immediate change, Thrasher provided a list of actions the university will take to move this effort along, including town hall meetings, reviews of university namings, an educational outreach program on FSU history, and mandatory diversity training for all staff and students.
Katherine Easterling, a former FSU student says this is a move in the right direction.
"It shows that he has not only heard what people at FSU are saying but that he's actually thinking about potential solutions," said Easterling. "He wants to start a conversation on a community-wide level, which I think is important."
The task force will be another step in FSU's Strategic Plan Goal, which includes realizing the university's full potential of diversity and inclusion.
Those appointed to the task force will provide regular updates to president Thrasher.
Thrasher will announce the members of the task force next week.
