DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Students at Bethune-Cookman University are speaking out and protesting again over the search for a new president and are calling for several members of the school’s board of trustees to resign.
Last week, the chair of the board of trustees was ousted, which has led to protests on campus. The chair had supported making the interim president, William Berry, the permanent president—a decision many students agreed with.
A new chair was elected, but it’s not clear what will happen to the search for a president. The board of trustees could start a new search or continue with their current plan.
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It’s the second time in two years students have taken to the picket line against the board.
“We’ve had three protests in the past three years and it’s too much. We shouldn’t have to be fighting this hard. We should have people in place who are here to benefit us,” said student Sagal Buchanan.
Two years ago, students protested for better dorm conditions after former NFL star Ed Reed criticized them while negotiating for the head football coach position.
Now, students like Buchanan are protesting again.
“We’re going to do whatever we have to do, whether it’s disrupting university business, going to Tallahassee, reaching out to shareholders,” Buchanan said.
Students told News 6 they are upset with the trustees who voted against giving William Berry the permanent role, even though he was the only candidate suggested by a search committee. On Friday, board chairman Belvin Perry, who supported Berry, was removed from his position. Now, students want the trustees who voted against Berry to step down.
“Dr. Berry has been here for about two years now and the students love him. We would not be rallying behind him the way we do if we didn’t believe in the potential that he had. Enrollment has increased and I believe the overall functionality has increased,” Buchanan said.
Buchanan is a junior at Bethune-Cookman, serves on student government, and is a White House HBCU scholar. She is working with other HBCU members and hopes to gain national support.
“This is something all HBCUs face—a struggle with administration and overall the progressiveness with our university and that shouldn’t be the case,” she said.
Even though Perry is no longer the chair, he remains on the board of trustees, and a new chair has been elected.
News 6 also reached out to the university for comments from the trustees but has not received a response yet.
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