Too Far.

An Email I received from President Benson (President of College of Charleston) this morning.

"To comply with new federal legislation, the College will begin asking all students and employees who joined the College before July 2009 to resubmit their race and ethnicity information.

The federal government enacted the Higher Education Opportunity Act in August 2008 to address the changing demographics of our society.  This new legislation allows students and employees to more accurately classify their race and ethnicity and is intended to standardize such information across all institutions of higher education and the federal government.

Beginning April 19, 2010, the College will use a two-question survey to obtain race and ethnicity information.  The first question asks whether the student or employee is Hispanic/Latino.  The second question asks the student or employee to identify as one or more of the following races:  White, Black or African-American, Asian, American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander.      

Students and employees who joined the College after July 2009 have already completed the two-question survey.  Students who are asked to resubmit their race and ethnicity information will be prompted to complete the two-question survey when logging into MyCharleston, the online portal students use to register for classes.  Employees who are asked to resubmit this information will also be prompted when logging into MyCharleston, the online portal employees use to submit time sheets and report leave.  Students and employees will be prompted to resubmit this information each time they log in until the survey is completed."

I URGE you- DO NOT Complete this survey. If you must, please DO NOT use correct information. Email President Benson and let him now how OUTRAGEOUS this is. I informed him politely that I am a decedent of the Earth, and thus my ethnic  make up is not an option.  If you honestly want EQUALITY you will do the same.