Lake County Gazette

A group of community members expressing mounting concerns over critical race theory has forced the College of Lake County board to delay the installation of an administrator tasked with overseeing diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.

In all, 24 individuals have publicly stepped forward thus far to make the board aware of their feelings and concerns, maintaining they believe the hiring would lead to critical race theory (CRT).

CRT is a school of thought that generally focuses on how power structures and institutions impact racial minorities. Lake County College officials insist the teachings are not part of the school curriculum and they have no plans for implementing it.

To date, 17 board members favor moving ahead with the hiring of an administrator, with  Board chair Amanda Howland insisting diversity means more than just race and includes such variables as religion, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation and wealth.

"You're trying to help people where they need help, but you're not teaching race and you're not teaching critical race theory,” Howland said at a board meeting. "That just has no part in it."

CLC President Lori Suddick defended the planned hiring as being part of the school’s strategy in providing “an equitable high-quality education to the diverse communities it serves.”

Once installed, Suddick said the administrator will work to make certain policies, systems and processes encapsulate the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion to support every student.

"As an open access institution of higher education, CLC is responsible for ensuring it provides holistic student services, learning experiences, and co-curricular options that meet the needs of a very broad spectrum of students," she told the Daily Herald. "Research shows the provision of these basic needs improves the likelihood of successful degree attainment."