Student demonstrators marched to express concerns surrounding possible changes to OU’s Project Threshold program on the South Oval on Monday morning.
In a statement, leaders from Project Threshold encouraged students to attend and support the peaceful demonstration from Dale Hall to Evans Hall. Rumors regarding restructuring the program surfaced last week resulting in an open emergency meeting called for concerned students. At the meeting, OU President James Gallogly denied rumors that the program would be shut down.
The demonstrators marched down the South Oval and were met at the doors of Evans Hall by Gallogly where he thanked demonstrators for expressing their concerns.
“We haven’t said we’re going to restructure the counselors, we are just asking questions at this point,” Gallogly said.
Students carried note cards with their written grievances about the program's sustainability with them to Evans Hall. Students handed their notecards to Gallogly and OU Provost Kyle Harper at the end of the march.
Representatives from Project Threshold said during the march that potential cuts to the program would threaten the number of counselors the organization currently provides.
Ruth Cruces, human resources management senior, was one of the demonstrators in attendance. Cruces expressed her support for Project Threshold counselor Scott Cady.
“I am here for Scott Cady,” Cruces said. “He has been my life savior when the university shut its doors on me. He was the only one who helped me open more.”
A group of concerned students, faculty and staff gathered Aug. 24 in the Jim Thorpe Multicultural Center in response to rumors that the TRiO program would be removed from campus within a month.
OU’s Project Threshold is federally funded through TRiO programs which are federal outreach and student service programs in the United States designed to help students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Services for Project Threshold are targeted at assisting low-income individuals, first-generation college students and individuals with disabilities from disadvantaged backgrounds according to its site.
Eric Rollerson, Mr. Black OU, said his purpose for marching was in support for the counselors that work for the program.
“Project Threshold not only provides resources for its students that are integral for their success, Threshold gives them a family,” Rollerson said.
