Open Letter to President Susan Edwards, Wright State University

Dear Dr. Edwards,

I thought you might like to know that no one is answering the phone in the President’s Office at Wright State University. Did you direct them to stop answering the phones?

This afternoon, I called your office to see if you have launched an investigation into the bullying that went on at Wright State, as well as the J-ROTC's refusal to issue Pierre Damas Bel a uniform because of his ankle shackle. Both incidents directly contributed to this young man's death. By all accounts, including his own Instagram, Pierre was excited to study Neuroscience at WSU and planned to become a doctor.  

The first time I called your office, I was placed on a forever hold. The second time I called, your office immediately hung up on me. This happened the third and fourth time I rang. The fifth, sixth, and seventh time, my call was immediately picked up by an answering service. When the machine asked me to articulate the name of the person I was trying to reach, I said yours. I was then endlessly routed and re-routed through the answering system.

I have seen the statement you gave to the press, in which you said the university is “heartbroken by this devastating loss. Pierre was an active honors student who was passionate about soccer and was already actively engaged in his classes and the campus community. The University mourns the death of Pierre and extends our deepest condolences to his family, friends and loved ones during this unimaginably difficult time."

As I also said to Springfield Mayor Rue, now is not the time for "thoughts and prayers." Now is the time for action. If you had taken my call, this is what I would have said: "Try to imagine how Pierre's family feels. Attempt, for one uncomfortable moment, to put yourself in their shoes. Students on your campus bullied him. They are adults. The J-ROTC office on your campus gave everyone a uniform, except him. They are also adults. And you are the president of a major university. Stop hiding behind an answering service and tell us what you are going to do, now, to address these factors that contributed to this young man's death."

Pierre's family, and community, deserve an answer.

Sincerely,

Lynn Tramonte

Executive Director

Ohio Immigrant Alliance