Dr. Michael Eric Dyson spoke at the Stevenson Event Center on May 9 for the sixth annual speaker blowout. SUA and Engaging Education jointly organized the event, which was aimed toward addressing issues that affect students’ access to higher education and the success of under-resourced and under-represented communities on campus.

Philosopher, author, civil rights activist and actor Dr. Cornel West spoke at this year’s Speaker Blowout event. West lectured on race, gender, class and social justice in America.

If Chancellor Blumenthal is seriously committed to increasing diversity at UCSC he must sign a written agreement to permanently fund Engaging Education, because increasing diversity doesn’t just hinge upon financial opportunity but on changing the social climate on the campus.