Towson University President Signs Students' Demands After Sit-In

TOWSON, Md. (WJZ) -- Getting their demands met. Towson University signs a pledge to promote diversity. This follows an all-night protest by students.

WJZ's Amy Yensi has more on the protest and the changes coming out of it.

The university president signed the agreement at about 1 a.m. Thursday morning. Students say it means they're finally being heard by the man in charge.

In a statement, Towson University officials said:

We are proud of our students who brought their concerns to the Towson University administration. We applaud them for their conviction and their passion. Last evening's exchange of ideas was a mutual learning experience that resulted in a shared vision and a feasible course of action. In the words of the students themselves, the opportunity for discourse was as important as their list of demands. We feel confident that we can move forward with the agreement that Interim President Chandler signed last night, and we look forward to continued dialogue to make our campus a welcoming and productive environment for every student.

"This is what universities are supposed to do. We are supposed to help students express their opinions and find solutions to problems. I'm extraordinarily proud of this group of students, who want to make this a better place, not just for them, but for all of us."

With a list of demands and completely unannounced, students stormed the Towson University administration building. The surprise sit-in by nearly two dozen black students calling for diversity has prompted the school to change.

"The number of students of color that are represented on various groups and organizations, the number of members of black faculty that are placed in the tenure track," said Ray Feldmann, Towson University spokesperson.

In video obtained by The Towerlight, an independent, student-run newspaper based out of Towson University, students are heard chanting against discrimination at the hands at other students and the lack of faculty diversity on campus.

"I don't know of any African American teachers here. Maybe I just never met them," said Ernest Jackson, student.

Their impassioned pleas in a list of 13 demands to end racial injustice for Interim University President Timothy Chandler, who cleared his schedule to meet with the students.

RELATED: Towson Students Stage Sit-In, Present '13 Demands List'

After going line by line in the list of demands, they finally reached an agreement--ten hours later.

"There should be something different to make the students feel they are actually part of the school," said student Shelby Taylor.

The swift action by Towson University--a contrast to growing racial tensions at campuses across the country--including students at the university of of Missouri. That university's president resigned after black students complained the school wasn't doing enough to end racial discrimination.

Back in Towson, both the administration and students are happy that a peaceful demonstration is leading to change.

"I'm glad that it was so simple and that so many members of the administration stayed for so late last night to discuss things instead of ignoring the problem," said Cody Boteler, senior editor, The Towerlight.

The students and university president will be meeting for a follow up scheduled for the end of the month.

There are 22,000 students at Towson; 17 percent are African American.