Following a statement by Virginia football coach Al Groh Wednesday, which some deemed insensitive to Arabs, students and faculty are working to facilitate dialogue and educate the community about cultural awareness.
The statement was made during a weekly ACC coaches' teleconference, in response to a question regarding the team's confidence in air travel.
"I'm not saying this to make light of it by any means, but I don't plan on having any Arabs in the traveling party so therefore I think probably that the threat of our being hijacked is fairly remote," Groh said, immediately sparking national media attention from ESPN, the Associated Press and newspapers throughout Virginia.
Groh apologized Wednesday night for the statement, saying he did not mean to insinuate that people of Arabic decent are terrorists, and that he was sorry if his remark was insensitive.
In a meeting held Friday, Assistant Dean of Students Ajay Nair, Virginia Director of Athletics Craig Littlepage and Muslim Students Association President Sana Khalid discussed ways to address Groh's comment.
Nair said it was made clear that students are upset about the incident and that it should not be taken lightly.
"At the same time, we realize that the statement was not representative of the University," he said. "We have a unique opportunity to get the athletic department involved in a role they don't usually play."
Littlepage agreed that the incident provided an opportunity for the school to expand its cultural awareness.
"Generalizations aren't right," he said. "We can use this as a way to learn more about others in our community. We can have a positive result."
Concerned students will meet with Nair and speak with heads of student organizations this week to decide ways the community can address Groh's comment.
"We can put together public forums, or whatever students want," Nair said.
"It's true we have the need for forums and activities," Khalid said. "People should have the opportunity to talk about it."
Some upset students have e-mailed Groh regarding his comment and received responses from him which addressed their concerns. Khalid said students felt that Groh was very open and apologetic to their comments about the incident.
Nair said he and student leaders discussed the possibility of a public meeting with students and Groh, and that holding such an event in the near future will remain an option if students are interested.
Both Khalid and Nair agree the incident has been handled well.
"The school has been wonderful and incredibly supportive," Khalid said. "We know the comment doesn't reflect the community."
"Luckily we are an institution of higher learning," Nair said. "We can educate people"
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