Kent State a cappella group allegedly bans white students from solo auditions

An a cappella group at Kent State University allegedly banned white students from auditioning for certain solos and disciplined a longtime member for questioning the racist practice.

Vocal Intensity A Cappella limited certain solos to “people of color,” adding that white students would be engaging in “cultural appropriation” if they were to perform them, according to emails that Campus Reform exclusively obtained.

EXCLUSIVE: @KentState a cappella group bans white students from solo auditions

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Mark Phillips, the a cappella group’s beatboxer who’s been a part of the team for three years, contacted a board member to criticize the exclusion of white students by pointing out how the policy contradicts Kent State’s anti-discrimination policies, suggesting that the limitation seemed “at odds with equal opportunity.”

Phillips was clearly referencing the group’s constitution, which prohibits discrimination based on race, and Kent State University’s policy that bans racial discrimination and retaliation against students who challenge it.

In addition to the previously mentioned documents, Republican Gov. Mike DeWine also signed the Advance Ohio Higher Education Act earlier this year that restricts Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) practices across public universities. Senate Bill 1 also explicitly prohibits race-based advantages to “provide [students] equality of opportunity, with regard to those individuals’ race.”

“I fully respect concerns about authenticity, but I also believe that whoever gives the strongest performance should be given the chance,” he wrote in an email to the board. “Art, music, and culture are meant to be shared and celebrated, not gatekept.”

Instead of addressing the hypocrisy, the board accused him of violating the university’s anti-discrimination policy, placed him on probation and scheduled a disciplinary hearing that required him to “plead his case” before the entire group.

It was also revealed that the board prepared a process that included a closed board hearing, potential permanent removal and even a several-month suspension.

The board later allegedly reaffirmed its position, confirming that the solos would remain restricted to black students unless overturned by a vote.
Phillips called the entire process a “performative ambush designed as a hearing,” and resigned.

“I argued for equal treatment. The eagerness to twist my words shows a lack of honesty and critical thought. Denying opportunities based on skin color is discrimination by definition,” he wrote in his resignation letter.
Phillips told Campus Reform that he was punished not for misconduct but for opposing the discriminatory behavior.

“My only crime was advocating for equality for everyone, regardless of skin color. I raised a valid concern, discussed the definition of discrimination and held a mirror up to what they were doing. In their eyes, anti-white discrimination is okay, but challenging that precedent isn’t,” he said.

Ohio.News previously reported that Kent State, among many other major universities in Ohio, was engaging in similar race-based exclusionary practices in its doctoral programs.