By Heart of Illinois ABC

NORMAL – Illinois State University’s athletic department has finalized its response to student protests over racial issues among its leadership.

A week after word leaked that Athletic Director Larry Lyons said “all Redbird lives matter,” he is pledging to take diversity training, along with his staff.

The athletic department’s plan also says in all caps, “BLACK LIVES MATTER.”

The post says the office will respond to a list of demands from the university’s Black Lives Matter group. It also promises a monthly meeting between active students and athletic department leadership to develop “short term and long-term actionable goals and objectives that promote social justice, equity, and inclusion.”

The athletic department will also hire a therapist this fall.

A full list of promises is available here.

Heart of Illinois ABC can be reached at [email protected].