Anonymous, Class of 2025

It is cliquey from the outside looking in, it is not like in sports and classes. When you actually attend you can see those in certain clubs for their ethnic clubs hang out with them more than trying to associate with others. Being a PWI, there are more of them than minorities, it’s more about finding your people and trying to fit in. We have the Black Student Organization and its advisors who are there to help with adjusting or simply to talk to. They’ve allowed us to have Ethnic/Race based organizations and small separate events explaining our cultures or things that originated in that particular society as well as to help us understand our own identities. Though there are few events like that, they try. Valpo could improve by just adding more minorities and students of color. It’s likely that Valpo will remain a PWI based on its location, but enrolling more students of color, it’ll make more stay and appreciate Valpo’s inclusion and diversity. In areas, I can feel represented like maybe one black teacher at every college or at least the few I see within my college. Within the university as a whole, because people are cliquish they aren’t always so welcoming for newer members outside of the organization. It’s basically trying to find your own comfort zone without looking at the other’s race. In short, I occasionally feel represented, but not as often as I’d like. It might be a rude awakening if you’ve come from a predominately black neighborhood or school. The people here are really friendly and seem like they actually look out for each other. If you don’t already have a few white friends, it might be hard to assimilate and make friends but it’s possible if you’re willing to put yourself out there to have a good time. Because college is meant to be some of the best years of your life.