Anonymous, Class of 2023

During my first week of being at Ripon, I went for a morning run. I regretted this almost immediately because as I was jogging a car drove past me shouting racist obscenities. The college handled this by sending a shaming statement in the town newspaper, but through touching base with other alumni and current students, I found that many black students had the same experience when on that same street. There are no resources specifically for black students, and there is barely any focus on student support for POC people. Any advocation to create any by Black students has been shut down or ignored by the administration. The BSU works to create spaces for Black students despite this. I wish they would create a learning community or a space for students of color. Ripon is not necessarily big on supplying support and it definitely has its faults, but there is no undertone of racism, homophobia, or anything like that. However, it’s important to note that the diversity head is rumored to be antiblack and homophobic. I believe black students can be accepted into the college community rather easily. I feel represented, but only because I worked myself to make that a reality. The school does little for Black representation. You should find a good support system for Black students and stay safe. Ripon isn’t a bad school for Black people, but it definitely isn’t the best.