Ripon College

Jamar Thomas, Class of 2025

Editorial Team — Thu, 14 Apr 2022 03:22:11 +0000

It is not really cliquey. There are no resources, although, there is a diversity center where we have our own space. At least to my assumption, Ripon is very progressive. I feel represented. Continue to be black unapologetically! Things are gonna be rough because of the ‘setbacks’ our people have endured but don’t let that knock you over.

Anonymous, Class of 2024

Editorial Team — Thu, 14 Apr 2022 03:20:56 +0000

You can actually date at a PWI. I know many people struggle but it’s just about taking that chance. I was never really looking for a relationship it just found me. Yes, I would flirt with people to see if I still had it or a few guys would approach me but it didn’t seem genuine. You can feel it when someone wants an honest connection with you. We were 2 people with different backgrounds who just connected so well. That being said, It’s typically separated by sport and race. Most black people on campus connect well even if we came from different places. Then you have your select few who don’t associate with other black people. It makes you wonder have they never been around other black people or if they don’t know how to approach us. The Black Student Union is a space that allows you to be unapologetically black. This is my first time attending a PWI so when I went to my first BSU meeting it was so welcoming. It felt so nice to be able with them. There wasn’t really a barrier that stopped us from connecting. Ripon has different organizations for diversity, but I don’t think they understand minority students. Those places exist but they don’t do what’s needed. They touch on surface-level topics that people are tired of talking about when no change happens. They are supportive of students of color with other marginalized identities. I sometimes feel they cater too much to LGBTQ+ on campus because these organizations have mainly white students. Blacks students who are a part of that community usually attend BSU meetings because their race comes first. I do not feel represented. They try to showcase us like they have representation, but they don’t. Ripon could have more teachers of color. They desperately need more teachers of color because they have a lack of representation on campus. Who really wants to attend a school that barely has people who look like them around or educate them?? If you want to come here, please be comfortable in your blackness. Don’t be afraid to approach the black people on campus. Don’t attend the parties they totally suck.

Anonymous, Class of 2023

Editorial Team — Thu, 14 Apr 2022 03:18:52 +0000

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.