class of 2023

Souleman Toure, Class of 2023

Editorial Team — Thu, 11 Aug 2022 03:17:15 +0000

I chose Bowdoin because I enjoyed my time when I visited. I felt like people really embraced me as a prospective student, and I thought if I received this comfort, and I wasn’t yet admitted it would only get better once I got in. That was the main thing that led me to Bowdoin. People were very generous with their time and gave me honest feedback about Bowdoin and the college process in general. I would choose Bowdoin again. I have met people that I will be friends with for life. It has been challenging in many ways, but overall, I think my time here has brought me a lot of joy. I appreciate the experience I have had at Bowdoin, and I think the community is a special one. Personally, I interact with lots of different groups on campus so the feeling of cliqueyness is not one I really resonate with. This answer can look different for different people. I can say there are groups that are maybe more homogenous and that people find similarities and identify with people who look like them. But I don’t believe that is a thing unique to Bowdoin. I think people mingle and move around spaces/people often at Bowdoin. We are not perfect, but I feel like the majority are open to meeting/engaging with people that look very different outside themselves. We have Black Men’s forum, there is a female version as well I believe. There are Students of Color in Computing and those are some that I know from memory. We have Africa Alliance and Soca/Caribbean Club which are not exclusive to Black students but are spaces where you will find a lot of Black students. There have been potlucks, fashion shows, “African weddings”, Lunches and Meet and Greets, and hangout/social events. These spaces are not always something I go to every week but when I do show up I am always welcome. In the last month, there has been a BSU x LASO Jersey Party, Black scholars night (weekly study together), Guest speaker Mr. Pious Ali, and a talk about Billie Holiday’s legacy. I think the administration listens a lot and tries to work with students of color. They are really open about feedback, but a response can be hard sometimes for them. I know there are things in place on campus to try and help black/POC students in a more proactive way. This weekend there is a POC retreat/getaway for the weekend. They try and provide resources as best they can and it’s again not perfect. But there is good intention and effort and more can always be done for sure, but the black/POC experience is not uniform. So, trying to do something for all students of color assumes a lot and might end up hurting some. It’s hard to say if I feel represented. I don’t know what goes on at other institutions, but I think Black voices at Bowdoin over my time here have grown. I think people are listening more and trying to understand better and make it an inviting space for all members of the community. We are a small portion, but sometimes less is more you feel me?

Ataia Templeton, Class of 2023

Editorial Team — Thu, 14 Apr 2022 04:16:01 +0000

Every black student I know has their own experience with being singled out as black/other in the classes that are predominately white. Mine: I was in an upper-level French class and the professor was talking about slavery in the French DOMs, and throughout the lecture, every white person in the class took their time to stare at me when the Professor asked for thoughts or whatever. For the most part, it is cliquey, there are some interracial friend groups. There are many organizations that support students of color because the campus is so large. Often they’re student-led, but there are resources like Trotter and DEI (probably not the name) that focus on equity and inclusion. BSU is so amazing and the Department of AfroAmerican and African studies and its professors are literally the reason why I decided to not transfer. I wish the admin or the regents would put more effort into getting black students on the campus. A larger black student population could lead to improvements in how they support black students and also make the campus less white which is very necessary. I do not feel represented. As for other identities, if you are physically disabled, you may not be supported as much as you need. From what I understand, not every building is accessible for all. I know some physically disabled people on campus who get around fine, but I know it may still be a concern. Umich does have the Spectrum Center which was the first of its kind and it does a lot to support LGBTQ people on campus. Also, the campus has a sexual assault unit and three all-women dorms that are inclusive of non-binary females and transgender women. I will say though that the dorms need to be renovated ASAP, but that hasn’t been prioritized by the regents. If you are coming to UMich, get involved with BSU!! Be friends with black people that match your vibe and always pull the race card because no white person wants to be called racist and reminding most of them that they have privilege because they’re white is uncomfortable for them, so pull it.

Elijah, Class of 2023

Editorial Team — Thu, 14 Apr 2022 04:13:19 +0000

There are not really resources for black students, but there are some. There are a decent amount of clubs centered around black experience and black students, which I’ve had positive experiences with. It’s not strictly enforced, but you can definitely tell that people prefer to stick around people that look like them or share their experiences. UMich does not really support black students or students of other marginalized groups at all. Not any more than they do other students — which is not really at all. I wish there was more representation from our student body (if the interests are there) in the fields that we want to go in. Y’all do NOT ride for us when we need you to. As a black person, I feel a severe lack of representation, and on the individual level, I feel more like a number than anything else. If there’s one thing you should do, it is to find yourself. Focus on that from the beginning and you’ll have a lot fewer problems getting lost in the process. It’ll still (absolutely) happen, but you’ll be more ready in this case.

Cynthiana Desir, Class of 2023

Editorial Team — Thu, 14 Apr 2022 04:11:19 +0000

This is just my own experience as it might not relate to everyone who goes to a PWI, but the biggest thing I’ve noticed is that people won’t talk to me, or even interact with me at all. Being the only black woman in my classes, I’ve noticed that other students would rather climb across to the one empty seat in the middle of a row, rather than sit remotely close to me on the edge of an aisle, with plenty of open seats around me. And being a dark-skinned woman, it hurts even more that on the off-chance we’re approached by another student, they will immediately direct their attention towards my black friends with lighter complexions, and will not even acknowledge me in any way. I chose this school because of my faith, and because of the cheap cost of tuition compared to other universities. I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and I thought I would be welcomed because of our shared beliefs. But after being here for only two semesters, it has proved to be the complete opposite of what I was expecting. I feel so alone in a place that I thought would bring me comfort. I would not choose this school again, even if it could save me money in the long run. From my point of view, it is segregated, but not intentionally. Many of my friends and other students of color on campus have felt similar feelings to what I feel, so we have found–or created–spaces where we take action to make ourselves feel comfortable: our safe spaces. There is no intention to segregate, but because we do not feel welcome by the majority, we stick together with others of our same race and/or ethnicity and find joy within our minority. As a woman, the only support that I’ve seen are booths advertising the resources for those who have been sexually assaulted. Other than that, I myself have not seen any support for women. Additionally, I am not a member of the LGBTQ+ community, but I can say that the school has done close to nothing for those a part of the community. The only support demonstrated was between the students towards each other. There are no resources that I know or have heard of specifically for black students. There are offices such as the Multicultural Student Services Center which provides both financial and general aid for students of color, and the newly-opened Office of Belonging. Choosing whether or not to attend a PWI is ultimately up to you and what college you can see helping forge your career path. Going to a PWI has its benefits: you get the chance to disrupt white spaces and reshape them into simply being spaces, claiming and creating the future our Civil Rights leaders wanted us to have. I know for me, it has been taxing on my mental health, but I have been able to make connections and have opportunities that I’ve never had before. But on the other hand, you know if you are ready to handle disruptions to your peace if any were to arise. However, take what I say with a grain of salt because all PWI’s are different and contain different experiences, and some may come with more positives than negatives. This is just my perspective stemming from my PWI experience so far.

Dozie Itie, Class of 2023

Editorial Team — Thu, 14 Apr 2022 04:07:12 +0000

Once, when walking to the library at San Diego State, I was told by the police officers that I matched a description and was stuck in a police car for over an hour. Never think your education or your attempt to get it will change how society looks at you. I chose San Diego State because I thought it would cover my expenses and I thought my adviser was good, but I would probably not choose it again. My school doesn’t have the services I need. There are resources, but it’s still very small. I can get them, but generally, I have to look for them. Either through emails or by my other black colleagues. San Diego State is starting to support black students. We have an area for black students, and there are programs, but it’s just starting to happen. I think San Diego State tries to be supportive of women, the disabled, and LGBTQ+ as well. Overall, I do not feel represented. I am the only black person in my cohort or graduate program. Basically, I wish they would try to incorporate more people of color and make sure the faculty is behind what the school is doing. If you are a prospective student, know that your advisor will say they understand, but they really don’t.

Anonymous, Class of 2023

Editorial Team — Thu, 14 Apr 2022 04:02:59 +0000

With the Student Resource Building’s designated cultural spaces, it is nice to have a space of your own with people of similar cultural backgrounds and experiences. Although, it does not seem to promote much mingling. I do think there are some students where there is no such thing. Some of the clubs on campus are and can be diverse and inclusive. Resources include the Office of Black Student Development, National Society of Black Engineers, Black Women’s Health Club, BSU, and the designated study room in the Student Resource Building on campus. The OBSD does a great job at providing opportunities, safe space, and mentoring for the Black students on campus. However, I can not speak for my counterparts. I do believe that UCSB could be doing a much better job at supporting students of color by hiring more Black and brown professors, staff members, and faculty on campus. Representation matters, especially in STEM. I chose UCSB for its Environmental Department, and I have only ever had one Black male professor teach me in the Environmental Science Department– Professor D. Pellow, an extraordinary scholar, and individual. I do not feel as represented as I would like. Being a mixed Black womxn there are few of us on campus it feels. The demographic of campus is visibly predominantly white, Asian, and international students. The Black community on campus is pretty close and tight-knit from what I have seen in my year here. They try to reach out to one another and propose bonding times, a safe space to ask questions, and genuine friendships. I suggest being vocal and reaching out to these individuals. It will make your experience more enjoyable when you can find a familiar face in the crowd.

Nazrawi Allen, Class of 2023

Editorial Team — Thu, 14 Apr 2022 04:01:09 +0000

Your first days at UCSB will be a bit of culture shock, the best thing I would recommend is to keep yourself grounded in other Black spaces because these are the people that are going to be going through the same things that you are going through and likely feel the same way about feeling isolated at such a predominately white institution. I chose my school because I was rejected by UCLA and UC Berkeley. If given the opportunity to attend any of these schools, I would choose UCLA, however, I would take UCSB over UCB. UCSB is cliquey among different races. There are resources, but much of them, are by the black students, for the black students while other communities are fed their resources by the administration. The Office of Black Student Development is a nice change, they serve as advocates for our needs. I do not feel represented by anyone but myself. I wish there weren’t so many racist professors in the Political Science department. From what I have observed, UCSB is supportive of students with other marginalized identities. Overall, try to get involved with your school’s black student organizations, they will keep you sane.

Tiffany, Class of 2023

Editorial Team — Thu, 14 Apr 2022 03:53:59 +0000

I chose this school because I thought that UNC would be very fun, however, I would not choose to go to this school again. It is very cliquey, especially between ethnicities and races. But I would also say that within the black community, it’s very cliquey as well. If you’re not a “popular student” within the black community, you’re not a part of the clique. I am a part of the executive board for the Black Student Union. I feel like being on the board helps a lot, especially when it comes to contributing ideas to bring to the table. Before I was a part of the board, I would go to BSU just so I would be in the community with other black students. We also have the Marcus Garvey cultural center, catered to black students. We also have Black Campus Ministry (which I am a part of the core team) which is a black Christian group. These organizations help a lot with supporting students. I do not really feel represented unless I’m at those black student organizations. The university just acknowledging our experiences as black students, not just from those black student organizations, would be very helpful in general. Prospective students should just be mindful of this university. I want to point out that this is a PWI, so it can be hard at times. But get involved with those black organizations.

Myca Thomas, Class of 2023

Editorial Team — Thu, 14 Apr 2022 03:51:59 +0000

I chose to attend UNC because I planned to attend a college in Colorado where my immediate family is located in. My only option was to attend a predominantly white institution. Ultimately, I chose to attend UNC because I thought it provided the most diversity compared to other institutions in the state. I also wanted to search for a school that contained a close-knit community of people of color. I do not believe the school is cliquey or segregated between ethnicities and races because everyone supports one another. Even with the cultural centers on campus, different ethnicities will utilize the space of cultural centers that they do not necessarily identify with. There are a few resources available to Black students. Spaces such as the Marcus Garvey Cultural Center, clubs like Black Student Alliance, African Student Alliance, and Black Campus ministry to name a few are great spaces that help bond the community of Black students on campus. In the past, I felt as if these spaces were very beneficial in providing students with an opportunity to meet peers who share their same identity. However, now these spaces are not utilized as much as they were in the past. UNC supports people of color, including those with other marginalized identities, by providing clubs and organizations for students of color. I also think the cultural centers are a large contribution to the support that students receive, as they are able to meet staff and professionals of color that can help academically, mentally, and emotionally. One of the main things I wish my school would do more to help students of color is to hire more Black professors. It is isolating to go into a classroom and be the only student of color in a sea of peers who all can relate to one another except you. The casual racism and ignorance are often dismissed when most professors are White. Along with that, I wish that race and racism were talked more about during other courses instead of a specified race class. Race affects all areas of life, and unless people attend a class on racism, most do not see where it is hidden and how it is used to marginalize communities. I do not feel represented at my school. Being a Black-Caribbean, female student at a predominantly White institution is challenging. I do not usually get the opportunity to meet others with those same identities, and people have little knowledge about my culture. Some advice that I would give to a prospective Black student is to seek out resources! Use the cultural centers, and join the cultural clubs. Being away from family is already difficult and mentally taxing. And being away from family in a completely different community is even more challenging. Seek out the resources to make friends and meet people who share similar identities. Create your own home away from home by building relationships with other people who you can relate to. It makes the experience less lonely and more fun.

Lauren David, Class of 2023

Editorial Team — Thu, 14 Apr 2022 03:25:33 +0000

The Black Student Union is in the midst of creating a number of resources. We are looking to implement a mentorship program with the local community of Newtown, an Africana Living Learning Community, full scholarships for underrepresented students, and mental health resources including seminars on black health. However, most of these initiatives have been created by our club members. It is a little frustrating because the resources available are one’s being created by us. My initial advice for admin would be to stop tokenizing the few black students on campus and truly engage in conversation about why more students of color do not attend the school. Though marketing and engagement are important, students of color are not just a statistic that can be used for grants or to display diversity, we need to be supported through equitable practices. This looks like providing scholarships, creating spaces for safe dialogue, seeing more lectures and teachers that look like us, and facilitating more community engagement. Multiple offices such as the CEO and OOIE provide support through activities enjoyed by students of color. Resources available to students on campus also include access to the student success center and counseling services. New College prides itself on bringing together diverse groups of people but it is also up to individuals who they choose to surround themselves with. I believe my school is representative of other marginalized identities that I identify with such as being a woman and LGBTQ; I can arguably say I’ve found my tribe in shared identities. New College is on the more liberal side which I appreciate when it comes to resolving the issues marginalized groups face and I always feel that there is a place to make my concerns heard no matter what the issue is. But it is not a place where I feel seen and valued as a black woman. I advise prospective students to visit schools when possible to learn what your experience would be like. When I came to New College I knew it was the right fit for me even though there is work to be done on the diversity and equity side. Most importantly, go where you are supported with the most access to opportunity. For me, that is New College.