One of the main aspects VCU prides itself in is its diversity. It’s one of the factors that attract students not only from the States, but also from overseas, as students from all backgrounds crowd the sidewalks. It’s the foundation of this institution.
Ironically, this is also the area where the university needs the most growth.
This past fall, VCU students staged a peaceful protest to stand in solidarity with the students of the University of Missouri who were encountering racial discrimination by their peers and faculty members on their campus. The protest was followed by a sit-in at President Rao’s office to address student concerns regarding diversity on VCU’s campus.
These events immediately caught the attention of administration and faculty members alike, leading to a forum to spearhead the issues.
At the forum, students and faculty members from all backgrounds voiced their concerns regarding the topics of diversity and inclusion. Some of the key concerns raised during the forum included the lack of African American faculty members, and increased action behind the promises made to students from the administration.
The President’s Forum on Diversity opened up a line of communication that allowed both faculty and students to discuss growing concerns. It was followed up with collaborative efforts between the university and the student organizations.
One of the most notable actions the university has taken is introducing new faculty members that bring fresh perspectives to departments they serve.
Andrew P. Daire, the current associate dean for research in the College of Education at the University of Houston, will effectively be the new dean to the School of Education here at VCU.
Debra J. Barksdale, Ph.D, has been appointed as the new associate dean of academic programs at the School of Nursing.
Both individuals are African American.
In the process of molding a student into a professional during their undergraduate career, it is vital for the student to interact or encounter individuals from a similar ethnic background with a position of authority or hierarchy. This allows the student to picture him or herself as something greater than what society has led them to believe.
By placing these African Americans, or any other person of color, in a position of authority, students not only in the education department, but throughout the school will have someone to share their struggles or successes with that may only be unique among POC.
VCU is an institution that is constantly pushing their students to be their best. The professors on campus help students foster skills and techniques that will help them in their practical lives. Yet, because the faculty does not reflect the overall mission of the diversity, students suffer from a lack of representation.
It is commendable that VCU has created such an atmosphere on campus where these tough conversations can be held. The effort comes not only from student organizations, but from administration, who were both eager to finally start working towards addressing the underlying issues regarding inclusion on campus.
Other issues that were raised during the forum were awareness, sensitivity and tolerance in and outside of the classroom. The topic spanned between religion, culture, sexual orientation or other deviations of identification.
When the spring semester began, student organizations held an impressive array of discussions to increase communication. The Black Lives Matter Symposium held Jan. 20 discussed issues from police brutality to inclusion on campus. An interfaith panel discussion held the following day discussed today’s issues within the religious hemisphere, and another more comprehensive discussion followed on Jan. 28.
Another group of students raised their concerns about safety and sensitivity in the classroom at the forum. The Muslim community on campus is concerned about the growing animosity toward the American Muslim community in the states. This environment does not make it easy for students who have to constantly defend themselves for practicing a certain faith.
Conversations in classrooms regarding the topic are relevant, but sometimes they enter a realm of prejudice and ignorance. Muslim students often find themselves fending for not only themselves, but their entire population, because some professors seemed to not be equipped with the tools to handle these difficult conversations.
Muslims may not have a problem speaking up for their community, but just like any other group of individuals on campus they have very real concerns. Professors should be able to maneuver these often difficult conversations so everyone involved can walk away having learned something.
There was significant response from various administrative offices to address the students’ concerns.
After the forum, the VCU Police Department reached out to the Muslim Students Association to increase communication regarding safety concerns, which was especially reassuring. The President’s office made a statement standing in solidarity with the community, along with the Student Commons, Office of the Dean of Humanities and Sciences, and various other departments across campus.
The encouragement that the Muslim community received from the administration put a significant amount of tension to rest, and paved a way to start having new discussions to tackle the growing issues in the world.
The collaborative effort between the university and student organizations is beginning to scratch the surface of the issues the community faces. Although the university is beginning to take strides in the right direction, there is still plenty of work that needs to be done, conversations to be had and substantial changes to be made.
Hiba Ahmad, Contributing Columnist