Location

University of Richmond, Richmond, Virginia

Document Type

Paper

Description

As if they do not belong, black students attending predominantly white institutions nationwide all deal with feelings of marginalization on their respective campuses. At the University of Richmond, such feelings of "otherness" hold true. Though the current president of the University, as well as presidents past, has instituted "strategic plans" that include goals of flourishing diversity and inclusion "for all," black students at the University, before and still today, do not feel their presence is welcomed or valued on campus. Herein lie suggestions on how to improve cultural awareness and knowledge for non-black students and non-black faculty in hopes that they accept the invitation to learn more in order to better the experience and enhance feelings of belonging of their black peers and students. Through appointing a Chief Diversity Officer and a student representative subcommittee, the University can delegate them to the tasks of increasing the number of race-based events and ensuring their production, overseeing the race-based training of pre-orientation and orientation advisors, and creating and enforcing cultural competency training for faculty members.

Comments

Department: Sociology

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Bedelia Richards

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Reducing Feelings of Marginalization for Black Students

University of Richmond, Richmond, Virginia

As if they do not belong, black students attending predominantly white institutions nationwide all deal with feelings of marginalization on their respective campuses. At the University of Richmond, such feelings of "otherness" hold true. Though the current president of the University, as well as presidents past, has instituted "strategic plans" that include goals of flourishing diversity and inclusion "for all," black students at the University, before and still today, do not feel their presence is welcomed or valued on campus. Herein lie suggestions on how to improve cultural awareness and knowledge for non-black students and non-black faculty in hopes that they accept the invitation to learn more in order to better the experience and enhance feelings of belonging of their black peers and students. Through appointing a Chief Diversity Officer and a student representative subcommittee, the University can delegate them to the tasks of increasing the number of race-based events and ensuring their production, overseeing the race-based training of pre-orientation and orientation advisors, and creating and enforcing cultural competency training for faculty members.