After I watched the entire panel discussion, I was very much
indeed enlightened. The conversation was very thought provoking and touched upon
some diversity and racial issues in higher education, for example, affirmative
action, and admissions. But it ultimately made me think about how multicultural
centers in the future would look like and the role of student affairs
professionals in higher education. The Towson University student leader Matthew
Heimbach, wishes to create a white student organization “to allow students to
come together and advocate for their own interests” (Hanrahan, 2012). Towson University is a public university
located in an urban area in Baltimore, Maryland. There are about 18,000
undergraduate students, and 4,000 graduate students at the University. I think
that every student should have this right and exercise his or her right to
associate. Being inclusive of all cultures and identities is crucial in student
affairs. But I also think its’ important that the administration monitors and
oversees what organizations’ are doing.
In the PASA program, we discuss the importance of diversity on
campus and the many positive impacts it has on students’ personal development
and growth throughout college. Multicultural centers are the (lack of a better
word) “awareness” hubs of bringing different groups together, such as racial,
ethnic, gender, sexual orientation, religious affiliation groups, etc. to
establish a greater understanding, sensitivity, and appreciation of history,
values and experiences. Diversity and multiculturalism call for positive identity
development for all individuals and asserts toleration of all different beliefs
and values. Student affairs professionals are in the position to provide
support of the different perspectives within the campus community, and if
students’ wish to create a white student union, the support must be there
(NASPA Website).
After watching the panel discussion and discovering a little
research, Heimbachs’ rationale for establishing such an organization was
reasonable but the meetings and actions taken on behalf of their organization can
rub off as ignorance. I believe that these instances and situations in a higher
education setting can be set in positive light when student affairs
professionals take immediate action in community and coalition building between
all multicultural groups and parties. What are some other measures or potential
aids can student affairs do in a situation like this?
Though the panel discussion was formulated because of the
creation of a white student union at Towson University, it touched based on a
plethora of dynamic issues that pertained to the American history. I think the
panel surfaced a lot of important points to talk about, but this also made me
think about Towson students and and their reactions to this. This situation in
Towson University is interesting to me and I think that this case foreshadows
the road that multicultural centers in higher education maybe taking. As a
student affairs professional at Towson, what are some ways you would go about
to open dialogue or discussion to the student population about this
controversial idea? How would administrators go about the process of
implementing a safe-space for students who wish to start a white student union?
As Patton stated in her book Cultural
Centers in Higher Education, when cultural centers are implemented,
questions should be asked like: What is the mission of the culture center? What
are student learning outcomes reflected in the mission? What are the
programmatic goals of the culture center? How do these goals align with the
mission? If the culture is race
specific, how are other students invited to engage within the culture space? To
what extent is the programming curriculum designed to promote cross-cultural interactions
among students from diverse backgrounds?
References:
Hanrahan, M. (n.d.). White Student Union: Towson University
Student Matthew Heimbach Discusses Controversial Group On HuffPost Live.
Retrieved October 22, 2012, from
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/11/white-student-union-towson-university_n_1958868.html.
NASPA | Commitment to
Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity. NASPA - Student Affairs Administrators in
Higher Education. Retrieved October 22, 2012, from http://www.naspa.org/about/diversity.cfm
Patton, L. D. (2010). Culture centers in higher education
perspectives on identity, theory, and practice. Sterling, Va.: Stylus.
I watched some of the video Mace posted, but my initial reaction was that their purpose did come off as ignorant. I believe the students have every right to create a White student union, that isn't an issue. But their initial explanation of purpose was poorly argued, having a white student union just because other cultural centers exist is not a good enough reason. Cultural centers exist as a response to a need for them because of historically non-inclusiveness. It can be argued that the university itself is a white student union and most departments within it are as well. But I think it is a very good conversation to have among student affairs professionals. I think there definitely needs to be a discussion about why students feel there is a need for a white student union and how the university can address the students needs. I would be interested to see how the white student union and the university answer all the questions about the organization's mission, that Mace posed. I do agree that students have every right to create an organization if they feel there is a legitimate need for it and that includes a white student union.
ReplyDelete-Rosalynn Ayala
I think the idea of a white student group, especially at a place like Towson University, is almost comical. As a white student myself, I don't understand the rationale that the leader is putting forth on the creation of a white student union. The opinion he gives at the beginning of the interview, where he states that "there is an inherent anti-white bias in academia" is just plain wrong, and if he had done any actual research on the subject, he would know that the vast majority of universities in America come out of a "white" tradition. Considering that Towson University is listed as being only 13 percent non-white, I do not understand why the group feels that they are not being represented at the university. This makes absolutely no sense. While I feel that students should have the right to create a group if they feel the need, I don't understand what substantiates the need in this case. The speakers made a couple of points that I could see as pertinent, but for the most part, I felt like the entire idea comes across as ignorance.
ReplyDeleteTo propose a white student union at a predominately white institution (PWI) serves as quite a bit of insult to those who make efforts toward equity at a PWI. The purpose of such organizations is to accommodate the needs of underrepresented students in a campus environment that, as Christa stated, is based on the traditions of a white society. A white student union would indeed cancel out the efforts for equity for all students at a PWI.
ReplyDeleteNot to mention historical context. Many cultural groups were born out of oppression era policies that purposefully-and systematically- suppressed myriad groups. The biggest gap that exists in this country is the generational wealth between whites and non whites. Cultural centers gives students in the minority a chance to develop their voice and build on leadership skill-sets. The reasoning for the founding of this group is flawed. It makes a mockery out of students in search of their cultural identity and a sense of feeling grounded on a university campus.
DeleteMace,
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you shared this video link! I actually watched the entire debate because I was very interested in the students' and professors' opinions. I have to say, I believe the logic behind forming a white student group was flawed. Student organizations such as the Black Student Union exist because blacks are historically oppressed groups and are underrepresented on campus. It makes sense to have a support group for minority students. However, campuses and many campus organizations are historically white, so why the need to have a white student group? It just does not make sense.
Great Topic! I would have to agree with the above assesment by Alyssa and others, in that the fucntionality of the Union would have to be addressed. What would its function be? would its purpose serve to address "equity" amongst the student body, and what would that look like in practice? The function of a cultural center is to provide a support space and community for underepresented and marginalized groups- there would have to be a clear and primary function beyond the notion of "every other group on campus has one, etc. etc.." - DREA ELZY
ReplyDeleteFor the sake of equality, I think that white students should have the right to create their own organization but to mirror what other people have said, what would be the purpose of such organization? It could be seen as an insult to underrepresented students who need cultural organizations for social and cultural support but if the organization partnered with other cultural orgs in raising awareness on white privilege and diversity in general, it might be a great step in promoting collaboration and ultimately, cultural awareness.
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate many of the previous comments and agree that a white student union seems entirely unnecessary at a predominantly white university. There are more than enough organizations and support systems that may not necessarily be directed toward white students, but certainly serve a majority of them. Look at the Greek system - there are cultural counsils, but so many Greek systems at universities are dominated by panhellenic and IFC organizations which are comprised of a majority of white students. The tone of this argument is somewhat of a "we'll show them" attitude from white students. It's so unnecessary.
ReplyDelete