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KANSAN.COM
Students express concerns regarding campus diversity
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► MELISSA YUNK
@KansanNews
Native American/Alaskan (0.06%)
Black (4.10%)
Asian (4.20%)
Hispanic (6.51%)
Other (5.71%)
Undocumented Alien (9.21%)
White (69.67%)
Source: Office of Institutional Research & Planning
amisa Chowdhury, a Bangladeshi-American from Chanute, has been at the University for four years. But in the last few weeks, she has felt a new level of fear. She said she does not want to be out after dark or go anywhere alone.
"This is my campus, too. I should not feel uncomfortable walking to the library or home after class," said Chowdhuray, a senior studying environmental studies.
Since the presidential election, as students of color have expressed fear about being harassed or attacked, the University community has taken a number of steps to promote safety and civility. These have included an escort program, facilitated conversations and a campus-wide communication from Provost Neeli Bendapudi.
Students and officials say while these efforts are positive there are no quick solutions to overcoming existing prejudices to make students of color and minorities feel truly included.
"I start to wonder if there is a reason people don't want to sit next to me."
Zoya Khan Muslim Student Association president
Constanza Castro, Student Senate chair for the Hispanic American Leadership Organization (HALO), said the University needs to create more spaces and forums for students with opposing views and backgrounds to talk about their beliefs and issues. She said students should not always hold the role of educator, and that it would be worthwhile to bring in faculty or faculty from other institutions that have dealt with similar issues.
"For me personally, I think the environment is actually pretty hostile," said Castro, who was born in Chile and raised in Missouri. "In that transition stage things are very shaky. There is a lot of talk right now about balancing freedom of speech and the safety of students. It
Zoya Khan, president of the Muslim Student Association, said her own experience as a woman who wears a hijab illustrates the lack of inclusion that occurs based on how people look and dress.
"There have been times in class where I will sit in a row and the whole hall is filled but no one will sit in the seats next to me, or even in front of me," Khan said. "I think 'maybe that just happens' but after it happens class after class I start to wonder if there is a reason people don't want to sit next to me."
is something that needs to be openly discussed."
Khan said a lot of what Muslim students face are mircoaressions, not outright hostility. She said there
is worry the same type of racist slurs and fliers that have been distributed on other campuses could happen here.
At the University, the increased levels of concern about safety have prompted several responses.
International Student Services has been giving students the option to have someone escort them to and from class. As of Nov. 21, three students had used the service, said Charles Oleese, director of ISS. However, he said they were pleasantly surprised that around 700 students had volunteered to be escorts.
At University housing, resident assistants hosted community conversations to
give their residents a chance to speak about their feelings following the presidential election and express any concerns they might have about the current climate at the University.
Lorena de la O, an RA for Hashinger residence hall, said students expressed fear for themselves and for their friends, worried they might be targeted.
Precious Porras, director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs, said the University's increasing diversity requires the campus to be a comfortable place for everyone.
"With the growing diverse group on campus we need the inclusion to make it work." Porras said.
This year, non-international domestic minorities make up 19 percent of students at the University, the highest ever percentage according to data from the Office of Institutional Research and Planning.
Both Porras and Olcese said the University is committed to listening and acting on students' concerns.
"Overall, I believe KU is on the right track but in terms of the election, and our nation in general, this is just the beginning," Olcese said. "We will continue to support and listen to the students' concerns in whatever ways we can."
- Edited by Missy Minear