SJU Senate shortcomings reveal larger university issue
This is the opinion of De’Andre Forbes, SJU first year and SJU Senate first year representative.
Do you really feel like you belong here? Certainly, each of us has asked ourselves that question at least once since enrolling. However, as an international student, I can assure you we ask ourselves that question much more often than our domestic counterparts.
There are days when I believe, “Yes, I belong here.” But on the rare occasion, I reflect on the realization that these institutions were not made for me. When I say “me,” I mean minority groups from the U.S. and international students. Ultimately, I believe CSB+SJU has not done enough to increase the diversity of the student population to reflect the world’s demographics. The recent resignations from the St. John’s Senate are a telling sign that everyone does not fit into the presently constructed CSB+SJU.
When I sit and realize to date that four senators, each representing a minority background, have resigned, I know that change is needed in this institution. Everyone does not feel heard, everyone does not feel as though they have a place and everyone does not feel accepted or appreciated, even the most senior leaders of our clubs and society. I know that change is needed in the demographics of our institution. If a liberal arts education ought to prepare me for the nuances and multi-dimensional wider world, there ought to be a student population that reflects the varying values, backgrounds and experiences I will encounter in the world. Until then, can we really call ourselves a liberal arts place of higher education?
I concede that we as a university are not alone in this problem, but it is the lack of an attempt to diversify that makes me angry. The strategic plan which administration has touted as “forward thinking” needs to deliberately address the demographic issues of our institution; until it does, the few brave, beautiful and brilliant minorities who descend upon these campuses will continue to feel out of place, will continue to be demoralized and will not have the best experience possible at CSB+SJU. History makes topics like race dynamics a touchy and often-avoided one, but today I encourage my readers, students, educators and administration to lean into this uncomfortable conversation.
They say, “who feels it… knows it.” As I look around my classroom of 20 or 30 and realize that I am the only student of color, I know without question that change is needed.