With a goal to start conversations between faculty, staff, administration and students, Longwood hosted its first of a three-part series of group discussions at the Robert Russa Moton Museum on Thursday, Feb. 16.
The first-time event hosted 39 people in the ballroom of the museum, split into small groups.
“(The purpose of this discussion is to) breakdown some of those fears and hesitancies,” said Cheryl Steele, associate dean of student engagement.
Jonathan Page, director for citizen leadership and social justice, stated that the three part series stemmed from a climate survey answered by people on campus last semester wanting more discussion about important issues students are noticing. In addition, the new student diversity statement has left gaps since it has been implemented, according to Page.
“(This series will) begin conversations in other realms,” said Page.
Page stated that he reached out to the Black Student Association (BSA), National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), F.I.E.R.C.E. Hip Hop Dance Team, PRIDE, National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), BASIC Gospel Choir, and Hispanic Latino Association to attend the event. Page referenced those as the “target audience” for the first series but will target others for the two upcoming.
Juniors Morgan Rollins and Kevin Napier, both executive senators for the Student Government Association (SGA) helped organize the event.
“We saw a need on our campus,” said Napier.
Napier added part of the project was brought to his attention upon talking with a friend about the necessity to talk about important issues to bring about change.
“Our goal in these ‘Building Bridges’ conversations is to bridge the gap of misunderstanding, to be able to engage in meaningful conversations that can be uncomfortable. We live in an ever changing world and we have to be able to adapt to these changes while respecting one another,” said Rollins.
“Kevin and Morgan have been phenomenal,” said Steele.
Page then asked each table of attendants to discuss several discussion questions given to them for about 30 minutes.
Many personal experiences with hate crimes filled the ballroom of the museum, creating bonds with strangers, as Napier added upon the arrival of the attendants.
As a whole, each table then shared what personal experiences were discussed within their small groups.
Much discussion surfaced when one attendee spoke with frustration about the lack of consideration for the student diversity statement established last year led by Quincy Goodine ’16.
One student added the diversity statement “needed some teeth behind it."
Another student wanted the statement to be implemented into the courses of the new core curriculum and treated with the same authority as the Honor Code.
Also noted by many who attended was the need for transparency when Longwood administration references incidents regarding hate crimes. Some felt the email sent out to students on Friday, Feb. 10 did not disclose enough details about the incident while others felt the email was vague enough to not bring about attention.
Page ended the event by asking for feedback for future events.
“We are all living in the same campus community.” said Napier. “So go out and get people to come.”
“I’m really excited to see so many people out here today,” said Page.
“Overall, the event was a success and we look forward to using what we learned on Thursday to shape the rest of these sessions,” said Rollins.
The next of this series will be on Tuesday, March 28 in Blackwell Hall.
37 students and staff participated in a group discussion, Building Bridges, held at the Moton Museum.
