Contact CU Independent Politics Beat Writer Charlotte Bowditch at charlotte.bowditch@colorado.edu.
Due to a lack of on-campus diversity and ethnic inclusion, the University of Colorado is organizing an event called “Student Voices at CU: What Racial and Ethnic Inclusion Means for Our Campus” to generate more awareness and inclusion of all races at the school. This event will be located in the UMC Aspen Rooms on Feb. 11, from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
CU Engage, Ethnic Minority Affairs Committee, the Center for Unity and Engagement, the Office of Diversity, Equity and Community Engagement and the BOLD Center are hosting this event in order to unite the campus in light of racial differences that have divided students in the past.
“Student Voices” has been organized in response to a recent climate survey uncovering the fact that many black students feel as though they are not included or welcomed within the general population on campus. According to the survey, “Less than half of undergraduates — and only a quarter of African-American students — feel valued and supported at the University of Colorado.”
The climate survey followed the racially charged demonstrations that occurred at University of Missouri, prompting a rally led by students at CU Boulder.
“We wanted to do something to bring attention to the issues that we have on campus and to show support for students at Mizzou, who are receiving death threats,” said Kelsey Gonzalez, a senior at CU.
There has been a very slow growth in African-American students enrolling at CU, but Victor Hernandez, assistant director of the Cultural Unity and Engagement (CUE) Center, sees the CU Engage event as a chance to propel a demand for more diversity on campus.
“This event is a great opportunity for the campus community to continue our efforts in creating an inclusive community,” Hernandez said.
CU Engage encourages any students, regardless of their background, to attend, but the event will be focused on the students of color.
To find out more, go to the CU Engage webpage, or join the Facebook event page.
