Communities of Color Forum Briefing Summary - October 22, 2024
*This press release is a reflection of student sentiments shared at the forum. SGA will follow up with the appropriate offices based on the feedback provided*
Event Purpose:
The purpose of the Communities of Color Forum was to provide students a platform to address the impacts of the Supreme Court’s ruling on affirmative action and identifying possible next steps in addressing this matter to make students feel supported.
Key Discussion Points
Impact of Affirmative Action Ruling on Admissions and Diversity:
- Challenges in Representation: Concerns were raised about diminishing representation of Black and Latino students compared to other top institutions that have retained or increased diversity.
- Admissions Practices: Attendees expressed frustration over insufficient outreach efforts to Baltimore-area schools and PG County, despite Hopkins’ claim to promote local engagement.
- Transparency in Processes: Students emphasized the need for transparency from admissions regarding their diversity commitments and practices.
Community Support and Cultural Resources:
- Students reported feeling unsupported, citing microaggressions and a lack of faculty diversity as significant issues.
- There is a need for better communication regarding support for space and multicultural resources.
- Students would like to see increased University leadership presence at minority focused programming rather than events that students feel are performative such as “Belonging Socials”.
Proposed Survey and Resolution:
- A draft resolution is being proposed by SGA to formally recommend institutional accountability and action steps to the administration.
- A draft survey aimed at capturing sentiments regarding support for minority students on campus was shared with forum attendees. Adjustments to questions and a clearer timeline for response collection were discussed.
Action Items and Next Steps
- Resolution Development: Finalize and vote on a resolution with feedback from this forum, emphasizing policy over performative actions.
- Update as of 10/28: Resolution Draft has been updated to include feedback and student sentiments, as of right now it is 9 pages long.
- 1st Reading in SGA will occur on 10/29/2024
- 2nd Reading in SGA and voting will occur on 11/12/2024
- No SGA Meeting on 11/5/2024 due to US Elections
- Resolution Scheduled to be sent out on 11/13/2024
- Survey Distribution: Refine and distribute a survey to gauge sentiments across student groups, with specific attention to experiences of underrepresented minorities.
- Unified Advocacy: Develop a coordinated approach to advocate for diversity initiatives and request further university support in maintaining diverse representation.
- GroupMe with student leaders has been created to continue conversation and share consistent updates.
- GroupMe with student leaders has been created to continue conversation and share consistent updates.