Reactions
A Question on Diversity
A "Roving Reporter" Asks Students their opinions on the diversity of the campus. In it, many of the students specify one of two different opinions, that the campus lacks diversity, or it does not, and then explain why they think so in varying levels of detail. Among those that think Ursinus College lacks diversity, they agree that it it not the College itself, but the students. While minorities aren't segregated, there are groups of students that do not stray from their respective groups. They even go into further detail, citing peoples lack of understanding of certain cultures. These students, who have a problem with the diversity(or lack thereof) on Ursinus' campus are not coincidentally the majority, showing clearly how people on campus were reacting to racial tension on campus.
"What's Going on with Exposure?"
In The Grizzly, published February 1st, 2007, Jon Gagas wrote “What’s going on with Exposure.” One evening the semester prior, Exposure had a potluck dinner where students of every color came together for a communal meal. Exposure is a group that gives students a faculty a forum for exposing their experiences of harassment and discrimination, as well as exposing people of different backgrounds. President Heather Saunders of Exposure believed the dinner was an achievement where it gives people of all “religious traditions, races, and sexual identities a place to dialogue.” Exposure is a response from students at Ursinus College that have created a designated time and place for all people of color to come together and build relationships with one another.
“Black History Celebrated Across Ursinus Campus”
Staff writer, Nipun Suri, wrote “Black History Celebrated Across Ursinus Campus” on February 22, 2000, from the Ursinus student newspaper, The Grizzly. Paulette Patton was key in planning and creating cultural and artistic events designed to educate the Ursinus campus community of black history. Historical events were centered around the civil rights movement during the ’60s. Films were shown, brief lectures, and chapel services were held to “honor, remember, and celebrate the past.” Dean Todd McKinney weighs in his thoughts and feels that there needs to be more incorporation of black history than just one month of focus.
Cafe Nia
From the 2004 Ruby yearbook, Cafe Nia was an event held to celebrate and remember ancestors and black history. Cafe Nia is an event where primarily students of color at Ursinus College come together for a meal and host speakers and performances. Campus events like Cafe Nia help in building and sharing community on campus, aiding in retention of the students.
First African-American Graduate to be Honored
In The Grizzly, published February 3rd, 2011, Joshua Walsh wrote “First African-American graduate to be honored,” recognizing and awarding William Robert Crigler who was the first African-American graduate of Ursinus College in 1956. After an interview with a scout from Ursinus College, who was looking for an African-American student to enroll, Crigler ended up enrolling at Ursinus College. Crigler was very involved on campus; he studied several hours a day, played two sports, and sang in the school choir, to name a few. Crigler was devoted to helping children and young people and suggest to them “to take every opportunity. There’s room for everything.” The ceremony for William Robert Crigler took place on February 4th and 6th. He delivered an address in Bomberger Meditation Chapel as part of Ursinus College’s celebration of black history month. Since early efforts to recruit students of color, the recognition of Crigler is one of the ways Ursinus College has continued to work towards becoming more inclusive.