Student Activism: A Call to Action

Throughout my short time at the University of Richmond, I have seen enormous growth in the awareness of students regarding the issues that plague this University. For example, following the horrific sexual assault case that occurred in October, many of my male friends came up to me and commented that they had never realized how scary it must be to be a woman in a world that does not prioritize the safety of ALL of its members. The first step in creating any type of change is creating awareness in the community that can take action. Without awareness of the issues, no solutions are created and no problems are solved. While it may be easier to rely on the way that things have always been done, change is needed on the University of Richmond’s campus.

The students at this University have the most powerful voice out of everyone on campus. I acknowledge that students of color and other marginalized groups on campus are already aware of the importance of creating awareness. However, this article is directed towards those who have not been marginalized or experienced incidences of bias. This article is meant to educate those who might or might not be aware of the issues on campus and impose upon them the importance of creating awareness and a community which understands and is willing to address its weaknesses.

Awareness on Campus

Programs and protests on campus have done a good job of raising awareness about the various issues facing and within this school. Instagram posts, Collegian articles, and student-led protests and information campaigns have increased awareness of the issues facing this campus. While perhaps not everyone is particularly interested or invested in the renaming of certain campus buildings, it would be difficult to find a student on campus who is not at the very least aware of the ongoing arguments. While not every student on campus has experienced an incident of bias, many students have heard stories from their friends and know that this issue is present. While not everyone on campus conforms to one religion, it is hard to argue that all religions receive the same respect, resources, and protection. While not everyone on campus is a member of a marginalized group, many are friends with someone who is and has heard stories of mistreatment. While there has been an increase in the awareness of students regarding the problems facing this campus, too much of the awareness is concentrated in the students who are being marginalized and discriminated against. There must be more awareness among those who are not minorities. It will take large scale awareness to have the numbers to make change.

Translating Awareness to Action

The discussions have been started and awareness has been raised within the student body. In fact, I would argue that much of the faculty and staff is also aware of the ongoing issues facing the University of Richmond. However, understanding that the problems exist is not enough. Unless action is taken, awareness does not mean much. Awareness is an important first step, but it is not the end goal. Yet the University of Richmond’s students have a voice that they can use to make change. There are a variety of ways that the students can get involved and promote change on campus. Despite wanting to believe that the University is working in the best interest of the students, the University of Richmond is run like a business. For example, the University of Richmond invested thousands of dollars in renovating the Student Center for Equity and Inclusion this year and creating a lounge in which student groups can congregate. Colleges across the country have created similar spaces that encourage minorities to congregate and interact with each other, but the initiatives fail to include minorities in the wider campus communities. Businesses are constantly worried about reputation and income. If the issues at Richmond became public, the school would have to worry more about maintaining its image and may become more willing to make the necessary changes on campus.

Furthermore, a poor public reputation would deter prospective students from attending and therefore impact the finances of the University, another key aspect of any business. Protesting and complaining is not enough. We cannot just call on the administration to fix the issues because we have seen that that is not effective. Rather, students need to be part of the groups creating solutions. The issues that need to be addressed are the issues that are impacting students on campus. As those who are primarily impacted, students understand the issues better than many of the faculty and staff do. That understanding can enable students to create and propose potential solutions. If the ideas for how to fix the issues were being presented to the administration, the school might be more open to implementing student ideas because they no longer have to come up with solutions themselves O

ne student-led program, Spiders Against Bias, emerged to address incidents of bias on campus. Spiders Against Bias is student-led and student-operated and helps to offer support and resources to those who have been impacted by bias on campus. Members of this organization have been thoroughly trained and have even learned about real examples of bias on campus. This program is an example of converting awareness into action. Protests and awareness are not meant to be the end all be all solution. Rather, protests are meant to be a first step in creating change.

Conclusion

Awareness is great. However, it is only the first piece of a much larger puzzle. Students must educate each other and the community while also proposing ideas. Students must be willing to get involved in creating solutions rather than merely highlighting problems. Call the local news stations to report what is happening on campus. Make a scene. Be respectful, but call into question the status quo.

We are only stuck maintaining the ways that things have always been because we those in charge refuse to think of new ways for the world to work. Challenge those in charge to not only see and acknowledge the problem, but to also make legitimate changes that will address the issues. It is essential now more than ever that students educate each other on the problems, address the problems, and not let the window for creating change close.