Written By: Isaiah Smart

The student body of VSU has had its share of changes. In 1963, Robert Pierce Jr. and Drewnell Thomas integrated our beautiful institution. In 1970, Dr. Louis E. Dunbar was hired as the first African-American professor at the university. A little less than 50 years later, the African-American population increased dramatically and brought most of those students from the metro Atlanta area. We have a new president, a few renovated buildings and an increase in on-campus activities.

What hasn’t changed much is the administration. Similar to our government, the VSU administration is not reflective of the diversity of the institution. Students and organizations wonder why this is so. Dr. Joseph Brown was hired in 1976 as the first Assistant Dean for Minority Affairs and served the university for 24 years. Since his retirement there has not been one person named to this position as a replacement.
International students of all backgrounds feel left out and treated unfairly. These students come from around the world to attend VSU and don’t feel they have the support of their fellow students or faculty & staff. There should be a department that incorporates their concerns and needs. A Dean of Diversity Affairs should be instated to look at these very concerns. Organizations like the African Student Association feel they are respected the way other organizations are and yearn for equality.

Even the lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender community feels ousted. As one of the most shunned minority groups, there should be a representative that these students can talk to. Every year, SafeSpace training is provided to VSU students, faculty and staff. This training advocates for the equality and toleration of members in the LGBT community.
Of course the cries have been heard the most from the African-American students. With a good number of on-campus organizations consisting of African-Americans, students often run into misunderstandings and miscommunication with those of higher power. Not that these students shouldn’t speak with those leaders because they should but when there comes a time where a mediator is needed or students just need another outlet there should be one.

It’s not all about looks; a diversity affairs department would help campus life and student involvement immensely. How? By bringing an area like this, our administration can know what changes to make and whom they affect more precisely. Our university is growing. The female population is still ahead of the male side but the administration doesn’t show it. The diverse heritage of our students and what they can offer is slowly being swept under the rug whether it is intentional or not. We need something that will make our students comfortable. We lack the unity that we have been preaching about, and here is a way to build the bridge.

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