Savanna McKellar and Rachel Yeates, Campus Carrier Reporters
Since Berry is historically a predominantly white school, diversity is and has been sparse. According to Berry’s 2014-2015 Institutional Research Report there are fewer than 100 black students at Berry College out of a total of 2,085 enrolled – a mere 4 percent.
Becoming acclimated to a racially similar student body is a challenge for students who are used to a diverse environment.
“My high school was very diverse,” freshman Deja Williams-Mitchell said. “There was no race that was prominent.”
With white students being the more prevalent race, most classes, clubs and athletic teams lack racial diversity. According to the previously cited institutional research, more than 80 percent of the undergraduate student body is white.
“People want to come on campus and see people like themselves,” Tom Dasher, professor and chair of the English, Rhetoric and Writing department, said.
Ainek Jenkins, treasurer of the Black Student Association (BSA), said she doesn’t see herself in her classes.
“Out of all minorities, I’m usually the only one minority in my class,” she said.
According to Chatham University’s 2012 report “Enhancing diversity in the admissions process,” “being able to associate oneself with others in the classroom helps facilitate positive peer relationships.” Diversity in the classroom “enriches the educational experience while promoting personal growth among students.”
In 1964, then-college president John R. Bertrand admitted the first African American students to Berry. The decision was financially motivated. The day before the first three black students began classes, Bertrand addressed the college at the Quarter Fall Assembly and spoke of Berry’s poor fiscal status. According to title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, only integrated institutions are allowed to receive federal aid.
“I hope that persons who may be in disagreement with this action find it possible to adjust sufficiently their personal feelings to the facts of a rapidly changing world,” Bertrand said in his address.
Reactions to integration at southern institutions were far from positive. Due to a 1963 court order in regard to Brown v. the Board of Education, the University of Alabama admitted its first black student to the rioting of white students and residents. Gov. George Wallace famously stood in the doorway of the school to block a student’s entry.
“It is one thing to diversify our student body, but we should never relax our efforts to diversify faculty and staff,” Dasher said. Tasha Toy, director of Multicultural and International Student Programs, one of the few women of color on Berry’s faculty, speaks highly of her colleagues’ acceptance and considerations, stating that they are very open in discussion.
Senior Kara Moss said that though Berry attempts to use clubs to create an environment that’s diverse, but whether or not these clubs thrive depends on the student body.
“If they were to expand advertising for the school, that would help with diversity,” Moss said. “Berry doesn’t mention BSA. If they did, that would draw in kids that are truly diverse.”
Founded in 1970, the Black Student Association aims to build a community among minority students and enrich the lives of club members and students campus wide. While blatant racism is not very common, students of color have reported an ignorant comment every now and then.
Students in the Black Student Association appreciate the club because it is a safe haven to talk about issues and what is going on in the world. Students do not have to be of African descent to join BSA or attend meetings, as all are welcome. General meetings for BSA range in topics including racial issues, relationships and black culture awareness.