Tangible Ways to Improve the Black Experience, as Demanded by Black Students: Inaction is Not an Option

Mission of this Working Group

 

: We push for the decolonization of Rice University as it specifically pertains to Black Students. We are here to emphasize that this work will be an ongoing process that requires the committed action of all members of the Rice community. We seek to address the systemic oppression and inequity that is embedded within Rice’s history by acknowledging and amplifying voices, experiences and communities that have historically been unheard. We aim to create a new, holistic framework upon which Rice’s approach, to their education and curriculum as a whole, as well as to Black students’ overall well-being including our ability to access resources, is based.

We intend to raise awareness about the Black experience and the state of Black students at Rice.

With this list and these actions, we will address the systemic policies within Rice University that negatively impact Black students in order to move towards Black liberation. Recap/Key Note from Message to Admin: This list is not littered with quantitative data or studies of peer institutions. Rather, we decided to use this moment in history to give a

social statement.

 We hope that members of the Rice community can view this list and know that inaction is not an option, as there are many tangible ideas to explore to potentially improve the Black experience at Rice. At least one item on this list could be potentially explored by you in the future as it pertains to your role on campus and your focus for the year.  Note: Neither did we collect names of Black students who gave suggestions, nor did we list the names of those we are aware of who “adamantly support” some of these items. To protect the anonymity of Black students who may not feel comfortable with their name attached to a stated demand, which is valid, we have left them out. We want to ensure that as many Black voices are heard as possible. We took this step to ward off any potential suppression of these voices. We decided to use the verb “demand” rather than a verb that has a more passive connotation. We intend to aid in the movement to always uplift Black voices. We want to ensure that the Black students who “requested” or “suggested” these items are fully legitimized and validated in their ideas. So, we decided to voice their opinions and ideas in the most declarative way possible. We are also aware that Rice has recently announced actions to address the racial inequity and injustice present on campus. However, since this list has been in the works for almost a year now, we decided to keep every item listed in order to further highlight the need and want for these items as expressed by Black students.

 

Given the historical moment, we’ll begin with the demands pertaining to Black access and visibility on campus. 1.We

demand

that Rice University increase the number of Black students accepted to Rice.

a.Diverting more energy and resources into the recruitment process of high school students, especially those from low-income and rural areas, is one of the many avenues in which Rice could improve their efforts.

2.We

 

demand 

 

a monetary investment of in the Third Ward dedicated to supporting and uplifting the local community.

a.Community is one of Rice’s core values, and because of that, we believe that Rice has a responsibility to help support community development in areas of Houston such as Third Ward. 3.

We

demand

that Rice University publicly highlight Black achievements, successes, and events that occur.

a.Many of our Black students have made wonderful and impactful contributions to the Rice community that have gone unnoticed and often taken for granted. We deserve the same access to the same visibility and opportunities and expansive networks as all other students.

4.We

demand

that Rice University has as much public transparency as legally possible concerning targets and metrics for Black hiring and promotion rates; acceptance rates; consistency and diversity in Black course-offerings; and student/faculty/staff satisfaction.

a.This will serve as a means to keep Rice University accountable and on track with taking concrete action towards improving systemic racial inequity on all levels at Rice.

Related to comfortability and feeling included on campus, we also have outlined demands pertaining to the Black community and student well-being. 5.We

 

demand

that Rice invest in creating a non-residential Black House that has all the features of a residential college but is specifically made for Black students and Black organizations to congregate and hold events.

a.Efforts are already underway to move the Multicultural Center (MCC) but we  believe it would be best to have a central, safe space that Black students can meet and hangout in anytime of the day.

6.We

demand 

 

that Rice University remove Willy’s statue.

a.Rice University’s history has included many racist moments such as the Klu Klux Klan chapter and blackface social gatherings. In addition to that, sitting at the center of our university is William Marsh Rice, the owner of 15 slaves during the mid-19th century.

 

 b.His legacy is a constant reminder to many Black students of what Rice University used to be like and what it stood for. We believe that there could be numerous  better options to represent the heart of our university and acknowledge Rice’s racist past.

7.We

 

demand 

 

better lighting for ID photos.

a.In the past, many Black students have had significant issues with the photographs that are displayed on our student IDs. We deserve to be photographed and represented properly without having to make modifications and adjustments.

8.We

demand 

 

that Rice hire more Black counselors and therapists at Rice Wellbeing and Counseling Center. We also

demand

all counselors and therapists must be trained on how to handle racial trauma.

a.We deserve the same high quality treatment and access to professionals that suit our specific needs.. The current staff can easily be trained and there are many qualified Black therapists in the nation to choose from if the position offered is indicative of their worth. We also demand that Black students have better financial support for accessing psychiatrists we are referred to off-campus.

9.We

demand 

 

that if a Black new student requests to have a Black roommate, that request be honored.

a.In the past, students have not had a clear, formalized opportunity to let O-Week coordinators know that they would like to be roomed with another Black student. We know that this can be easily implemented into a formalized process to help students feel more comfortable.

10.We

demand 

 

affinity groups at the residential college level during O-week.

a.It is immensely important to foster community within our residential colleges and create spaces within the college from the start of students' academic careers at Rice. This ensures every student is comfortable in their residential college and can  begin to create a long lasting support system outside of their O-week family.  b.The establishment of affinity groups during O-week may also include the creation of a residential college Black student printed guide, which would include advice, interests, and contact information as well as funds to support small social events and outings throughout the school year. c.It is imperative that O-week is structured in a way that sets aside time for Black students, especially Black athletes, to get to know each other within their residential college, across their North or South colleges, and across Rice. Then, after O-week it is important that there are also dedicated college nights or some other kinds of events for those ties to also be facilitated with upperclassmen.

11.We

demand

increased diversity training for all student leaders - especially O-week advisors and coordinators.