The number of applications the University receives from black students may decline in the future because of the intense publicity and community response following the attack on Student Council President-elect Daisy Lundy, University administrators have said.
Officials say, however, that the negative depictions of the University in the press and the possible reluctance of students to attend the University overlook administration efforts on behalf of minorities.
"It is almost a natural phenomenon when parents see in the Washington Post that there is controversy, for them to become hesitant," Dean of African-American Affairs M. Rick Turner said. "But I still feel that the University is a welcoming environment for African-American students in spite of the tremulous events of this year."
To combat the stigma that the University is not supportive of minorities, Dean of Students Penny Rue said admissions officers have stepped up efforts to personally telephone minority students and assure them they are wanted in the University community.
Dean of Admissions John A. Blackburn said the University also has turned to its "very strong" black alumni network to speak with students in their community and encourage them to seriously consider the University.
Another fear expressed by administrators is that the perception of the University climate is one of "rampant racism" and will discourage other minority high school seniors, in addition to blacks, from applying.
"We are very worried about what this will mean for all students, whether they are African-American or other ethnicities," Blackburn said.
Turner and Blackburn agreed it is important for administrators to be "forthright and earnest" in confronting parents' fears, especially at next month's Spring Fling program for accepted minority students.
"My hope is that prospective students that look at the University will see a place trying to soothe deep racial divisions," Faculty Senate Chairman Michael J. Smith said. "We're a school seeking solutions."
Smith noted that other schools across the country are confronting the same racial tensions, but in admittedly less public ways. He also said the administration has taken steps to address racial injustices.
Constructive measures to improve the racial climate have not received the attention they deserve and need to be more aggressively publicized, Smith added. These initiatives include expanded first year seminars dealing with diversity and highlighting courses already offered pertaining to issues of race.
University Provost Gene Block said the school also has increased efforts to recruit and retain minority graduate students and facility members. Additionally, the University is pursuing curriculum reviews and expanding study abroad programs to non-European countries.
Black Student Alliance President Tyler Scriven, however, said he fully anticipates a drop in the minority population at the University and elsewhere in the state.
The Lundy attack, coupled with the recent move by the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors to eliminate its affirmative action programs, has been "detrimental for the education of all African-American students," Scriven said. In order to successfully recruit minority students, the University also should restore funding to out-of-state recruitment efforts, which were cut during the budget crisis, he said.
Despite such concerns, University administrators say they remain confident minority numbers will not greatly suffer.
"Could this affect our admissions?" University Spokesperson Carol Wood said. "I think not if we don't let it. Our job is to convince students that we want them to come here."
Turner added, "I am hoping and praying that [a substantial decrease] does not happen."
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