Though many new students might find the transition to life at the University stressful, one might expect black students to be particularly apprehensive about coming to the University.
Months after an alleged attack on Student Council President Daisy Lundy, in which the assailant reportedly issued a racial slur, and about 10 months after students attended a fraternity party in blackface, the attitudes of new black students could easily be marked by cynicism or even fear.
Not so, if the reactions of black administrators and students at yesterday's "Harambee" are any indication.
At Harambee, an annual event held yesterday put on by the Office of African American Affairs, which highlights resources for black students, administrators acknowledged the University's racial challenges but said they are optimistic about the years ahead.
African-American Affairs Dean M. Rick Turner said he thought the alleged assault on Lundy had not dampened interest among blacks in the University.
"I don't think it's had a major impact," Turner said.
Sylvia Terry, associate dean of African-American Affairs, said most prospective black students heard from media reports about the sometimes tense racial climate of the previous year, but chose to come to the University nonetheless.
"It's sad that U.Va. is like real life," Terry said. "When you have dreams and goals there are obstacles."
New black students agreed, saying though they were aware of racial troubles at the University, they did not think the problems were worse than in many other schools or would stop them from making the most of their U.Va. experience.
First-year College student Whitney Morgan-Jackson said she knew of the racial climate at the University, but that all universities have troubles with race relations. She added that she thought that, as a pre-law student, the University was academically a great fit for her.
This focus on academics is not unique to Morgan-Jackson. Among public universities, U.Va has the top graduation rate for black students in the country. In spite of whatever racial troubles might arise, Turner said that the University's black students will continue to succeed academically.
"I don't think they're going to let it impact the reasons why they're here," he said.
Second-year College student Mylene Culbreath, a transfer student, also said she was optimistic about her University experience despite any racial problems the University might have.
"It worried me at first," Culbreath said. "If you're going to school down South, it's something you'll deal with."
Students at the event, while acknowledging the existence of some self-segregation, also said they were interacting with students of other races without difficulty.
"A lot of times you see white students together and black students together, but we can still intermingle," Morgan-Jackson said.
Nor are black students on their own at the University. Harambee highlighted support services available to blacks, resources that administrators have supported strongly and effectively.
Moments of racial tension "will happen from time to time," Jackson said. "I still think the University of Virginia is the best place for African-American students."
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