Last night, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. held a forum entitled "Participation vs. Separation:Reversing the Paradox of Self Segregation" to discuss increasing the diversity in student interactions.
"The purpose of this forum was to create an open discussion and address problems within the University Community," said Anthony Austin, vice-president of Phi Beta Sigma.
According to Natalie Banks, secretary of Sigma Gamma Rho, the concept for the forum was also "sparked" by a column printed in The Cavalier Daily Opinion section Aug. 23 written by Daniel Colbert ("A new direction for the OAAA").
The column criticized the Office of African-American Affairs, saying it did not encourage interaction between black and non-black students. In response to this argument, Banks said "culture exchange can not lie with one culture."
The forum also addressed other issues raised within the article. One such issue concerned the mission of the Office of African-American Affairs, which Colbert argued increases the level of self-segregation within the University.
According to Dion Lewis, assistant dean in the Office of African-American Affairs, the purpose of the OAAA is to "...help African-Americans, who in the past have been disenfranchised in America. The OAAA is specifically for students within the African-American Community at the University."
Lewis said diversity is not the number one issue that the OAAA seeks to address, although he emphasized that it definitely is a large issue.
"The Office of African-American Affairs is a place that provides stability, support, and encouragement to African-American Students," said Fourth-year College student Tomika Ferguson.
Forum participants introduced many proposals to increase diversity at the University which they said they feel is an ongoing challenge.
Tamara Dottin, president of the Black Student Alliance, said social interaction has to start on the individual level and friends of diverse cultures should invite one another to their different events. Various other participants said that stepping outside of "comfort zones" is another significant solution.
Lewis said, "The forum opened up an avenue to continue dialogue and encouraged advancement within the University community."
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