BSU promotes minority presence

Basketball frenzy, the Kelley School of Business and a "Campus Invasion" are all reasons why IU is well known throughout the country. \nBeing a racially diverse institution however, has not been a common bragging right of IU. In fact, only about 10.7 percent of students enrolled at IU in 2001-2002 were African American, American Indian, Hispanic or Asian. \nWhile this number is small, minority presence on campus is still largely felt, and one group is making sure of it.\nThe Black Student Union is a student-run organization whose mission includes promoting "cultural diversity throughout the University and Bloomington community." Additionally, they strive to address the concerns of the African-American student body and provide a forum for discussions. \nJunior Gerald Mitchell joined the BSU his freshman year and took over the presidency this past fall. Mitchell said he believes the BSU is important not only to the African-American community but to all underrepresented groups at IU. He said he is concerned about the minority status at IU and hopes to have a positive effect.\nThe BSU began in the 60's as a result of the pressing issues surrounding the era. It has since grown and remained an important organization committed to improving the minority climate at IU. They host many academic and social activities, both alone and with other student organizations. \nThe BSU has helped to sponsor events such as poetry/rap concerts, Big Brothers Big Sisters events, leadership workshops and a Martin Luther King Jr. Day Unity Summit. The BSU hosts mass meetings once a month and committee meetings once a week. Members can participate as desired but must contribute in some way.\nTimothy Stockton, associate director for Apartment Housing and advisor for the BSU, said that most students involved want to make a difference. \n"BSU has made a difference in their lives, through the people they have met and the opportunity to be heard," Stockton said. \nThere are numerous issues on campus facing African-American students, making the BSU an important outlet, Stockton said.\nSenior Morgan Hudson,the executive director of "South Side BSU," a BSU committee, has been involved with BSU for the past two years. \n"BSU is important to IU because it gives the black student body a voice to speak with and be heard," Hudson said. "It is important to those who are in the organization because it enables students to come together and share concerns while allotting them the chance to affect change."\nMitchell, Stockton and Hudson each emphasized that events hosted by the BSU are open to all students, regardless of skin color. \n"(BSU) would just like the campus to understand that all events and programs are all inclusive, everybody's invited," Mitchell said. "I feel that if this campus is going to make any steps toward diversity, we can't be intimidated by one another."\nTo find out more information on the BSU, check the Web site at php.indiana.edu/~blbsu/ or e-mail Gerald Mitchell at . Events are posted throughout campus.