Black leaders concerned with drop in enrollment figures

For senior D'Anna Wade, potentially having to change the slogan on a T-shirt carries more weight than a simple phone call to the printing company. \nThe slogan "representing the 3.8%" might no longer be an accurate representation of IU's black population. Recent figures released by IU show that the number of black freshmen in this year's class is 345, down from last year's 412. This year's percentage of minority students won't be calculated until the end of 2007 school year.\nWade, president of the Black Student Union, and other black leaders on campus have expressed concern over the decline and are encouraging the University to do more.\n"The black students on this campus have a critical mass, but it's so low that the University needs to step in and do something," Wade said. "It's kind of sad that I might have to call in and get these T-shirt orders changed." \nDespite this year's declining numbers, last year marked the highest black student enrollment that IU has ever seen. \n"As a whole, you have to look at multi-year trends rather than focusing on any single year when it comes to enrollment numbers," said Dean of Students Dick McKaig. "You can get one fluctuation in one year that might be a result of whole number of variables that don't necessarily speak to a shortcoming or success of the University." \nWade and others at the BSU have made it a priority this academic year to address the administration about the issues of waning enrollment and low retention rates among black students. \nThere are already various existing programs at IU that work to promote diversity in the contexts of student recruitment and enrollment, and Wade said the BSU aims to work with the administration to create better programs to facilitate retention. The group recently authored a letter to Charlie Nelms, vice president for student development and diversity, addressing the issue and requesting an "open dialogue with Indiana University administration" to discuss the BSU's "evolving role in future retention and recruitment efforts," according to the letter. \n"About one-third of black students who come here actually graduate," said senior Jared Dawson, a member of the BSU's executive council. "That's a bigger issue than the number of students who enroll here. There are good programs for getting students here; there have to be some efforts put forward to make sure that they are graduating." \nWade theorizes that the low retention rates are directly proportional to black student involvement on campus. She said she hopes that with the help of both the administration and support from the entire campus, black students can become better connected and involved and as a result be less likely to drop out. \n"It's going to take more than just black people or just certain administrators to make this place more diverse," she said. "We all have to work together on this because it affects everyone on campus." \nThe BSU has ideas for solutions to the problems at hand beyond talking to administrators. In its recent mass meeting, members discussed taking part in mentoring programs for both IU students and high school students. They also talked about traveling to underprivileged areas in the state to talk with school boards to bring attention to the issues in higher education that black students face. \n"I know it starts with education," Dawson said. "It starts with being able to provide a dream for those minorities in these lower economic areas. You have to provide vision and inspiration for these students so they can start thinking about going to college." \nHudson-Holland Scholars Program, Groups Support Services and the Upward Bound Project are all examples of campus programs that help bring in minority students. They recruit students, provide financial aid and offer advising and support services to those in need. The Office of Academic Support and Diversity has also paved the way for more minority students to come to IU. The office has been working with the top administrators to create additional programs and initiatives that will help surge minority enrollment. Recently, Nelms presented a comprehensive set of proposals to the board of trustees that would provide opportunities for incoming minority students and others to be prepared for IU's standards, McKaig said. \nWade said despite black students making up a relatively small portion of the campus, it should remain a focus of the University to pay attention to their needs and concerns. \n"It's not just two or three students concerned; it's 2,000 students that are concerned," Wade said. "We're here. Even though we have small numbers, we have a large voice"