The Black Student Union or BSU, organized the True Colors event Tuesday evening in Foy auditorium where they stimulated dialogue on various topics relating to the
Madison Riggins, director of events committee for BSU, was the lead coordinator of the event. Riggins said the focus of the event was on expanding on cultural climate efforts made by the university.
“While it is a great first step, we wanted to really go a little deeper and see how students are really feeling,” Riggins said. “We want to gauge the cultural climate on campus and give students the opportunity to speak their opinions.”
Students were provided catering while the organizers of the event sent out a survey for the students to fill out. The survey included questions on the students' demographics and other characteristics people identify with.
The survey included three questions in which
Students attending the event were split into groups of around 10 to 20 people in order to have
The small group discussion began with icebreakers and introductions of one another. The facilitators of the discussion went on to provide prompts for further discussion on the answers the students gave in the survey.
The students were asked about their answers on the survey and were allowed to elaborate on why they answered in the manner they did.
President of Black Student Union John Blanding saw the event as an extension of the Critical Conversations speaking series. “This is what True Colors is about, much more intimate, much more real. It gives students the opportunity to know one another and to talk about some light-hearted, and some serious, topics in a closer setting,” Blanding said.
Fall Forum True Colors is the first event of its kind. BSU leaders described the event as similar to one of their general assembly meetings. “It’s larger than general assembly but smaller than Critical Conversations,” Blanding said.
Julia Charles,
“The thing that I really love about this event that BSU put on is that it puts people in conversation that you wouldn’t see in conversation walking down the concourse,” Charles said.
Riggins was pleased with the turnout considering the event took place during the university-designated week for mid-terms.
“I know several people in the audience have multiple tests or assignments. So, the fact that we had over a hundred people show up I think says a lot. RIggins said. "That says that people, students especially, want to have this conversation."
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