The Black Student Union held its general Assembly Meeting Monday, Sept. 16 where they had quite a large itinerary on its hands. This general assembly meeting, called Learning the Ropes, was open to all college students who were interested in learning about the different organizations Auburn has to offer in relation to diversity, leadership, and social interaction. Eight organizations, including the Black Student Union, presented their organization with a brief five minute presentation which touched on the main goals and focuses of each party.
The Auburn University Student Democrats was the first organization to take the floor.
"We like to do a lot of what's called collaborative doctrinism. For example, if there is another organization on campus who is having an event, or that has some sort of mission or something that lines up with our progressive values, we will be happy to help with that group no matter who they may be. We will work with these organizations to make their event successful," said senior Political Science major Sergio Gallardo, President of the Auburn College of Democrats.
Many of the organizations shared the common theme of helping students find their niche within the Auburn community. Organizations such as the Black Graduate and Professional Students, African Student Association, Ilead, and the Involvement Ambassadors all centered around helping students network within the University as well as helping students academically.
" Our goal is to support all students, not just black graduates and professional students through write nights and by giving pointers on what students need to do while in undergrad. We try to support everyone socially in order for students to have outlets away from academics," said Derrick Robinson, the Association Vice President of the Black Graduate and Professional Students.
"This organization was founded four years ago and the intent was to provide incoming international students from Africa with a homebody when they get here because it can be kind of hard to adjust," said senior UNSM major Faith Kashaa, Senior President of the African Student Association.
Other organizations focused on the importance of academics and offered promises of helping their members achieve a high academic standing. The Student National Pharmaceutical Association and the Harold A. Franklin Society stressed the importance of academics and not losing sight of the opportunities pioneered by African Americans years ago.
Harold A. Franklin was the first African American to enroll in Auburn University. The society, named after Franklin, continues to work towards their goal.
"Our main focus is to improve the minority male retention rate, graduate African American students who have a good GPA in hopes of breaking stereotypes put on us," said Aaron Jordan, President of the Harold A. Franklin Society.
The Student National Pharmaceutical Association, like the Harold A. Franklin Society, took aim at stressing the importance of continuing the legacies left by African Americans in the pharmaceutical field.
"We really have seen a decline in the amount of African American pharmacists, as well as in the medical field as a whole. We want to encourage students in this area that it may be tough, but again, you get that warm feeling that you are helping people. If students are discouraged because of the academics or because they don't think they can do it, we are here to say that they can do it and we would really like to help those students," said P3 pharmacist Gabrielle Allen, Service Chair for The Student National Pharmaceutical Association.
In closing, senior marketing major and President of the Black Student Union, Akilah Williams took a moment to describe the goal of the Black Student Union.
"Our goal is to make sure students get everything out of Auburn University. We always hear people talk about THE Auburn experience, but we are here to help students create their own personal Auburn experience," said Williams.
Although students are here to gain a good education, it is important that they get involved with some organization and the Black Student Union's Learning the Ropes general assembly meeting was a reminder that there are organizations at Auburn pertaining to nearly anyone's wants and needs.
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