‘Support us’: Minority students to GVSU
ALLENDALE, Mich. (WOOD) — Students, faculty and community members are working toward making Grand Valley State University more inclusive after many raised concerns about challenges that Black students are facing, including declining retention.
On Tuesday, dozens of people, many without seats, filled the Grand River Room of the Kirkhof Center on GVSU’s campus to express their concerns.
According to data from GVSU’s website, the fall-to-fall retention rate for new undergraduate African American full-time students in 2022 was 54.1%, the lowest of any ethnicity.
During Tuesday’s town hall, most people who spoke claimed GVSU lacks resources for minority students, including program representation and accessibility when it comes to getting help with classes.
Marchers: GVSU needs more resources for Black students
“We love GVSU and that’s why we are here,” said one student. “That’s why we are fighting. We are not trying to leave; we are trying to make it better.”
Some other concerns include the number of students the university accepts onto campus per year, ultimately leading to issues with housing, many people said.
“When I get here, there’s too many students, which feels like a money grab, to have so many students,” said one student.
“Due to overruled freshmen, I couldn’t find housing,” said another person.
Prior to the event, two freshmen said they would like to see change from GVSU.
“They can definitely start teaching teachers just a little bit about their ignorance and how to speak to us as students,” said Jermira McCall. “Definitely have more student events that are for Black people, led by Black people.”
“You want us here and you want our faces for the website so you can show the diversity, do things to keep us here and support us,” said Lauryn Coleman.
During the end of the town hall, President of Grand Valley State University, Philomena V. Mantella, responded to the complaints.
“It is our deep and profound interest to do this with you, not separate from you,” she said. Please understand that, honestly. As we sit in the discomfort of hearing your stories, we understand that that pales to the discomfort of having those stories.”
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