The vast majority of the student body has been, at some point or another, a first-year student, and has thereby been exposed to numerous programs designed to promote diversity, from Grounds for Discussion to less structured hall and suite discussions in first-year dorms.
As such, the University attempts to portray itself to students as a progressive and protective agent of honor and racial acceptance from the time they arrive on Grounds. Yet in light of a recent reported racially motivated vandalism of fourth-year College student Amey Adkins' car, many students find themselves asking if this community of acceptance and honor portrayed at orientation is the same community in which they live today.
Students expressed varied opinions and experiences relating to race relations at the University and their expectations for the future.
"I really think [the orientation programs are] a good start," first-year College student Qing Wei Kong said. "If people are willing to participate ... you could really learn something."
Other students said they believe the introductory programs are just not enough, in and of themselves.
"I guess they did make me more aware ... but in the skits they just gave us solutions to picture-perfect scenarios," second-year College student Kenneth Hall said. "I don't think real life's like that."
"Real life" at the University has not been anywhere near picture-perfect lately with respect to racial issues, according to many students. Following the Adkins incident and the reaction by the administration, which many students characterized as inadequate, many students said they have been left disillusioned and confused.
"Stuff like this makes you think they're trying, yeah, but they just really don't know how to handle it," second-year College student Janee Nouet-Morales said. "We talked about it so much, but then nothing changes. There's never a concrete solution."
Nouet-Morales also described the severity of instances of racism she has observed at the University.
"And what's worse is this isn't racism like I'm used to," she said. "This isn't some lady holding her purse when a group of black guys get in the same elevator."
By way of evidence, Nouet-Morales pointed to the alleged racially-motivated attack on Daisy Lundy, then-Student Council presidential candidate, on Feb. 26, 2003, and the recent Adkins incident.
"This is open hate," she said angrily. "This is vandalism and beating up some girl in a parking lot because she's running for Student [Council] president. It's like, how can this really be happening here, still, in 2004?"
Some students said they now look to new policies to assuage their fears concerning the broader ideals of honor and acceptance which supposedly govern the University.
Myra Franklin, the Black Student Alliance president, emphasized the necessity to prevent a divergence between what the University stands for and how it really functions as a community. Franklin said she questions the validity of the University's honor and equality rhetoric in the wake of recent events.
"It totally brings [principles of honor] to mind, and it's hard to live by them and believe in them," she said. "I think there are certain administrators who really are trying, who really do care, but for the most part they do not take a stance."
Franklin also addressed student reactions.
"Students are very skeptical because these events aren't new, they aren't random, they've happened over and over again," she said. "It's almost as if this community isn't interested in you personally -- it's difficult to trust in their concern when these things continue to happen and the University doesn't actively back you up as a minority."
Many members of the University community express a renewed desire to work toward concrete solutions as soon as possible, capitalizing on momentum from recent events. Last week the Black Student Alliance formed a "Zero Tolerance for Ignorance" campaign, which attracted hundreds of students to an inaugural "town hall meeting" last week. To spur awareness on Grounds, the group handed out black ribbons in a movement that Franklin said was very effective.
"People e-mailed me all day asking, 'where can I get a black ribbon, where can I get a black ribbon?'" she said. "I believe the University did see the implications behind this event and had no reason to believe that people wouldn't care. Once everyone was made aware of the issue it was obvious that people do care -- people from faculty to low wage employees to students -- everyone wants action. They're so sick of it already, they want something to be done."
The BSA and Diversity Advisory Board, an Honor Committee ad hoc committee, met last week and agreed that the alleged vandalism of Adkins' car violated the values of honor and integrity that govern the University community. In a written recommendation they stressed that "acts of discrimination and acts of hate have no place at the University of Virginia."
The Honor Committee has agreed to endorse their statement, a decision Franklin said she views as extremely positive.
"I'm ecstatic about it," she said. "The Honor Committee is a brand, and it's sad to say that we need a brand to back up our cause, but I commend them for taking it. I think that we're going to be able to do a lot with this and because the Honor Committee, a well-known group that represents the core values of this University, took this up, other historically or majority white organizations will follow their lead."
Franklin said she believes that the Honor Committee's involvement will help incorporate more students into the solution.
"This piece with Honor will help people who may have felt uncomfortable about dealing with it," she said.
Other students from various races said they agree that a direct connection between the Committee and retribution for potential crimes is critical.
"I think it's a good idea to bring the Honor Committee into it," third-year College student Sara Ritter said. "We should have a safe, trusting community where everyone is accepted."
Most students agreed that a deep-rooted issue such as racism will not just fade away. But University students can start by tackling the issue right here at the University. Franklin encouraged everyone at the University to maintain and carry the progress further.
"It's really really stressful dealing with racism during college," she said. "We should have some support. We shouldn't have to be alone. And it's not just a black thing ... it's a U.Va. thing. It's something that affects everyone here, so if you care about this community at all, you are obligated to see this initiative through"
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