RECENTLY, I went to visit several broters of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. at their chapter's new house on Fontaine Avenue. While I was there, I sat down with a few of their brothers to discuss the issues that surround the social lives of African-American students at the University.
This discussion, as well as my experiences over four years, confirmed to me that there are problems in this realm.
To be sure African-American social life has come a long way since 1955, the year in which Robert Bland became one of the first three African-American undergrads to enroll at the University. Bland and the two other students admitted with him were in hostile territory, taking classes at a university which by and large did not want them there but were under legal pressure to accept them. Forget having a social life -- these three students were trying to get through the day.
Now, African Americans comprise roughly 9 percent of the undergraduate student body (Asian Americans are the largest minority with nearly 11 percent). The Black Fraternal Council governs nine active chapters. There are a number of CIOs that deal exclusively with black issues. But problems and inequities still pervade.
It is necessary to consider whether black social life should be considered as a separate entity unto itself, rather than integrated into the social life of the University at large. What makes the experience of African Americans so unique as to necessitate separatism in the social realm? After all, Asian Americans, as pointed out before, are a larger group than African Americans at the University, yet any strife surrounding their social options does not rise to the surface of public consciousness as quickly as it does for black students.
History plays a role in explaining why the African-American experience is unique at the University. African Americans have not always been welcome. This has resulted in a tighter, more unified group culture. Programs like the Peer Mentorship Program run through the Office of African American Affairs are testament to this fact. There is also something to be said for wanting to socialize with people of common culture and background.
One of the most significant problems facing black social life is a lack of space. Until recently, no black fraternity had a chapter house of their own. Without their own permanent spaces, black fraternities and other groups are forced to find alternative spaces both on and off Grounds.
This is difficult for several reasons. Organizations become beholden to the availability of these alternative locations, and cannot set their own calendars, as can IFC fraternities with respect to throwing their own parties.
Not only is it more difficult for African-American students and groups to find and schedule social space, but when they are able to procure such space, their parties come at a higher price than a fraternity party on Rugby Road.
Renting out a large space for a party at the University is expensive. According to members of black fraternities I have spoken to, renting out an IFC fraternity house costs anywhere from $500 to $800. Non-fraternity social space can run as high as $2,500. Add on a DJ, food and beverages, and the cost of an event can well exceed $3,000. In comparison, a party by an IFC fraternity at their own house rarely exceeds $1,000.
Black fraternities and organizations holding parties off Grounds must also arrange for police security. For a recent party, Alpha Phi Alpha was required by the Black Fraternal Council to have four police officers (contrast that with IFC "Party Patrol") present for the duration of their event, each being paid $15 an hour.
Looking institutionally, there are several things that can be done to improve the quality of African-American social life.
For one, more BFC chapters need to pursue the renting or purchasing of their own houses. Moreover, the BFC should opt into the same Party Patrol system that the IFC uses. Not only would it reduce the cost their member fraternities incur for social functions, but it would also eliminate the intimidating police presence.
For their part, the IFC should repeal their restrictive rules regarding the renting of fraternity houses for social functions to certain groups. If a chapter wants to take on the added risk and liability of renting out their house, that should be their choice to make, not the IFC's.
Problems in African-American social life at the University run deeper than the institutional, but this would be a good place to start making changes.
Jim Prosser's column appears Tuesdays in The Cavalier Daily. He can be reached at jprosser@cavalierdaily.com.
Read More
PATEL: Personal development courses support students beyond the gradebook
By Heer Patel | 3 days agoThe University must rethink its approach to education beyond traditional major-specific requirements and mandate personal development courses.
EDITORIAL: Commercialization threatens U.Va.’s educational mission
By Editorial Board | 4 days agoAfter all, measuring the University’s worth in terms of accrued capital, operational efficiency and numerical rankings molds this space into just another cookie-cutter institution.
YOUNIS: Why every U.Va. student should say yes to English
By Ayat Younis | January 9, 2025Every student at the University, regardless of their primary field of study, can professionally and academically benefit from engaging with the English department.
