THIS IS SANTA CLARA

No student should have to sacrifice their safety for an education.

[exposingstudentoppression]

I do not identify as LGBTQ, but I felt personally discouraged by the lack of school-sponsored resources for those students. The RCC [Rainbow Resource Center] is an awesome organization, but it can’t just be on students (whose main job is to be a student!) to provide support. Much of the OML staff is overworked; and while they did what they could for LGBTQ students, there is only so much that can be accomplished with limited staffing and resources when so many students from marginalized backgrounds need attention.

2016 alum, do you feel that your full identity is catered to at the University?

[exposingstudentoppression]

I felt that Santa Clara did make an effort to help those from marginalized identity groups, but fell short in some ways.

2016 alum, do you feel that your full identity is catered to at the University?

[exposingstudentoppression]

while the school has a big role to play in shaping its students and should do more (i.e. Unity 4), I found this to be more of a product of individual people's ignorance, and less about SCU specifically.

2016 alum, do you feel that your full identity is catered to at the University?

[exposingstudentoppression]

I mostly encountered people who were kind and thoughtful, but of course, some were not. For example, my time as a student at SCU was the first time I experienced being called a ‘nigger’ or 'watermelon eating monkey.’ The second was a most unwelcome feeling, because it was on an anonymous app, and it alerted me to the fact that students I might be interacting with didn’t respect me, yet I didn’t know who.

2016 alum, have you ever felt unwelcome or unsafe around certain people on Campus?

[exposingstudentoppression]

Unsafe, luckily no. Unwelcome, occasionally.

2016 alum, have you ever felt unwelcome or unsafe around certain people on Campus?

[exposingstudentoppression]

Lack of racial diversity was a big factor for me, especially as a black student with the population of black students being as small as it is.

2016 alum, do you feel that your full identity is catered to at the University?

[exposingstudentoppression]

I thought about leaving my freshman year, largely due to [emphasis on partying, dating and greek life], in addition to dealing with my own health issues. Also, school is expensive! There were times I worried about the pressure I was putting on my family financially.

2016 alum, have you ever considered leaving the University?

[exposingstudentoppression]

My expectations definitely evolved during my time at Santa Clara. I was definitely intellectually challenged at SCU, but I found the environment to be even more socially-centered and less academic than I had initially anticipated. In other words, there was an even greater emphasis on partying, dating, and greek life than I expected. These things aren't inherently bad by any means, but in some ways, as an 18 year old with low self-confidence, few friends, and no greek affiliation, I felt left out initially. That being said, I grew to enjoy my time there when I found groups of people who were friendly and supportive.

2016 alumn, did your initial feelings about and concept of Santa Clara University change after you spent some time on campus?

[exposingstudentoppression]

I felt implicitly unwelcome in greek life initially due to the lack of diversity, but on an individual level I believe most of the students mean well, as do the faculty. However, those are only my experiences, and there were definitely instances I felt frustrated or unsafe on behalf of friends.  This was particularly the case in the context of several instances when black male students I knew personally were stopped by police near campus, though they were SCU affiliated and not involved in any illegal activities.

2016 alum, have you ever felt unwelcome or unsafe on campus?

[exposingstudentoppression]

Lester Deanes and OML are the best!

2016 alum, if you ever have a problem on campus, do have a person or place you can go to get it resolved or advocate for you?

[exposingstudentoppression]

I have several professors who I know look out for me and that gives me quite a bit of comfort.

Sophomore, if you ever have a problem on campus, do have a person or place you can go to get it resolved or advocate for you?

[exposingstudentoppression]

I would not go to any of the off-campus houses without people I know well. If I was alone I would not feel fully safe.

Sophomore, have you ever felt unsafe or unwelcome around campus?

[exposingstudentoppression]

Being a white male, I think so. Despite having a disability, I still possess quite a bit of privilege. People do not look at me and see a marginalized individual.

Sophomore, do you feel that your full identity is catered to at SCU?

[exposingstudentoppression]

Not seriously, but I am constantly reminded how expensive my education is.

Sophomore, have you ever considered leaving the University?

[exposingstudentoppression]

I think so. I came here after only applying to SCU. I felt like Santa Clara was right for me and I think that is still true. However, I was not fully prepared for the fact that many people here have very deep pockets. It's a world I can not relate to.

Sophomore, did your initial feelings about and concept of Santa Clara University change after you spent some time on campus?

[exposingstudentoppression]

In dealing with administration, I believe change can happen at this university. However, it happens at a much slower than I would like. It is not without setbacks and repetitive, hollow rhetoric.

Sophomore

[exposingstudentoppression]

In some cases yes, the Disabilities Resource Office was a huge advocate for me getting my admittance deferred for a year when I found out I needed a kidney transplant after high school graduation. Beyond that, I felt my major advisors were supportive when I reached out to them. When it came to Off-Campus situations I felt there was no one interested in hearing the student perspective.

Student Body President 2015 - 2016, if you ever have a problem on campus, do have a person or place you can go to get it resolved or advocate for you?