Black Student Union encourages change, new minor

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A new Registered Student Organization wants CMU to create an African American
studies minor and help minority students become involved on campus.

Florida senior Stephen Messam saw the need for a Black Student Union chapter at CMU around a year ago.

“I thought what was lacking was an organization that would do things for change,” he said.

Messam, BSU president, said there were minority groups to discuss issues
and to provide social activities, but none that worked actively to make changes
at Central.

He said the new group will investigate adding a minor degree in African
American studies, provide activities during Homecoming week, create a mentor
program for underclassman, do community service and help recruit high school
students to the university.

Deanna Morris, Benton Harbor senior and BSU vice president, said the group
will give a voice to minorities who didn’t feel included in the Student Government
Association.

“BSU was formed to create a government where the minority students can
feel comfortable and be involved in the political aspect of campus, because
they don’t get that from SGA,” she said.

Messam said having an African American studies program at Central could be used to market the university to minority students.

“Getting the minor is one of our main goals,” he said.

He said other schools in Michigan have the program and that BSU wants
to find out if students at those schools would have come to CMU had a minor
been offered here.

Morris said the group will focus on building its membership this semester
and said their participation during Homecoming week will help get their message
out.

“It’s going to cause a buzz around campus,” Messam said.

He said BSU has activities planned throughout the week to give an alternative
to the regular events, which he said some people might not feel comfortable
participating in.

“Having another alternative may increase the involvement and get the people involved,” Messam said.

Morris said the group plans to start a mentor program for underclassman, especially freshman.

Morris said the upperclassmen would help underclassmen with academic work and that the program may begin early next semester.

Community service will be another thing the group will be involved with.

Messam said nothing specific is planned yet but an activity may occur
around Thanksgiving to help people during the holiday season.

He said during Homecoming week, BSU will announce a Mr. and Mrs. BSU,
who work with Admissions to recruit high school students by giving them the
chance to talk with a real CMU student.

“It will provide someone who can be real with them,” Messam said.

He said all of the members of the group are learning skills, including leadership, networking, programming and communication.

“They’re going to get skills that will help them in life, as well as their
careers, through the work they do with the organization,” Messam said.

He said BSU will work to ensure that college is an enriching experience for the entire student body.

“I’m glad to be seeing people stepping up and being excited about our goals,” he said.

Morris thinks there will be a positive and negative response to the group.

The group’s name might strike people as promoting segregation, but that is not the case, she said.

“This is in no way to discourage the integration of different ethnic backgrounds
on campus, but is for minorities to feel comfortable getting involved on
campus,” Morris said.

He said there are around 55 people active in the organization.

Messam said the group stresses participation and that their motto is “Together we can do it.”

“We can do so much if we work together,” he said.