Blackburn College prides itself on its student-run work program because it offers students opportunities to practice professionalism and gain work experience while providing students with potential to branch out into the many different areas of work. It gives students a sense of responsibility for what they do because their jobs affect where they live and study. However, there is an ongoing problem with the lack of racial diversity throughout the departments.
Blackburn College is currently working to assess the problem and fix it. While this isn’t a new issue, Provost John McClusky and President John Comerford both said that they noticed the problem last year. Comerford said in an email that he realized, “African American students were significantly over-represented in campus services and dining and hospitality and under-represented in most other departments.” Director of Diversity, Inclusion and Student Success Eda Watts said via email, “The lack of diversity in the work program is something that requires full institutional attention and support … The best possible solutions are found when we all, as a college, work together towards the same goal.”
The work program is trying to make as many changes as they can
McClusky revealed that the work committee is trying to make changes in the hiring process and marketing of opening positions. “Last week,” he said, “the work committee decided that jobs need to be posted for three business days.” The goal behind this is to raise awareness for all jobs and increase every student’s chance to apply. The work committee has also assembled a task force, more focused on the academic department, including Chair of English & Communications Dr. Naomi Crummey, Chair of Religion & Philosophy Dr. Carter Aikin, Chair of Mathematics Dr. Chris Morin and students.
The focus on the issue has increased awareness and improved diversity among the work departments. “Our distribution was much more even this last fall,” Comerford said, “Not yet where we want to be, but much better than the year before.” He attributed this improvement to the work committee.
While representation for students of color has increased in some departments, over-representation in some areas leads to under-representation in other departments. The racial distribution has fluctuated from fall of 2016 to the fall of 2017. The departments that had fair racial representation in 2016 such as the Lumpkin Learning Commons, Admissions and Dining and Hospitality have become over-represented in 2017. Previously, the bookstore was under-represented and is now over-represented. On the other hand, there are departments like Technology Services and Campus Maintenance that were equitably represented, and are now under-represented.
This is not an issue that only affects students of color. Comerford believes that this has been bad for all students. McClusky said the same thing, and went on further to say that it reinforces stereotypes. He explained, “If students don’t see minority, LGBT, Christian, Atheist, or Muslim students in academics, they might think academics is only for ‘this’ type of person.” McClusky also said that students would benefit from tutors in the academics department from all different races and perspectives because it will contribute to “richer conversations.” Even though the numbers are not where Blackburn wants to be at the moment, their dramatic fluctuation proves that the efforts are doing something. With the right hiring changes and continued attention to the issue, these numbers should continue to change until they are balanced.
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