Blog Post 2
Cam McNearney
Dr. Jenkins
PS 101
April 7, 2022
Blog Po0st 2
Kennesaw State University is one of the fastest-growing universities in the state of Georgia. Its current enrollment is around 38,000 students with campuses located in both Marietta and Kennesaw. It is currently making its way up in the polls for being the most racially diverse university in the state of Georgia. About 22% of the 38,000 students are black. This puts that number of black students roughly around 3,860. The only other universities with more diversity are Georgia State and the University of Georgia. Especially with the recent racially motivated events tensions at universities have risen to higher levels as students demand for diversity and inclusion. Kennesaw State University was no exception to this. A lot for students were demanding inclusion. Examples of this are student led groups who were created to make word of the racial issue. They have made it public that the group wants to create an anti-racism education center. Task forces have been assigned to look into ‘racial challenges and opportunities’’ with the statement from their president, Kathy Schwaig, “This task force is comprised of a diverse group of students, faculty and staff who will work with existing structures and newly identified stakeholders to lead KSU toward meaningful change for our community and beyond”.
On campus, this issue has impacted the entire student body. I personally have a friend who is a cheerleader at Kennesaw State University on scholarship. Her cheerleading squad is one of the more diverse groups on campus and has seen how racial issues have affected her teammates. As a mixed raced student, she finds it important to not only be an advocate, but an ally. She takes part in public displays to show her fellow students and sports fans her support to the cause. She has been vocal on social media by demanding a change from the school’s administration. I have used an article by “The Atlanta Journal Constitution” to find even more information about the race issue at Kennesaw State University. Comparing what Caitlin has said to me and how the media reports it I feel that it is safe to say that the media is reporting the true story. Even with a simple google search, you can find incidents that have occurred around the Kennesaw State campus.
As stated previously, Kennesaw State has created a task force to help calm and solve the issue around campus. They will work with existing groups to help overcome obstacles and find new ways to break through the barrier. One of the associate professors of conflict management for Kennesaw State University said” one racial justice initiative the university should pursue is improving pay for Black employees. Black workers make up almost 45% of full-time workers making under $15 per hour but less than 10% of those making over $150,000, she said”. The task force has considered the idea of changing names of buildings around the college that may have a racial past. While these things seem minor, each of them builds a better community for the university’s students and faculty.
Stirgus, Eric. “Kennesaw State Group to Explore 'Racial Challenges and Opportunities'.” Ajc, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 1 July 2020, https://www.ajc.com/news/local-education/kennesaw-state-group-explore-racial-challenges-and-opportunities/S7RGdT4f8d3TNmW8d26yTN/.