A new study by the Ohio Black Student Association finds that large numbers of Black students at colleges and universities in the state reported negative experiences relating to their race. The project surveyed students at nine public four-year universities and three private universities.
Among the findings were:
- 46% of Black respondents said that their racial identity led to added stress.
- 67% of Black respondents were either unsure or disagreed with the sentiment that their university valued Black students.
- 51% reported feeling like they belong, 30% were unsure, and 19% said they didn’t belong.
- Only 59% of respondents said they would recommend their school to a Black high school senior.
- 17% of Black students experienced a negative interaction with campus police.
- 60% of students, at some point, were worried about their enrollment because of financial aid/money concerns.
- 49% of students were worried about paying back student loans.
- 35% of students stated that they did not receive help from their institution to understand their financial aid packages.
- Only 13% of respondents gave their current institution an “A” grade on how they are doing to support Black students.
- Nearly 25% of students affirmed that there are indeed places that Black students should avoid on campus for their own safety.
Not surprising at all, unfortunately. These are common sentiments felt among Black students as well as a lot of Black staff and faculty.
I did similar research on Black students, staff, and faculty in California, recently. Look for the study entitled, “Black Voices from the Ivory Tower”.
Why would any so-called native born Black American be even remotely surprised with these findings in Ohio when we live in a society that’s inherently racist. As the warrior scholar Dr. Bobby E. Wright (RIP) stated that ‘Black people are the only group in this country who don’t recognize that we’re in a war”. Wake up native born Black American people.