The African-American Male Initiative held a Barber Shop Talk on Wednesday to talk about student involvement and conversations on Ohio University’s Athens campus.
The African-American Male Initiative held a Barber Shop Talk on Wednesday to talk about African-American student involvement on Ohio University’s campus, hoping to create a sense of unity.
The student-led discussion revolved mainly around black students interacting with others students on campus, and how the university could encourage creating a more unified campus. OU President Roderick McDavis spoke at the event.
“Ohio University is a very diverse campus, we brought that feel back,” McDavis said. “We still have a ways to go.”
Fewer than 20 students attended the conversation.
McDavis said when he decided to come to OU as an administrator in 2004, there was a sense of clarity to see how he could help OU move upward and forward.
Matthew Carpenter, a junior studying political science, led the discussion with McDavis throughout the night. Carpenter talked about black student retention rates and asked McDavis how the university can promote a sense of unity.
“Let’s create opportunities for us to get to know each other,” McDavis said. “It has to be something you do voluntarily.
McDavis added that when something like that is forced, it will be met with backlash.
“When you bring people together, the natural thing happens,” McDavis said.
The discussion transitioned toward McDavis urging students to get involved in student organizations on campus to try and promote the change they may want to see.
“If we truly have some problems that need to be resolved, then get those ideas to those who can change,” McDavis said.
Carpenter also prompted McDavis to speak on how the university is making education more affordable.
“The university is here to help,” McDavis said. “You keep going to someone until you find someone who can solve the problem.”
McDavis relayed a story about the first test he took at OU as a student and received an F. He said he went to get help and his grade point average improved soon after.
Jamie Patton, the assistant dean of students and co-chair of the initiative group, said he felt empowered by the "realness" of the group and hearing student stories.
“We’re hoping to create smaller groups to build a community,” Patton said.
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Future discussions will surround financial literacy, learning about credit cards and credit scores and relationships with African-American women, Patton said.
“Not all students come from the same background,” Patton said, pointing to the importance of the next few Barber Shop talks.
The event closed with questions the audience had for McDavis. One student asked how black students on campus could support McDavis.
“Every day an African American, male or female, are successful on this campus, you are supporting me,” McDavis said.
@Fair3Julia
JF31103@ohio.edu
