A new diversity, equity, inclusion and justice program arrived on Drake University’s campus this fall along with the new first-year class. The program, called Bulldogs Belong was previously reported on by The Times-Delphic, its goal is to increase retention by providing a network of support for students. But many students, including first-year students, do not know about this new program.

“I haven’t heard much about it,” Lois Mobisa, a first-year student at Drake, said. “I think it [Bulldogs Belong] was briefly mentioned during Welcome [Weekend].”

Terrance Pendleton, associate provost for campus equity and inclusion, said that because this is the first year of the program, many first-year students like Mobisa do not really know much about it or have not fully felt the impacts.

Some first-year students also believe that Drake hasn’t been vocal enough about this program, which has contributed to the lack of knowledge among first-year students.

Kenya Nyoun is a first-year student who believes that her extrovertedness and willingness to ask questions made it easier for her to learn about the program and related DEIJ initiatives at Drake. Nyoun believes that for more introverted students, it would be helpful if Drake was more vocal about its commitment to DEIJ in general.

Despite this perceived lack of communication, Nyoun said that she has felt safe and welcome at Drake. The Bulldogs Belong program aims for students to find their community the moment they step foot on campus. While she has found a community, Nyoun said that she knows other students who look like her have not had the same luck.

“I know many students of color who have not found that network at all,” Nyoun said.

Nyoun also recognized that this issue is not unique to students of color. Mobisa said she believes that Drake being more vocal about the new program and communities will help more students adjust to attending a university that might not be as diverse as they are used to.

“I think it’ll be very helpful for [first-years], especially since we’re new and we’re trying to adjust to college life,” Mobisa said.

Pendleton believes it is important for first-years to find communities at Drake that they belong in. He encouraged students to connect with others by joining multicultural organizations and communities.

“If you don’t find that community you’re looking for, let us know, and let us help you build that community,” Pendleton said. “We’ve worked with other groups of students before who had mentioned that Drake is missing XYZ, and in our office, put that on us and help create that organization or help create that community”

Besides finding a community, some first-year students are also concerned about incidents related to bias, discrimination and prejudice.

Nyoun said that though her extrovertedness made it easy for her to find out who to report such incidents to, she said she believes that many students may be a bit too shy to speak out. She also said that she believes some students feel like they are only seen as the token minority.

“If we’re just seen as [token minorities], those students who maybe might be more shy won’t speak up on the basis of, not even just race, but any discrimination,” Nyoun said.

Mobisa said she believes students have not been properly informed on who to go to in the event of prejudice. She also voiced concern that there are not enough resources for students who may have experienced such incidents.

“Are they able to understand what I’m trying to tell them?” Mobisa asked. “Because I feel [only] a person of color would understand another person of color’s struggles in whatever incident that was, versus a white person who’s being confided in by a person of color.” 

Mobisa said she thought that if such incidents were reported to the right person, they would be handled properly and safely.

Pendleton said he thinks first–year students have done a good job finding resources and advocating for themselves, based on the meetings he has had with them.

“I’m always deeply appreciative of that because we don’t know what we don’t know,” Pendleton said. 

Pendleton encouraged all students to speak with his office in Medbury Hall about any concerns they have concerning DEIJ at Drake.

  “For any student, my office [is] certainly here too to help.” Pendleton said. “The Office of Student Affairs is also here to help.”