UC Irvine responds to African-American students

UC Irvine officials are vowing to create a more positive environment for African American students, it was reported Monday.

UCI Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Thomas Parham, in disclosing recommendations submitted by a  task force, described what he called the progress made in responding to African American students’ concerns.

Among the responses: development of an African American scholars hall and a Black Resource Center, according to the Los Angeles Times.

The university’s Chancellor Howard Gillman established the Task Force on Ensuring a Positive Climate for the Campus’ African American Community in January.

The group was assembled after several UCI administrators received a letter from the campus’ Black Student Union. The letter’s subject line read “Structural and Institutional Changes” and contained nine demands meant to address “structural deficiencies in institutional support for Black students” in the school.

The task force consisted of UCI professors from various disciplines, undergraduate and graduate students — including two members from the Black Student Union — and other staff members in the school’s academic planning, counseling services and student housing departments.

Recommendations already implemented include an African American scholars and excellence hall in the Arroyo Vista student housing community, according to The Times. A Black Resource Center was also approved. Several sites are being considered for the center’s location and a director will soon be recruited.

—City News Service