Fred’s University usually welcomes new students and their parents at super twee alum-hosted parties in tree-lined neighborhoods. These events are sponsored and promoted by the Admissions Office but take place in the lavish homes of Fred’s U alums. An unspoken rule is that these events are hosted by rich white women with the work done by their housekeepers and catering staff.
Colleges view these events as a double win: most of the work and expense is put off on alums, while the school gets to advertise its promise of a ticket to affluent life to incoming students. The events also promote school spirit among alums who are known to give more money if they feel directly involved with their institution.
But a recent book, The Privileged Poor, by Anthony Abraham Jack, argues that ritzy private events can be alienating to students who do not come from privileged backgrounds and/or are in a minority due to their race or ethnicity. Instead of welcoming these students into the community these events highlight differences and become hierarchical displays of privilege which serve to divide and intimidate.
Darius Richardson, a recent Fred’s University alum who had been mistaken for a waiter at an orientation party in a rich white neighborhood, decided to take action. Richardson approached the Admissions Office, described his experience, and offered to host a welcome event at his mother’s apartment in a neglected housing project ten minutes from campus.
On receiving the proposal the Admissions Office closed for an emergency strategy session. Over the following days, Admissions first attempted to recast the proposal as a special BIPOC event, then it argued that the nearby location would be “hard to find,” next it claimed that Fred’s University insurance would not cover the venue.
Finally, the Admissions Office Alumni Coordinator Jenny Wainwright decided to be honest. Breaking generational protocol, she called Richardson on the phone.
“We feel the location would make incoming freshmen feel uncomfortable,” she told Richardson, seemingly reading from a script. “In order to be sensitive to the cultural differences inevitable in a diverse community such as the one we enjoy at Fred’s University, we need to host our events in locations that feel safe to all.”
When Richardson pointed out that a black male incoming freshman had been pulled over by the police on his way to last year’s Freshman Welcome party held in a wealthy white suburb, the Coordinator expressed regret and mentioned that she owned a Black Lives Matter coffee mug.
“However,” she pointed out, “the fact that the area is patrolled ultimately makes it a much safer location than the projects which have been effectively cut off from public services since the city budget crisis last year.”
“This is really an equity and inclusion issue,” Jenny explained. “At our usual venue in the Enchanted Forest Glen neighborhood where Mrs. Arthur Moxley-Bingham hosts the welcome event she has room for 50 cars and has arranged for valet parking. There is also a large garden and a handicap ramp by the service entrance.”
Richardson objected that Fred’s had not admitted any handicapped students this year or the year previous. In fact, Fred’s University did not have a single student or teacher using a wheelchair or otherwise needing a ramp.
At this point, Jenny asked to speak off the record. “It is really a delicate issue. We cannot disappoint Mrs. Arthur Moxley-Bingham.”
“The biggest handicap,” she whispered, “is wealth.”
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