African American Student Programs vs. Diversity

 As more student groups scramble to get a share of the diversity pie, is the African American slice shrinking?

A $46,000 annual budget may seem reasonable in these economic times for a campus organization of 1,200 students. But when that student group happens to be African American and other minority groups on the same campus receive just $400 each, someone is likely to object.
Someone did. Last summer, a student senator at the University of North Florida challenged the proposed budget of the African American Student Union, and in the fall UNF's campus court went even further, and voted to dissolve the Black student organization.
Although the campus judiciary later reversed itself, after being advised that it had overstepped its bounds, some members of the student senate continue their fight to get the AASU's budget reduced. They contend that the other minority groups collectively make up 10 percent of the student body — and should be funded accordingly. The reason for the dispute, according to one student senator: equality.
The purported goal of recognizing all minorities and dividing resources equitably at the expense of African Americans is not unique to UNF. The issue just happens to have erupted into enough of a controversy on that campus to garner major media coverage.
"UNF Students Have Culture Clash," the headline read in the Sept. 26, Jacksonville Times-Union, followed by a lengthy story which explained that some members of the student senate wanted to replace the Black organization with a Minority Student Association that would be more inclusive.
LaShawn Woodburn, director of the African American Student Association, called the proposal "a racist idea — putting us all together is like saying, ‘OK, you minorities do your thing.'"
As it turned out, the other minority groups at UNF did not support the umbrella concept, and it was tabled, but only after protest rallies, television cameras and three attorneys weighed in.
Still, it may not be over. The Black student union goes before the student senate on Feb.  11,  to present its budget for next year. Clarey Walker, an African American member of the student senate, says the Black organization "will be requesting even more money for next year."