Will Fall 2021 bring social justice?

Comfortability for all students is lacking, here is how we should continue forward

Olivia Synek / Opinion Editor / The USD Vista

It is important to feel safe at the college you are attending. During the two years I have attended USD, there were quite a few instances where students have come out and said that they have not felt safe within our community. For good reason, organizations such as the year-old Gender Equity and Sex Positivity Club, commonly known as GESP, challenged USD in hopes to promote change and safety for all students on campus. 

During my first year at USD, there were issues regarding vandalism and discrimination when a student’s dorm was vandalized because they identify as non-binary. During my second year at USD, there were issues regarding assault when a student was sexually assaulted by another student. Even if these actions are not happening to you, you are still not able to take a breather. You may think, ‘Well, what if this happens to me next?’ or ‘Are there students at USD who won’t accept me for me?’. I know these are questions that many students ask themselves.

Even through the thick of the problems, I do believe that USD takes the necessary steps in the right direction – all thanks to the students who promote social justice on campus. I am a tour guide on campus and being in this position sometimes means I get the ‘tough questions.’ People ask about the diversity on our campus, where non-binary students live in dorms, and if Agnostic students are looked down upon. These questions are not only difficult for prospective students to ask, but they are difficult for me to answer and something I wish I did not have to. 

I wish I did not have to answer them because USD should make it more obvious that people of all identities are welcome. USD is trying to grow their diversity, people who identify as non-binary can live where they feel most comfortable, and any religious or non-religious student is welcome. 

Question is, at what point will we see obvious changes within our community? When will it finally become normal for students to feel completely safe from things like discrimination and assault? 

Though only time can tell when change will happen, it is my hope that students and administration at USD will further acknowledge the problems we have as a school and work to promote safety and equity within every aspect of our education.

Something that USD has students complete every year are the “Online Education Requirements.” A recent email informed me that I would have to complete an online course titled “Sexual Assault Prevention Ongoing” and another about “Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging for Students.” These online education courses go in depth with providing modules and quizzes to further college students’ understanding of how to navigate difficult situations. 

While students are happy that we are further being educated on the unsafe aspects of college life, other students, like myself, may be concerned about the dedication people have to completing the requirements. 

It worries me wondering if there are some people who will finish these courses quickly just to simply fulfill a mandatory requirement. Students will have to take these education courses very seriously in order for us to see change on campus. 

Change at USD will happen if two things occur simultaneously: all students commit to making our campus a safer place and USD stays on track with altering and changing previous policies and adding policies to ensure the safety and happiness of students of all identities on campus.

It is important to note that although you may feel comfortable on campus, many other students may not. First off, students and faculty need to check their privilege and acknowledge the different identities and backgrounds we have on campus. It is so important to keep an open mind about everyone’s personal experiences on campus. 

This is why it is imperative to sign petitions that enact impactful change, go to protests, join clubs/organizations, and to complete the online education requirements with no distractions and most importantly, an open-mind. I am interested to see if Fall 2021 will bring change, and hope to see a major decrease in students who feel alienated or unsafe on campus.