#WeAreAllUVA: Socioeconomic Diversity

#WeAreAllUVA

Socioeconomic Diversity

by Wyatt Moorer

Socioeconomic diversity is a large goal among UVA in its admissions process in attracting a diverse class of students. UVA is committed to providing 100% of demonstrated need through its financial aid programs. AccessUVA helps in evaluating family's specific financial needs. Financial aid is provided through a combination of grants, work study, and loans. UVA is consistently ranked in the top three amongst best value public colleges for its efforts with financial aid. For more information about AccessUVA be sure to check out its website here: http://accessuva.virginia.edu/

Hawa Ahmed helps lead a panel for UFUSED at UVa

There are also students groups dedicated to promoting and raising awareness for socioeconomic diversity and how it impacts student's day to day life. For instance, the student group UFUSED at UVA (United For Undergraduate Socioeconomic Diversity) helps advocate for students in need of financial assistance to attend school. Also significant portions of funds in the annual class giving campaigns are donated back to AccessUVA. The University Bookstore is a non-profit as well donating all proceeds to financial aid services. 

#WeAreAllUVa: The Campaign

#WeAreAllUVa

We Are All UVa Campaign

by Hawa Ahmed 

Greetings from beautiful Charlottesville! This post is dedicated to the #WeAreAllUVa campaign, in which my blog series is a namesake.

Created by students, #WeAreAllUVa was done in solidarity with the I, Too, Am Harvard photo campaign. This was a movement to give voices to African-American students at Harvard College. These voices, often unheard, depict stories of racism and strife as the students came of age.The campaign became so popular that the students were invited to a session at the White House.

 #WeAreAllUVa sought to challenge diversity by featuring not only stories of African-American students but of students all across the University's many different multicultural groups. Students, faculty, staff, alumni, prospective students, and even Charlottesville community members shared their experiences. As words cannot do it justice, here are some pictures and links to the #WeAreAllUVa website.

 

 

 

#WeAreAllUVa: LGBTQ

#WeAreAllUVa

LGBTQ Community at U.Va.

By Chelsea Marcelin

Chelsea here, filling in for Hawa this week to talk a bit about some of the diverse groups we have on grounds here at U.Va. Another large part of the University community is the The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Questioning (LGBTQ) community.  There are many ways to get involved in the LGBTQ community here at U.Va. The Queer Student Union (QSU) , for example, provides opportunities for students to hear from guest speakers and participate in social events around grounds and in the Charlottesville community! 

Students can also campaign with Queer and Allied Activism (QuAA) for equality movements and promote awareness and acceptance of members of the LGBTQ community. QuAA focuses mainly to work within the U.Va. and Charlottesville community, students have the opportunity to work at the state, federal, or even international levels on issues that are important to the LGBTQ community.

All student have access to the LGBTQ Center on the first floor of Newcomb Hall at the University. The center provides study spaces, hangout space, and resources for all students, but also has many resources specifically for LGBTQ students that are provided by a handful of student volunteers.

The LGBTQ community has a variety of events throughout the year. One of their largest is their Love is Love T-Shirt campaign, which started in 2009. Each year, students can purchase a red "Love is Love" teeshirt to wear on Valentines day. The event is meant to help bring awareness equality of all relationships (not just sexual, but gender, religious, race, ethnicity, and more) in the community.

The LGBTQ community has many events throughout the semester for students. Proud to be Out Week (PTBOW), for example, is held both in the fall and spring semesters to celebrate members of the LGBTQ community. There are social events, performances, speakers, films, discussions, and much more. There are smaller scale events more regularly as well, including LGBT (Let's Get Brunch Together) on the lawn every week!

Want to check out some of the LGBTQ resources? Here are some links to some!

QSU: http://queeratuva.org/

QuAA: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Queer-Allied-Activism-at-UVA/320977961287288

LGBTQ Center: http://www.virginia.edu/deanofstudents/lgbtq/?page_id=15

LGBTQ Events: http://www.virginia.edu/deanofstudents/lgbtq/?page_id=13

#WeAreAllUVa: Peer Advising Groups

#WeAreAllUVa

Peer Advising Groups

by Hawa Ahmed

The University offers a slew of advising opportunities for first-year students. In addition to an area adviser and academic adviser, first-years have the opportunity to seek peer advising in a number of affinity groups. These students can certainly advise on classes, but more often are older mentors serving as a “Big Brother” or “Big Sister.” Some of these groups have extensive family trees tying all the “sib” pairings together!

Peer Mentoring Program (PMP)

 

 

Close to 6% of students identify as Hispanic and there are 12 Latino-interest organizations. The Peer Mentoring Program, or PMP is the only advising group where upperclassmen advise Latino/Hispanic first-year students. In addition, any student – whether Latino or not – can sign up to be a mentor or mentee! The students are split into several familias, creating smaller communities amongst the sibling pairs.

 

Asian and Pacific-American students comprise of 12% of our student body. Dean Guzman (pictured above), serves as the faculty program coordinator for these students. The Peer Advising Family Network (PAFN) is comprised of upperclassmen that serve as big siblings to first-year Asian/Pacific-American students. Their families are organized as P, A, F or N. Again, all students can sign up to be a member!

Incoming students identifying as Black/African-American automatically become matched with an upperclass peer advisor. Many events throughout the year are catered for advisors and advisees to attend together.

Other groups that have a mentoring system include the Muslim Student Association and Organization of Young Filipino Americans (OYFA).

#WeAreAllUVa: India Day

#WeAreAllUVa

India Day

by Hawa Ahmed

One of the largest cultural affinity groups on Grounds is the Indian Student Association (ISA). The ISA’s mission is “to educate the community on the culture, tradition, religions, and arts of the Indian subcontinent.” Throughout the year, they plan many service and cultural events, culminating with India Day in the spring semester - a grand finale of sorts!

There are performances of the first and fourth-year classes as well as dances from several Indian-interest student groups. Not to mention free Indian food at the end of the evening! mmmm Samosas!

Here are some of the groups featured at India Day:

 

Ektaal, UVa's only South Asian-American a capella group. 

 

HooRaas and Sharaara are two competitive dance teams with Desi and Asian fusion influences, respectively.

#WeAreAllUVa: Religious Affintiy Groups

#WeAreAllUVa

Religious Affinity Groups

by Hawa Ahmed

Here at UVa we pride ourselves in having a student group for every interest, hobby and affinity one could want! Religious affiliation is no different. There are over 40 active groups representing Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Baha’I Faith, as well as atheist and agnostic groups.

Christian Community

Charlottesville has several churches, many of which are within walking distance of grounds! The majority of Protestant denominations are represented- Episcopal, Baptist, etc. as well as Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Coptic and Church of God buildings. There are over 30 student-run Christian groups, ranging from worship, service, social and advising organizations.

Jewish Community

Most do not know that nearly 10% of UVa students identify as Jewish. Brody Jewish Center houses many resources for student groups, providing meals and chances to interact and volunteer with other students. During the Jewish holidays, both Jews and non-Jews are encouraged to come out to dinner services. In addition there is a Jewish fraternity known as Alpha Epsilon Pi or AEPi.

Muslim Community

The Muslim Student Association (MSA) is the primary social and religious outlet for Muslim student on grounds. They offer a great deal of programming as well as service opportunities to engage with the greater Charlottesville community. There is a mosque in the city that often times have services led by University students.

Other Religions

As previously mentioned, other religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, and Baha’i faith are represented amongst the student body. There is an emphasis on collaboration amongst the groups, such as an Inter-faith Dinner and Dialogue that occurs amongst the majority of religious affinity groups.

Introducing: Hawa Ahmed

Introducing: Hawa Ahmed

2014 Office of Admission Summer Intern Bio

Year: Fourth
Hometown: Lancaster, Pennsylvania
School: College of Arts and Sciences
Major(s): Foreign Affairs
Blog: We Are All UVA

I am a rising fourth year in the College of Arts and Sciences. I come from Lancaster, Pennsylvania but am really proud to call Charlottesville home! The city has so much to offer, from nature trails to concerts to really really good food. Living here and attending UVa has opened up so many doors for me- Wahoowa!

Favorite UVA memory...

Some friends and I ran a mud race called Mud Warrior during my first year here. We drove out to Ruckersville and ran through woods and waded through mud-pits - sliding down a huge mud tarp afterwards!

More information and blog posts...

Hawa's Admission Survey

Coming soon!

Hawa's Blog Posts

1. 6/4/2014: Religious Affinity Groups
2. 6/18/2014: India Day
3. 7/17/2014: Peer Advising Groups
4. 7/16/2014: LGBTQ Community at U.Va. (by Chelsea Marcelin)
5. 7/30/2014: The Campaign
6. 8/13/2014: Socioeconomic Diversity (by Wyatt Moorer)