February is Black History Month, and in its honor, the Post will run a four-part series profiling four different black student organizations on campus.
The location is a small, cramped office on the third floor of the Union, but what goes on inside has a profound effect on the entire campus, as well as the community at large. Room 375 is home to University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee“s Black Student Union (BSU), an organization that strives to build a community within the school environment and fosters leadership and professional skills through community service and organized events.
Raymond Combs, 21, vice president of membership, is the representative in the office at the time, an office BSU shares with the African Student Association. The atmosphere is low-key: The lights are off and music is playing.
“Anybody is welcome to join,” stressed Combs. “Just because it says “black“ doesn“t mean it“s only for black people.”
Combs said that the organization is trying to build a strong membership of all types of students.
The organization prides itself on the amount of community service it does. BSU is actively involved in neighborhood cleanups as well as doing work for the elderly. (Last semester, it held a “RAK-a-thon,” an event where members raked leaves for the elderly.) In addition to their work with the community, the organization hosts events to raise money for itself as well as for others.
This semester, BSU plans to throw a party in which the admission will be canned goods instead of cash (the food will be donated to a local food pantry).
Raising awareness among students with current health risks is also something BSU strives to do. The organization attempts to raise awareness about preventing AIDS and other STDs as well as meningococcal meningitis (an infection of the fluid surrounding the spinal cord and brain that hits college students).
The Black Student Union encourages all its members to join other student organizations on campus, such as the SA. It is also a good resource for freshmen who are new on campus and want to get involved.
“BSU introduces freshman to other student orgs on campus, like Greek orgs” that are often stereotyped in society, Combs said.
In honor of Black History Month and Valentine“s Day, BSU will be holding Black Love Week (Feb. 12-16) in the Union concourse, said Vice President of Events Denisha Hatchett, 24.
Events include:
Feb. 12: Music dedication culminating in a performance by BSU“s new gospel choir
Feb. 13: Black History Jeopardy, students can quiz themselves on their knowledge of black history and win prizes
Feb. 14: B.O.N, a gathering of all of black student organizations on campus, at which each organization will set up a table to help answer student questions
Feb. 15: Black Health Fair, where health professionals will be on hand to speak to students about free available health care, as well as to give mammograms and HIV tests
Feb. 16: Greek Step and Meet, a gathering of all the black Greek organizations where they can show off their stepping skills. This is the only event not be held in the concourse.
The headliner for the spring semester will be the Black Tie Ball, held in April. This classy event will raise money to help the community and the organization. It will be preceded by etiquette classes to help those setting up and attending learn the proper way to dine and present themselves at a more formal occasion like the Black Tie Ball.
Other planned activities include a trip to the NBSU (National Black Student Union) conference where UWM“s chapter of BSU can meet and work with other chapters of BSU; a charity basketball game against a Black Student Union from another school; and a paintball outing at the end of the semester to help students relax after finals.
Joining BSU is a great way for students to build a repertoire with area businesses, beef up a resume, as well as gain valuable leadership skills. Each year, the organization holds elections for various positions. Those who have completed a set number of community service hours (yet to be determined) are eligible to run. This, said Combs, can also be a great addition to a resume.
Students who wish to be involved with BSU should come to one of their meetings, held weekly on Wednesdays at 2 p.m. and Thursdays at 7 p.m. in the Multicultural Center in the UWM Union.
Members are required to pay dues ($10) each semester, but for the fee, they are rewarded. Members are invited to organization trips, as well as given a reduced entry fee to BSU parties.
The more community service a member does, and the more recognition they get in the organization, the more BSU offers him or her (for example, free admittance to a party instead of reduced price).
Interested parties can also contact Combs at rlcombs@uwm.edu or 517-8539.
