Wait one minute! Aren’t we supposed to be all about diversity or is diversity a one way street? UCONN is building a new dorm just to provide a “safe space” for black males to bond and talk. Wasn’t the college experience a chance to broaden your horizons and meet new and DIVERSE people? You know, critical thinking and all that, right? It’s kind of offensive to everyone else to provide a special space for black males only

The University of Connecticut is hoping that black males will graduate at a higher rate if they spend more time with one another, and is building a new residence hall to facilitate just that.

The ScHOLA²RS House—which stands for “Scholistic [sic] House Of Leaders who are African American Researchers and Scholars”—”is a scholastic initiative to groom, nurture, and train the next generation of leaders to address grand challenges in society through the promotion of academic success in undergraduate programs at the University of Connecticut and in competitive graduate programs,” the website states.

“It is a space for African American men to come together and validate their experiences that they may have on campus.” Tweet This

“ScHOLA²RS House is a Learning Community designed to support the scholastic efforts of male students who identify as African[-]American/Black through academic and social/emotional support, access to research opportunities, and professional development,” it continues. “The intent of this Learning Community is to increase the retention and persistence of students using educational and social experiences to enhance their academic success at UConn and beyond in graduate and professional school placement.”

“African American males graduate at a lower rate than their peers,” Dr. Erik Hines, Faculty Director for the initiative, told Fox61, noting that African-American males graduated at a rate of only 54 percent last year, compared to 82.5 percent for the campus as a whole.

“It is a space for African American men to, one, come together, and validate their experiences that they may have on campus,” he explained. “Number two, it’s also a space where they can have conversation and also talk with individuals who come from the same background who share the same experience.”

The specialized housing does not—quite—constitute a “segregated” residence, as it is currently optional, much like the “affinity housing” that other schools have put in place to serve as a “safe space” for minority students.

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