• Donald Allen Sarra (CAS’18)

    Donald Allen Sarra (CAS’18) can be reached at dsarra@bu.edu. Profile

Comments & Discussion

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There are 4 comments on POV: Universities Need to Invest in, and Support, Cultural Organizations for Students

  1. I completely agree with the author on BUFSA and joining other similar cultural organizations while at school.

    Diversity is important, access to diverse culture is a joy and something we must celebrate.

    Please continue to encourage students at all levels and let’s get faculty engaged to support this initiative.

    As an Adjunct Professor at BUSHA, I am happy to contribute in anyway I can and be a resource to BUFSA and others interested in protecting the integrity of this wonderful initiative.

    Kindest regards
    Peter

  2. I understand the author’s point; however, the author does not specify what resources and investment are missing from cultural organizations either at BU or across the river. Would love to understand what’s needed.

  3. The author makes so many good points in this article that is really relatable to anyone who has been a part of a cultural organization. Especially for people who have moved far from home to attend college, the change in scenery is a shock that is made better by being surrounded by people who share similar stories and backgrounds to you. I don’t think I would have enjoyed my college years as much as I have without the cultural organization I’m a part of and the people I’ve met along the way. Having a community and people who are so friendly and supportive provides such a great atmosphere to students who don’t feel wholly comfortable at BU yet.

    I, too, think that BU is lacking when promoting cultural organization’s events or message and it is extremely important during these times that they continue to support and fund these clubs so that people have a safe, welcoming space to be.

  4. This article really grounded me. I am currently a student at Boston University who has recently been feeling very unaccomplished. The COVID pandemic struck when I was only a year and a half into college and I felt like I hadn’t achieved anything yet. Being a pre-med student, I knew that the activities and organizations I was part of would define me on my medical school application and nothing stressed me out more. All I had to show was my involvement with BU Fatakada, a cultural Indian garba-raas dance team, and I felt like that was nothing. There have been so many days that I had regretted being a part of this dance team because I felt that I should’ve dedicated my time towards more academic focussed organizations.

    However, after reading your article, I realize how ridiculous I was being. Being a part of this dance team means everything to me. I love being surrounded by people who have had similar experiences growing up, as you mentioned. This team gave me all my closest friends and made me feel like I belong at BU.

    You are right in saying that Universities need to give more credit and give more importance to cultural organizations. This cultural dance team really completed my college experience and I wish I was able to appreciate that sooner. I hope that more people, like me, realize the need to participate in activities that make them happy rather than solely in activities that look good on their resume.

    Thank you for bringing attention to a very important topic.

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