on The Cancellation of the Social Justice Residential College
July 7, 2023
On June 29th, 2023 the Supreme Court of the United States of America struck down affirmative action as a means by which colleges and universities can redress historical and contemporary race-based inequalities. That same day, John Bravman – the President of Bucknell University – published a statement to “underscore that Bucknell’s long-standing commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion…is a cherished institutional value.” Later, he writes: “Bucknell remains steadfast in our goal of creating and nurturing a campus community that reflects our society and respects all identities…and will continue to pursue a diverse student body aligned with today’s ruling.”1
For all intents and purposes, Bucknell University has once again fallen astoundingly short of its alleged commitment to expanding equity and inclusion for our campus community.
On June 22nd, 2023, the presumptive 2023-2024 JF’s and SF’s were notified via email of the institutional decision to not offer the Social Justice Residential College theme this upcoming academic year. The rationale provided was that not enough incoming first-year students had enrolled in the residential college to justify offering the theme. This decision was made without the input of students – current or former – and of the Senior Fellows that support the program.
The Social Justice Residential College serves a far greater purpose than simply as a residential college. It has historically functioned as a refuge and third-space for marginalized students on campus, but especially for those who are non-white, queer-identifying, first-generation college students, and working-class. Not only do our Common Hours and Foundation Seminars give space to students to discuss, contrast and compare, and investigate their own experiences, they serve as a bridge for them to build solidarity with and amongst each other, as well as with aligned faculty and staff.
Additionally, the Social Justice Residential College Program enables students to circumvent the flawed and short-sighted housing placement system here at Bucknell and live in a community with students too invested in the mission and vision of the residential college. Specifically, it’s one of the few, if only, ways in which marginalized students can live together during their first-year.
If Bucknell, institutionally, wishes to live-up to its so-called “deep commitment to equitable access and success…for the students in our classrooms today…,” then the Residential College leadership team – and appropriate decision-makers within administration – must see fit to re-evaluate the decision to cancel the Social Justice Residential College for this academic year. Further, to be truly equitable, this re-evaluation must be done collaboratively and in good faith with those most impacted by, and invested in, this decision. Namely, the 2023-2024 Social Justice Junior Fellows and Senior Fellows, as well as alums from last academic year.
In Solidarity,
Ninah Jackson, Class of 2025, SoJo JF from 2022-2023
Nikash Kale, Class of 2025, SoJo JF from 2022-2023
Drew Holm, Class of 2025, SoJo JF from 2022-2023
1Bravman, J. (2023, June 29). June 29, 2023: Statement on affirmative action ruling. Bucknell University. https://www.bucknell.edu/june-29-2023-statement-affirmative-action-ruling