pga

I've heard Denison has had problems with racism. How bad is it? Is it tense on campus? Would anyone really recomend this school to a minority student that is very proud of their heritage?

Whistle Pig

what's your handicap?

Whistle Pig

More seriously, we've not picked up that it's much different than a lot of other places. But that's not a recommendation for a college or a restaurant.

"Come on in! Our chow's no worse than anyplace else!"

Hopeful2012er

I notice that the races tend to stick together -- white people hang out with other white people; blacks with blacks; Asian with Asian; etc.

There's racism, like on most campuses, but have never felt it to have an overbearing presence. Personally, I've never come across a racist person at Denison.

Are you nearby so you can visit and get a feel for yourself?

Whistle Pig

I think Hopeful has said it well. When we've been on campus there's been no apparent tensions. But I did notice that the IM teams, notably hoops, tended to be segregated. But that just may have been the better players desiring to have similar teammates. And it was coincidental that they all happened to be AA. Probably no more than in the NBA.

Esquette

FWIW - from the DU Admissions Apr 5, 2008 press release re the Class of 2012:

"DU's admitted Class of 2012 includes a higher level of ethnic and geographic diversity, as well. Denison received applications from every state and more than 80 foreign countries. Applications from students of color set an all-time record at 636, which represents a remarkable 80-percent increase over the past five years. During the same time period, the university has seen a 29-percent increase in applications from children or grandchildren of alumni, and siblings of current Denison students and alumni."

From DU website on Admissions:

"Total Enrollment - 2,100
44% Men
56% Women
Students of Color - 17%
International Students - 4%
Origin of Students - 48 states, the District of Columbia and 27 countries"

Whistle Pig

another FWIW ... the question was asked of an AA recent grad who is now a Ph.D. student in child development at Tufts, "what's your experience as an AA student @ DU?" She said she never felt any discrimination, never experienced a racist student, and that for her it was a non-issue. She went on to say she "loved" her time at Denison.

this was at an accepted students open house. btw, there was an AA women's gospel group that sang for the students, from all over the country, and THEY WERE NOTHING SHORT OF SPECTACULAR! This group also sang at a memorial held the next day, for a Denison student who'd been killed in an auto accident earlier in the week.

A great many of the students, black, white, in between, other shades were ALL wonderfully friendly, warm, open, willing to talk about any and all subjects and very candid. not all peaches and cream, but impressive that the campus culture encourages openness, thinking, caring for each other, being respectul of your community, etc.

and one final anecdote ... without a doubt THE BEST frozen custard I have ever eaten! A local joint called Whits on the picturesque main drag of a Norman Rockwell styled town. As one alumnus who was speaking to candidates noted, having come to Granville from San Francisco to attend (and is now a Ph.D. student at Michigan), "I could not believe it when I arrived in Granville. It was a town where literally, there is a church on EVERY corner ." And in the main intersection, it's true. 4 churches, each unique and lovely.

one bonus: while our student was staying on campus, we stayed in a local inn that has some of the most beautiful gardens you'll see and will never hear of. but the real attaction? IT'S HAUNTED! My roommate refused to sleep next to the door. I later discovered ghosts have no need for doors.

pga

Thanks for the insight. I'm going to try to visit, but I live all the way across the country so it's hard.

plhdad

pga,

visit as soon as you can. we live in Socal and we waited until the last minute and my D's visit to Denison completely changed her choice of colleges. She had been dead set on Kenyon since Junior year but chose Denison (class of 2011) and has been way happy.