With the semester in full
swing and midterms quickly
approaching, the Black
Student Union (BSU) is busy
hosting fundraisers and promoting
educational awareness
at many social and educational
activities.
According to the Bucks
website, the purpose of the
club is to “provide a positive
support unit for African-
American students here at
Bucks, and serve as a cultural,
educational and social
resource for the college. To
promote, plan and integrate
school and community activities
that stimulate intellectual,
social and moral growth of
the African-American community
at Bucks.”
However, that description
may be outdated. The current
racial/ethnic makeup of the
club is diverse, and all races
are welcome to join. In fact,
the BSU is considering a
name change that would better
reflect the diversity of its
members.
There is also a diversity of
ages in the club. Its members
range from teenagers to
adults in their 50s. Students
of all ages are encouraged to
join.
Gayle Evans, one of the
club’s advisers, said the
direction of the club is geared
not just toward social purposes,
but toward educational
purposes as well, such as raising
awareness of issues
affecting different races.
According to medicalnewstoday.
com, African-
Americans are more likely
than others to have higher
levels of two hormones that
regulate blood pressure levels
called angiotensin and renin.
High blood pressure, stroke
and diabetes are maladies
that minorities are particularly
at risk for.
In February, Dr. Matarese
of the stroke center at St.
Mary’s Hospital will be coming
to Bucks to do a presentation
on stroke awareness. All
are welcome to attend.
In addition to hosting
Matarese, the BSU will hopefully
be cosponsoring a program
with the Women’s
Center in support of Black
History Month, which is also
in February.
Currently, the BSU is
cosponsoring a kosher cookie
sale with another on-campus
club, the Faith, Hope and
Charity club. The proceeds of
this fundraiser will go to a
charity yet to be announced.
Cookies can be purchased
from Marc Johnson, club
adviser, in Rollins room 16.
The sale is running through
the end of October.
Johnson said the BSU is
always happy to work with
other clubs and organizations
to do joint activities.
The BSU is also hoping to
hold a cultural food event in
the near future. The event
will encompass foods from all
ethnic backgrounds and cultures.
In September, they cosponsored
a discussion on race
with the NAACP of Bucks
County. According to its
website, the mission of the
NAACP is “to ensure the
political, educational, social
and economic equality of
rights of all persons and to
eliminate racial hatred and
racial discrimination.”
Anyone is welcome to join
the BSU, regardless of age or
race. Meetings are usually
held every other Thursday in
Rollins room 16. Anyone
interested in joining the club
or receiving more information
should contact either
Gayle Evans in Rollins room
22 or Marc Johnson in Rollins
room 16.