Cal State Monterey Bay (CSUMB) students were invited to a Social Injustices in Education seminar to participate in a discussion about the injustices that students face due to their race, ethnicity and economic challenges.
The seminar’s goal was to bring awareness regarding the social injustices in education and the challenges that students face while pursuing a degree.
Hosted by the Otter Cross Cultural Center (OC3), facilitators Ayda Ortega and Saba Shah gave presentations fostering audience participation and sparking conversations on all things about a student’s life and the challenges they face either in class, on campus or through commuting.
Ortega led the discussion regarding hardships that student-commuters face such as gas prices, transit and time conflicts. She suggested the need for changes such as schedule changes to keep on-campus libraries open longer.
Students were prompted to engage in the conversation in an attempt to come up with solutions.
“When would be a good opening time [for the library] and closing time? Keeping employees in mind?” asked a student from the audience.
Participants were welcome to share their own stories as OC3 facilitators were looking to hear from students with experience. “Over your time at CSUMB, how has taking public transit looked for you?” asked OC3 Director Rudy Medina.
Presenter Saba Shah, led the next discussion focusing on the injustices that students face due to their race, ethnicity and economic standing. Touching on topics like systematic discrimination in education and social justice in the classroom.
“Have you witnessed yourself [or] someone else experience social injustice in your [or] their educational journey?” asked Shah. Students then shared their experiences with the topic, discussing microaggressions and racism, and even broadening the subject to injustices in the realm of ableism in education.
Overall, presenters Ortega and Shah facilitated a conversation with around 15 participants aimed at raising awareness and finding solutions for challenges faced by students.