Posted on 03/15/2023 5:41:32 AM PDT by lowbridge
University of South Florida (USF) student Andrew Davis was denied access to the mental health help he sought because he was not part of the black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) community, exclusive emails and documentation obtained by Campus Reform show.
After noticing that none of the "Understanding Self and Others" (USO) group therapy meetings worked with his schedule, Davis asked USF’s counseling center on Oct. 3 of 2022 if he could instead attend the BIPOC meeting since this worked with his schedule.
In the email sent to the counseling center, Davis inquired, “I am interested in attending a USO group meeting after completing the pre-group appointment but the only day/time that works for me is Wednesdays during the BIPOC students-only group. I am not a BIPOC student but was wondering if I would still be able to attend?”
“Unfortunately, we do need to keep this space specific to BIPOC folks ... Hopefully you’ll be able to catch another one either during Winter break and/or next semester," the USF Counseling Center responded to Davis.
After receiving this response, Davis filed a complaint with USF'S Office of Compliance & Ethics on Oct. 5. It was not until Feb. 8 of this year, however, that Davis received a response.
According to Davis, during an Oct. 18 Microsoft Teams information-gathering meeting regarding this issue, Equal Opportunity Officer Kenneth Thomas “was accusatory" and "asked me if I even knew what BIPOC meant and if I understood the importance of those groups having their own discussion."
"He did not seem concerned about my complaint and was more worried about the University's ability to continue these groups," Davis relayed.
When the Office finally issued their official decision on Feb. 8, it read,
(Excerpt) Read more at campusreform.org ...
That’s not really helpful. He’s a college student obviously struggling to find his place which isn’t unusual. He’s trying to make use of school resources to resolve his issues like he’s been taught an adult is supposed to do in 2023. And he’s being discriminated against, told to wait a semester or a year. He’s not doing this for laughs, he’s having an existential crisis and seeking help only to have the door closed to him because he’s white. Some of his issues may even be because of the racist mixed messages from woke culture that cause fear, uncertainty and doubt. There’s no telling what his background is either. Attacking him for trying to get help is as bad as offering it but denying him access to a meeting that fits his schedule because of his skin tone.
Imagine if this person was one of the ‘protected’ races and was denied entry into a ‘White only’ group.
Sounds like DeSantis has more work to do to clean up Florida’s school systems.
Give the guy credit for seeking help. Why should he give up his education? He’s not the problem and quitting is not the solution. The problem is the bias and bigotry practiced at the school. Good for him to challenge it.
It’s very helpful, or would be if tried. The school is completely wrong to restrict these groups on the basis of race, but the student is expecting special accommodations to fit his schedule. Perhaps he should be trying to get a group started at a time that suits him, or if he’s in such a dire situation, perhaps he could modify his own schedule.
Or perhaps he can just deal with life, regardless of what he’s “been taught an adult is supposed to do in 2023.”
Who ever said he had to quit his education? I agree that the school is wrong to practice racial discrimination, but the student has other options.
Was he trolling them? Because the last thing a troubled person needs is to.join a counseling group where he and his kind are considered to be the root of all evil and all problems.
Well, he’ll just have to adjust his schedule so he can attend the White mental health group instead.
There is a White mental health group that helps White students, right?
bkmk
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