The Black Students Forum, coordinated by the Black Student Union with the help of the Cadena Center opened up an environment for black students on campus to get together and voice their opinions on the issues most critical to them.

The forum held Thursday, Feb. 20 was an arena for black students on campus to feel more connected and become better informed of the campus resources. It shed light on issues many of the students had with the tutoring center, book availability, financial aid and even Campus Safety.

An issue that was consistently brought to attention was the lack of connection students felt with the campus and the lack of awareness many of them had of the resources available to them.

“I came here today to speak my mind and to get answers to the issues I am facing,” said Mister Merryweather, football player.

Merryweather felt that the parking lot needs more monitoring because in the past, people have come and vandalized his car.

Walker Christopher, treasurer of the Black Student Union and a coordinator of the event discussed how some students brought up the lack of emphasis placed on black history in some classes. He also pressed upon the need for the students present at the forum to keep participating in similar activities like attending Black Student Union meetings.

“You talk about support, you talk about networking, you want to know you resources, come so we can give it to you,” Christopher said.

Christopher urged the students to continue to attend BSU meetings, Justin Marsden, the Inter-Club Council Representative for BSU, felt that many of the resource centers on campus could do a better job in providing support to students.

“I think that the counseling center needs to do more outreach. It needs to be more involved with requiring students and helping them get counseling appointments. I feel like trying to get counseling appointments is like pulling teeth,” Marsden said.

Cecilia Arriaza, director of the Cadena Center stressed the importance of networking. She also went over a new annual report that will be conducted by gathering information from different student forums, which will be passed to administration.