UB boasts a reputation of diversity and strong international programs. However, some students feel that behind all the talk of diversity, there are lines of division for which no one will take responsibility.
"UB is a little more ethnically and racially divided than I would expect from such a liberal school," said Janet Haigler, a junior nursing major. "You walk into the Student Union and you see the division just by looking at the people grouped at tables."
Eliot Sherman, a senior environmental policy major, said that while there may be some sort of non-hostile separation of students, he felt that the lack of cultural mixing is for the most part self-imposed.
"I don't think there's complete segregation at UB, but I do think people of the same ethnic backgrounds tend to stick together," he said. "They often share cultural and (other) similar interests."
Sherman feels UB provides ample opportunities for students to experience other cultures, or in the case of international students, to assimilate and understand American culture. Nonetheless, ethnic boundaries remain as many students simply refuse to step out of their comfort zone.
Karen King, educational services coordinator at the Intercultural and Diversity Center, agreed that division at UB lies much in the hands of students. According to King, there is some diversity and cultural mixing, but students who share racial or ethnic backgrounds tend to gravitate towards one another naturally.
"There is a fear that too much diversity creates room for segregation," King said. "Having such a diverse school is an asset. How students use it is the problem."
For Haigler, cultural clubs at UB are an important resource, but with some small trade-offs in terms of division.
"These clubs are essential for some students to grasp their identity, but I think there might sometimes be so much comfort in finding such similar people that students fail to branch out," Haigler said.
UB has six club councils, including the People of Color Council, under which cultural and ethnic clubs operate. Haitian SA, Black Student Union, Latin American SA (LASA), PODER, African Student Union, and Caribbean SA are just a few examples of cultural clubs available, according to Sherman.
Students don't need to be the same race in order to participate in a cultural club.
"Just because an organization is dedicated to the culture of one group does not mean that it excludes others," King said.
Sherman said he was certain that a club would not exclude someone that was interested, though it may be intimidating to some students to walk into such an environment.
"We try to be welcoming," said Lauryn Ballesteros, a senior Spanish and international studies major and president of Latin American SA. "Our club has diversity. It is not just composed of people with a Latin American background."
Ballesteros said she was disappointed that some students just assume cultural clubs are another means of segregation. She feels her club does its best not to alienate outsiders. LASA uses free salsa-dancing lessons to welcome new members, especially those that are unacquainted with the culture.
According to Ballesteros, ignorant students cannot hold cultural clubs responsible for dividing UB, especially when those same students give no consideration to joining a club such as hers because they feel it will be too intimidating.
For Daysi Pia Ball, instructional support assistant with Student Life, students that expect intimidation will find it even where it does not exist.
"What you project is what you perceive. If you go into the situation uncomfortable, it's going to be uncomfortable," Ball said.
International student Anand Shankar, a graduate biotechnology major, believes that a support network of friends that understand your situation is essential.
"I live with other international students off campus," he said. "Setting up a place from home is easier if you know someone already here, otherwise it's extremely difficult."
When you factor in language and cultural barriers, assimilation to UB is difficult for international students, Sherman said.
According to Haigler, however, uninterested American students worsen this problem.
"I don't think UB students are necessarily mean toward international students, but I wouldn't call them welcoming either," Haigler said.
Shankar disagreed, saying that his university experience with American students had been, more or less, positive.
"Occasionally there are some inhibitions toward international students on the part of American students," Shankar said. "But I've been welcomed with a considerable amount of generosity and honesty."
Brian Haggerty, a staff associate with University Residence Halls and Apartments, said international students do not come here to separate off into groups, but may find comfort with those of similar cultures when approaching American students turns out to not be easy.
"Our international students have a strong desire to learn English and to understand American culture, but there isn't as much interest on the part of American students to live with and know international students," Haggerty said. "However, there's actually quite a lot of socialization between international students of different cultures."
According to Haggerty, blatant international housing does not exist at UB, though some institutions find it helpful. The grouping of international students within URHA, he insisted, is for good reason.
"We house international freshmen students together just like we house freshmen or athletes together," Haggerty said. "They have the same typical issues and they don't usually return home for breaks so we try to place them in halls that remain open."
Haggerty said that this year, URHA reserved 95 spaces for international students on North Campus and 133 spaces on South Campus. The numbers may not seem too far apart, but they aren't exactly proportionate with the number of students on each campus.
For Haggerty, it only seems natural that some international students would choose South Campus because it accommodates to those that do not return home for breaks.
"It's actually really popular with students because of the grocery store, the plaza, and access to transportation off campus," Haggerty said.
According to Haggerty, even if students truly felt that there appeared to be an overwhelming number of international or minority students on South Campus, they have to remember that some students choose to live there.
"The truth is that 25 percent of students that live on South Campus are return students. They choose to be on Main Street," Haggerty said.
Ball said it's great that students are able to find a niche at such a big university, but that she was concerned some students did not take advantage of all the diversity and opportunities to explore.
"Students seeking their identity are obviously looking for places to fit in, especially at a school so large," Ball said. "But it's really important that they step outside their comfort zone to learn about other people."
