Black Student Union
MISSION STATEMENT
The Black
Student Union works to bring about a greater awareness of black
culture and black presence at the university of Maine by enhancing
the social and intellectual participation of black students within
the university and community at large.
GOALS
-
To provide a
supportive atmosphere to all students of African decent at the
University of Maine
-
To create a
social/educational interaction amongst the diverse black
community and other communities at the University of Maine
-
To create a
cultural exchange within the University of Maine
CONTACT
INFORMATION
President:
NOW RECRUITING!!!
BSU is now
recruiting new members !!!! Membership is open to the entire
student body of the University of Maine.
Maine
African American Community Websites
Black Student Union expands
membership
J. Astra Brinkmann
Maine Campus Article
One of the Black Student Union's newest recruits
is Caucasian student Elonnai Hickok. She is one of
22 members that make up BSU, whose membership
count just a few weeks ago was one.
Gimbala Sankare, president of BSU, was the sole
member and the impetus for rejuvenating student
interest. A first-year student from the Bronx,
Sankare spent three of his past summers at the
Future Teachers Academy, a program offered at the
University of Maine. Over the years, Sankara
became acquainted with Jose L. Cordero III,
Interim Director of the Multicultural Programs at
the Multicultural Center. As Sankare was considering
extracurricular activities on the campus, it came
to his attention through Cordero that BSU was
losing its members and fast, mostly due to
graduation.
"I could have joined the African Student
Association, but BSU wasn't growing, so I decided
to take it," Sankare said.
Sankare's personality is matched for his task.
"People think that I'm a social butterfly,"
Sankare said of his recruitment process. He and
Cordero pass out brochures to prospective and
current members and encourage them to spread the
word.
Initially, Sankare's objective was to recruit 12
new members, but after emceeing at the Midnight
Mosaic, 21 students had joined, six of them
Caucasian and several others Latino.
When asked why he believes interest in BSU was
low, Sankare said, "Everyone thinks that BSU is
just for black students, but that's a
misrepresentation." He cited the commonly mistaken
perception to the '90s, when BSU was recognized
exclusively as an extension for black UMaine
football athletes to express themselves.
"Our goal is to have African American students,
African students and other cultures in BSU so we
can learn from each other," Sankare said.
Sankare also wishes to address the false
impression that BSU would only be active during
February for Black History month. "Almost everyone
expects us to be active [then]. Instead of waiting
until February, BSU plans to have events scheduled
for the whole year."
One of Sankare's reasons to push member
recruitment is BSU's possible attendance of a
conference to inspire and improve organizational
skills. He also hopes that BSU will co-sponsor
activities like the Winter Ball.
Sankare is grateful for Cordero's assistance in
the recruitment process. "Jose's been a support
for me, a real trooper. We sit there for hours
planning activities. I don't know what I'd do
without him," Sankare said.
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