The African American Resource and Cultural Center (AARCC) provides a wide range of support, resources, and programs for students from the African diaspora at UCSC. We foster student engagement—culturally, socially, and academically. Currently African/Black/Caribbean (ABC) students are 3.7 percent of the undergraduate student population of UCSC. We have set strategic goals to reach a critical mass of ABC students and, while these goals are feasible, there is a long road ahead of us to recruit, retain, and ensure an inclusive campus environment where students can thrive.
Based on recent exit survey results, 29 percent of underrepresented students stated their top reasons for withdrawing or taking a leave of absence were “tuition, fees, and books.” As well, one-third of underrepresented students are leaving school because of minimal family support, insufficient financial aid, and a host of other conditions leading to their inability to finish school as intended. How can we work to mitigate these financial hardships?
This Giving Day, the “It Takes A Village!” campaign will provide financial assistance to African/Black/Caribbean students at UCSC. Based on current research, we see larger numbers of students leaving UCSC during their first year of college; therefore, as we unveil this new mechanism of support, we want to target our first-year (including both Frosh and Transfer) students.
Every donation, small or large, can make a distinct impact. Your contribution can make a difference between an ABC student staying enrolled for another quarter, another year, and inadvertently graduating as a Banana Slug. Donate today to the “It Takes A Village!” project because we matter—today, tomorrow, and always. We appreciate you and your time!
Our match of $250 has been met! Thank you for doubling our donation, let's keep it going!
