Abby Everidge
Contributing Writer
The First-Generation Student Organization (FGSO) is hosting Money Matters Week from Feb. 26 to March 3 in an effort to bring light to the issue of class and the difficulties that minority, low-income and first-generation college students face in the United States. There are five days of exciting and informative events that will make up Money Matters Week.
President Maryori Sosa ’20 stated, “We need to encourage authentic discussions and shed light around the topics of identity, class and income at Wooster. I just hope that students …begin dialogue about this on campus, become more aware of the struggles of low-income and first-generation students and come up with ways to tackle the issue of class on campus for the rest of the year and beyond.”
On Monday of Money Matters Week, there will be a screening of the documentary “First Generation” at 6 p.m., followed by a short discussion about the documentary and its themes. The documentary focuses on the struggles of college access for first-generation and low-income students and how these students may impact our nation’s future. The screening and discussion will take place in the Lowry Center from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Feb. 26.
On Tuesday, the FGSO faculty and staff will be hosting a panel titled “The Cost of Resilience” that will discuss community awareness on the issues that first-generation students face at The College of Wooster. This will be a discussion among students, faculty and staff that will include professor of sociology David Orta, professor of biology William Morgan, professor of anthropology Pam Frese, Shadra Smith, dean of the Center for Diversity and Inclusion, and more. “They [the faculty and staff panelists] have already been through the whole experience and were able to be successful in their field so they have a lot of good advice and tips to inspire students,” said Sosa. This panel will take place in the Lean Lecture Room from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on the evening of Feb. 27.
On Wednesday, there will be an open mic night hosted by the Black Student Association (BSA) and Proyecto Latino where individuals will be able to share their personal experiences or start conversations through poetry and spoken word. Everyone is free to participate, but the night will be focused on the stories of minority, low-income and first-generation college students. This discussion is very important for everyone to hear, as it is an existing reality here at The College of Wooster that many students may not be aware of. This event will be held in the BSA lounge in Douglass basement from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
On Thursday, FGSO will host their general assembly meeting and executive board elections. This meeting will consist of a conversation on privilege as well as reflections on the class dynamics and feedback on Money Matters Week. This meeting will take place in the Douglass basement from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on March 1.
On Friday, there will be a Fusion Night party to celebrate the strength and persistence of minority students at The College of Wooster. This party will be hosted by the Black Student Association and the Latinas Unidas. The party will take place in the BSA lounge from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. on the night of March 2.
The purpose of Money Matters Week is to raise awareness about issues that are affecting students right here at The College of Wooster. Vice President Andre Baronov-Torres ’20 stated, “I hope first-generation college students will feel they are not alone, and I hope non-first-generation college students will gain a greater sense of understanding.”