Diversity at FSU

An integration statue has been created to honor the first African Americans on campus, but how has FSU changed over the years, and how do they rank in diversification?

A larger than life bronze integration sculpture will soon be unveiled at FSU. It will pay tribute the university's first African American students, but 40 years later, how does the historically white institution stack up?

“I still think we have a long way to go. You can still walk into a class with 500 to 700 people and there only be five blacks,” says Shari Wright, an FSU sophomore.

While that may be true, statistics show another side. One publication ranked FSU third among traditionally white institutions in the number of blacks who graduate with a bachelor's degree and number 10 when HBCU's are added.

Around 4,500 African American students attend FSU, which makes up about 12 percent.

“And that's one of the reasons I came here. I was impressed with the diversity. It’s like a microcosm of what the real world is like,” says Rabiatu Barrie, the black student union president.

January 30, FSU will unveil the integration sculpture as part of the university's Heritage Day celebration. Hundreds of black alumni are expected to attend.

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