Two weeks after Brandon Smith became an LSU student, he was a member of the Black Student Union’s Executive Board. Two years later, he is leading that executive board as BSU President and is ready to tackle the issues facing LSU’s minority community.
“The BSU is near and dear to my heart; not only for what we aim to achieve, but for what we stand for,” said Smith, a junior in political science. “We have amazing opportunity on this campus, and I plan to maximize that opportunity.”
Smith is looking forward to a year of leading the BSU through commitment to what he believes to be most important: diversity.
“Diversity is one of those irreplaceable components in developing the entire collegiate environment,” said Smith. “Cultural diversity makes our institution stronger; it brings us together. And I believe the BSU has an important role to play.”
First, Smith plans to team up with black faculty and staff members to compel the Office of Academic Affairs to increase diversity among faculty and staff.
“At present, African Americans compose around one percent of the LSU faculty. Something has to be done to increase that percentage,” said Smith.
Andrea Allen, a senior in mass communications said, “I think one of the most pressing issues for the LSU black community is the low number of African American faculty members. In fact, I would like to see more faculty members from any ethnic minority.”
Smith also will attempat to change the actual structure of BSU by holding a constitutional convention Sept. 2, 3 and 4. All black student organizations will be invited to participate in the restructuring of the constitution. Smith hopes the new constitution will more clearly define the role of the BSU on campus among black student organizations.
“I think generally, the constitution is strong now, but needs improvement in clarity and more black student organization input,” Smith said.
Expanding BSU’s relationship with businesses in the Baton Rouge community is an additional goal Smith plans to pursue.
During the summer of 2002, Target gave BSU a $5,000 grant.
“Target was interested in encouraging minority students to consider employee positions with them in the fields of marketing, business and even modeling,” Smith said. “I would like to start some kind of pilot program to encourage other businesses to make similar donations specifically directed to ethnic minorities.”
Smith would also like to develop a relationship between the BSU and issue advocacy groups in Baton Rouge.
“There are many areas we believe are pivotal to empowerment of any ethnic group,” Smith said. Poverty, education and health care are issues Smith thinks are pertinent to the minority community.
He has contacted the head of Louisiana operations for the Children’s Defense fund, which deals with children’s issues including education, labor and crime prevention.
“Much of this is specifically tied to the ethnic minority community because children of an ethnic minority tend to be affected disproportionately,” Smith said.
Increasing BSU’s financial presence on campus is also important to Smith.
“I see the BSU’s financial role as not to fundraise, but to do all we can to get funds directed to the ethnic minority community,” he said. “We will be in constant dialogue with people who care about diversity and multiculturalism.”
Smith said he would like to use renewed financial resources to build a presence within the Baton Rouge community. During the 2002-2003 BSU administration BSU adopted Polk Elementary School and participated in various activities including an Easter egg hunt.
“This year, we hope to do more; to actually get in the classrooms with students to read with them,” Smith said. He also wants the BSU to collaborate on community service projects.
Tomeka Gilbert, a junior in political science, said the preservation of the African American Cultural Center is an important issue the BSU should be concerned with. “I don’t want it to be knocked down,” she said. “It’s too important for the black community.”
Meryn Allen, a senior in nursing, said not many people actually know what the BSU does and that Smith should focus on reaching out to the LSU community. “I know Brandon will accomplish all he’s set out to,” she said. “He is a man of his word. If he says he’ll do it, it will get done.”