University at Buffalo Hosts Segregated Election Day “Listening Sessions”

University at Buffalo (UB) is preparing its students for the results of the 2020 election by hosting a series of segregated counseling “listening sessions,” dividing students into a “white affinity group” and a “people of color affinity group.” According to the university’s website, UB wants to help students who are “feeling especially stressed by this year’s election.” The sessions, held Wednesday, are sponsored by the Counseling Services department at UB. This follows a trend of segregated trainings that universities across the nation are organizing. YAF recently uncovered two resident assistant trainings at the University of Kentucky and UC Davis which separated white students from minority students. The university did not return YAF’s request for comment in time for publication. UB Young Americans for Freedom chairman Therese Purcell noted her shock with the segregated sessions. “I am disturbed to see my school segregating students based on race,” Purcell told YAF. “I believe open dialogue about issues is essential––unity is not achieved by dividing students by the color of their skin.”