yaf logo
yaf logo

The New Guard

University of Nevada Says White Students Can’t Live in Minority Dorm Communities for ‘Safety’ Of Residents

By

New Guard Staff

July 19, 2023

By: Elizabeth Guldimann

Under the guise of “inclusivity,” the University of Nevada Reno (UNR) has implemented segregated dorm communities–telling YAF that white students are not considered to fill spots in “for the safety of student participants.”

According to the UNR website, the school houses three minority-only Living Learning Communities in Great Basin Hall––the Latinx, Indigenous, and Black Scholars. With the school’s website giving vague entry requirements at best, YAF reached out to the school for clarification on any requirements. “In the identity-based communities, for the safety of student participants, it is important only students who hold that identity are considered,” the Executive Director of Residential Life, Housing, and Food Services Dean Kennedy told YAF.

Great Basin Hall does house other students outside of the Living Learning Communities.

However sadly, this isn’t the first divisive initiative taken on by UNR.

Last summer, the school used school funds for a large mural painted supporting BLM. The school also hung Black Lives Matter flags around campus. The Director of the School of the Arts Tamara Scronce lauded that she was proud the project was “fully funded by student programming funds and School of the Arts student art fees.”  In contrast, a “Coffee With A Cop” event last fall was deemed so offensive it prompted a statement from university president Brian Sandoval, and an apology from the university’s police chief.

This situation reflects the larger issue on college campuses–where rampant racism is given higher priority and administrative support than the initiatives of students with opposing views. At a publicly funded institution, students from all backgrounds and all viewpoints should have equal access to facilities, and equal opportunity to have their voices heard.

UPDATE: UNR has provided YAF with an updated statement, claiming that the Black, Latinx, and Indigenous dorm communities are “open to any & all students.” The school claims Dean Kennedt “misspoke” when he originally said that “only students who hold that identity are considered” for “safety.”


Elizabeth Guldimann is a National Journalism Center intern at YAF’s New Guard.

Related Resources

Article

March 15, 2024

The New Guard

YAF Backs Groundbreaking Bill to Safeguard Student Free Speech on Campus

Article

March 14, 2024

The New Guard

MIDDLE SCHOOLERS: Discover American Opportunity at YAF’s Middle School Expedition in Washington, D.C.

Article

March 13, 2024

The New Guard

‘Make Space For Trans Students,’ UIC Demands In Letter to School Community

Get Involved

Become a Member

Chapters

Events & Conferences

Host a Speaker

Campus Activism

Programs

Center for Entrepreneurship

National Journalism Center

Reagan Ranch

Reagan Boyhood Home

Campus Lectures & Activism

Defending Student Rights

Middle School Programs

News & Media

All Media

Articles

Videos

The New Guard

About

About Us

Staff Members

Our Boards

Careers

Financials

Get Involved

Become a Member

Chapters

Events & Conferences

Host a Speaker

Campus Activism

Programs

Center for Entrepreneurship

National Journalism Center

Reagan Ranch

Reagan Boyhood Home

Campus Lectures & Activism

Defending Student Rights

Middle School Programs

News & Issues

All Media

Articles

Videos

The New Guard

About

About Us

Staff Members

Our Boards

Careers

Financials