Readin', 'ritin', and Racism: My UTD Experience So Far

Colleges and Universities A-Z The University of Texas Schools (Other Than Austin
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<p>Greetings, everyone. I figured I'd sign up here to tell my story.</p>

<p>My name is Serge and I am a freshman at UTD. Started in January. I am an Emerging Media and Communication major. I've noticed that since I started attending, the academics have been great. I've learned the material really well and been able to do well on exams and assignments as a result, and I feel I am really learning.</p>

<p>However, that is where the praise stops.</p>

<p>I've been here going on a year and as far as friendship and social success goes, I'm still stuck on square one, grounded like a plane with no fuel. Every time I have tried to join a club or go to events or "get involved" (yeesh I'm sick of hearing that phrase) I get shunned, excluded, and bullied. The horrid treatment seems to be based on three things: racism, homophobia, and classism.</p>

<p>When I approach people and try to socialize with them, I often get ignored and sometimes they even walk away and regroup elsewhere. What they don't know is, I have very good hearing and can hear it when one of them says "think we dumped that (lovely word that begins with N) here"... I've even experienced racism in the Pride club, ironically enough.</p>

<p>Secondly, I often get a lot of people who either have outright hate or ignorant opinions toward gay people like myself. I've had the 'f' word yelled at me numerous times and have had shunning there, also.</p>

<p>And finally, there seems to be a lot of resentment toward people from lower income levels/inner city backgrounds, which ties into the race issue. I constantly get mocked for having less than my peers and have been called "ghetto trash" several times. I may dress in very "street" looking clothes, but I by no means look like a gangster and actually have an IQ that's normal.</p>

<p>When it seems like I have actually made friends, they almost always turn out to be horrible to me, always making sure I feel like less in the group and even bullying me. Frenemies, indeed...</p>

<p>As a result, I am isolated and lonely as all heck on a campus where most others I see have a group they are tight-knit with and run with all the time (save for the high number of hermits, but that's a whole 'nother rant...). It is nigh impossible for me to get the same result, it seems.</p>

<p>Am I alone in these experiences at UTD or have others here had similar problems?</p>

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<p>Time to transfer dude</p>

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<p>Well, I would if there was another viable university in the Metroplex. :stuck_out_tongue: UNT is not accessible via public transit (I don’t drive) and private ones are financially out of the question. I can’t afford to travel out of the region to go elsewhere, or I’d have done it a long time ago.</p>

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<p>Sad…I didn’t think UTD was like this…maybe you just had bad luck? I was thinking of transferring here…anyone else want to comment on this?</p>

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<p>From your post it sounds like you are a commuting student. It is difficult at any school for a commuting student to find a place among students that live in campus housing. Maybe try and find other commuters? Have you thought about UT Arlington?</p>

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<p>@longhorn31
I have friends who go to UTD, and while they say it’s a great school for academics, it’s well known for being a very anti-social, alienating campus. Sure, you can definitely join some fun group activities and meet many interesting people, but if you’re looking for a college-experience, UTD is not the place. If your interested in a lot of partying and socializing; go to to UT.</p>

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<p>@kparker77 - I live on campus. I don’t even have a car–I depend on my bike and DART. That’s what makes this topic so grating–the fact I live on campus and it being so hard for me to find a group to run with like most others around here. UT Arlington is sure as hell out of the question, since that “city” has failed to implement anything resembling public transit.</p>

<p>@lostlightson - I would <em>love</em> to go to UT, but unfortunately it’s not financially viable for me to try and leave the Metroplex.</p>

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<p>Just graduate as fast as possible. There really is nothing you can do…you have done everything. If you can’t leave than try to make the best of it. No place is going to be perfect…but at least you tried the best you could to fit in. Good Luck.</p>

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<p>I’m tempted to call b******t on this. I always find it interesting that when anyone speaks of a negative experience at UT-Dallas, people from UT-Austin are (always) among the first to chime in. </p>

<p>I am a student at UTD, and while I agree that it is not the most socially-involved campus, you will certainly not be mocked for your dress and sexual orientation. Again, what you are saying contradicts itself. The people are socially limited yet take the time to insult you and degrade you? No…at UT-Dallas, we may ignore you…but trust me, the students here are too focused on their grades, jobs and significant others to waste the time it takes to be that ignorant.</p>

<p>At UTD they have a group called “Homage”…the only PRIDE we have is a program to support the training of functioning and applied genomics of blood disorders…(Programs to Increase Diversity among individuals Engaged in health-related research).</p>

<p>My school isn’t perfect but few people here are bold enough to insult others to their faces or at least in close earshot. Outside of the handful of Asian or white guys that try to pretend they are some kind of alpha male…most students I’ve seen lean toward passivity…at least from a social standpoint.</p>

<p>Now I will say that it is a cliquish school. Being black at UT-Dallas means seeing the world they way you will in corporate America; that is, you won’t see many others like you (that aren’t straight from Africa). My advice is to join the black student alliance and perhaps find some professional organizations at school based on your major. Make friends in class…but approach it from a networking perspective. The reality is that unless you are a reasonably attractive heterosexual woman at UT-D, you are not going to have 1,082 friends on Facebook. Even the brothas that I know that are fairly popular, they may be straight but most of their friends are more acquaintances than real hardcore friends. College tends to prevent that from happening unless you are in a frat/sorority at a large state school. </p>

<p>There is something for everyone albeit in different sized amounts…you just have to keep looking.</p>

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<p>@jgn2011</p>

<p>First of all, the GSA at UTD ain’t been called “Homage” since the 90s. [Pride</a> at UTD](<a href=“http://home.prideatutd.org/]Pride”>http://home.prideatutd.org/) </p>

<p>I ain’t gonna be going point by point here, but if you think this is such bunk, perhaps you’d be interested in hearing my story in person. I’d love to talk about it on campus sometime. Perhaps the Comet Cafe or something. Or, alternatively, if you see a short black kid in a gray hoodie and worn jeans, with camera case on belt, on a silver and maroon bike, stop him and greet him, cause that’d be me, heh.</p>

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<p>Serge, I’m really sorry about your situation. It sounds as though your a nice guy having a tough time. I do appreciate you making the following points:</p>

<p>“most others I see have a group they are tight-knit with and run with all the time” </p>

<p>“since I started attending, the academics have been great”</p>

<p>As far as the racism, I’d just like to say that this was not my experience at all. I had friends of all different backgrounds. They exposed me to new foods, traditions and perspectives. I enjoyed the diversity at UTD and it definitely made me more appreciative of others that don’t share my heritage. </p>

<p>Serge, Racism is a major accusation and not to be taken lightly. </p>

<p>Please keep in mind that because Dallas is such a rapidly growing city, many people that are there now weren’t born there. That means that many of them have had to relocate and re-adjust socially at least once. Being able to go somewhere totally new and fit in is a skill. For some it comes more naturally than others. We have all experienced times that we’re in a new setting and we feel alittle awkward. The good thing is that the more you do it, the better you get at it.</p>

<p>By your story, it sounds like this may be the first major move out of your comfort zone. I’ve been there. It’s tough at first. Keep on trying. Visit clubs that make sense (I think there may be a gay/lesbian group on campus). I promise you, compared to other places, UTD is pretty accepting of anyone. Just polish your skills, build your confidence and in time, you’ll find your way to fit in in that and many other new environments. </p>

<p>Good luck my friend.</p>

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<p>I was on this campus and it is completely multicultural. Everyone was friendly and offered to answer any questions.</p>