Out of the Shadow

by Amanda Gershberg

News Reporter

The Associated Students of Madison welcomed 50 high school students Friday to promote campus diversity during the second annual Shadow Day.

Those who identify as students of color and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Transgender young adults from Madison, Milwaukee, Beloit and Janesville shadowed college undergraduates of similar backgrounds to allow them to experience higher education options.

Ted Koehler, chairperson of ASM’s Diversity Committee and coordinator of Shadow Day, commented on the lack of help and support that participating high school students face when considering college.

“It’s important for these kids to know that there is a college and environment for them; even if it’s not here, they should pursue it,” Koehler said. “Higher education is a way to get ahead, and by encouraging a lot of these kids to pursue these options, it motivates them to take initiatives to make their lives better.”

Koehler commented on the success of both Shadow Days, but expressed disappointment in ASM’s rocky start getting Shadow Day off the ground in 2002.

“The Vice Chancellor and Chancellor Wiley cancelled [Shadow Day] because of the inclusion of LGBT students,” Koehler said. “They thought it would create a ‘firestorm of controversy’ with their rich and conservative alumni and professors.”

Student responses, however, drove Wiley to reconsider and refund the event just a few days before the set date, Koehler said. ASM decided to prepare the first Shadow Day for April 2003.

Friday morning, high school participants attended classes and toured the UW campus and Madison hotspots with their college mentors. Following lunch at the Union, shadows went to a college admissions process workshop. Financial aid and college essay writing workshops were also given in both English and Spanish.

High school students participating expressed enjoyment about their day in the life of college undergraduates. Alciro Deacon, a Bayview High School junior, said that although there was less diversity at UW than he expected, it was still a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere.

Two girls attending Madison West High School marveled at their exciting day, which was topped off when they “got married” at Sex Out Loud’s Sexual Health Festival in Library Mall.

“I went into a business class, and all of the students and even the TA were really nice and friendly,” Madison West junior Dak Lam Fung said.

Undergraduate volunteers also exclaimed the importance of Shadow Day.

“I thought it would be a great opportunity to share why I love Madison and why I am so glad to come to school here and hopefully encourage them,” UW junior and ASM member Marissa Courey said.

UW senior Roberto Paredes stated she thinks many students consider college unattainable.

“Some people are as intelligent as the next, but don’t have options open,” Paredes said. “[Shadow Day] provides them an opportunity to create a more realistic goal of college.”

John Lucas, UW spokesman for student affairs, recognized the “climate issues” on campus and said he felt Shadow Day is a great way to help underrepresented high school students feel welcome at UW.

“You need to come visit to get an accurate picture of what life is like,” Lucas said. “After meeting with a student who is here and dealing with these issues, you might find that the reality isn’t necessarily the perception, and it may make you want to come here more and will definitely inform your decision better.”