Students Organize First Black Student Union on Campus

It’s not everyday that Pitt-Greensburg gets a new club or organization on campus, but this semester welcomes the Black Student Union (BSU). 

Students who shared the goal of unifying, educating, and supporting the Black student body created the BSU.  

Precious Jackson, vice president of the BSU, spoke of the value that the BSU will bring to campus. 

“Myself and four other students seen a rise in diversity at Pitt-Greensburg,” she said. “We recognized all of our experiences at Pitt-Greensburg could have been elevated in many ways, had there been a BSU.”  

The Black Student Union hopes to host one event per month, and these events will fall under general umbrella terms: politics, education, social movements, and Black culture. Look for events in March and April.   

So far, the BSU has 20 members and a seven-part executive board, which Troy Ross advises. 

Jackson also commented on the reasons that the BSU has not been started in the past. 

“The organization has been commonly spoken of amongst peers,” she said. “The desire has always been there. It took the confidence and drive to put BSU in motion.”  

They branched from the Diversity Student Coalition (DSC) and a panel they held in the Fall of 2019. It was here that the Black student body felt they had a place to speak and realized there was a desire for a space of their own.  

They hope to become established as a long-standing organization on campus.  

“Pitt-Greensburg is a world within another, and the world becomes better with a constant positive change,” Jackson said. “We want generations of people to come in and enjoy their college community. … BSU may be specific to the Black student body, but a more inclusive community is a positive change for all.” 

The BSU meets on Tuesdays at 6 p.m. in Fireside Lounge.