DIY History | Transcribe | Campus Culture | University of Iowa Committee on Human Rights policies, 1958-1986 | 1968-11-15 University Human Rights Committee to President Howard Bowen Page 12

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University of Iowa Committee on Human Rights policies, 1958-1986

1968-11-15 University Human Rights Committee to President Howard Bowen Page 12

-12-

"In a psychological sense we all have a need to be wanted and accepted. The needs of culturally deprived students in a University will indeed be great. They will no longer be in a familiar environmental setting. As a matter of fact they will probably be in the most foreign environment they have encountered in their lifetime. The need to have a place to congregate is certainly apparent. Most any sort of room could serve as a center for socially deprived kids. This would allow a central location for tutorial service, counseling service, and a general contact point or the youngsters. This would provide a social gathering spot as well as a place for academic and personal assistance. A physical spot on campus seems a necessity in light of our experience with Upward Bound students. The feeling of togetherness created by such a center will help overcome the otherwise foreign element of this new environment. It will allow for development of friends from like circumstances as well as allowing for the development of friends in the regular University setting provided through the dormitory housing and attendance in regular classes. 
   "At least one full-time counselor should be assigned to the center for this group of students. Among the larger changes necessary to allow culturally deprived kids to change their image is the need to discuss goals and values with someone in a completely free and non-threatening environment, as many of these students have been told in a number of ways that they are no good, unworthy, or some such colloquialism. At any rate they need to be reinforced in a positive image building way. A counselor being available at the students beck and call, could certainly assist a student attempting to change his mental image of himself to a very positive one... Counselors should be available also to assist students with personal problems which may pertain to adjusting to the University, family difficulties, etc. Again this a person students may talk with concerning the many difficulties they are encountering."

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-12- "In a psychological sense we all have a need to be wanted and accepted. The needs of culturally deprived students in a University will indeed be great. They will no longer be in a familiar environmental setting. As a matter of fact they will probably be in the most foreign environment they have encountered in their lifetime. The need to have a place to congregate is certainly apparent. Most any sort of room could serve as a center for socially deprived kids. This would allow a central location for tutorial service, counseling service, and a general contact point or the youngsters. This would provide a social gathering spot as well as a place for academic and personal assistance. A physical spot on campus seems a necessity in light of our experience with Upward Bound students. The feeling of togetherness created by such a center will help overcome the otherwise foreign element of this new environment. It will allow for development of friends from like circumstances as well as allowing for the development of friends in the regular University setting provided through the dormitory housing and attendance in regular classes. "At least one full-time counselor should be assigned to the center for this group of students. Among the larger changes necessary to allow culturally deprived kids to change their image is the need to discuss goals and values with someone in a completely free and non-threatening environment, as many of these students have been told in a number of ways that they are no good, unworthy, or some such colloquialism. At any rate they need to be reinforced in a positive image building way. A counselor being available at the students beck and call, could certainly assist a student attempting to change his mental image of himself to a very positive one... Counselors should be available also to assist students with personal problems which may pertain to adjusting to the University, family difficulties, etc. Again this a person students may talk with concerning the many difficulties they are encountering."