Topic: TWTP
Reactions To Don't Water Down TWTP
In the spirit of free-flowing dialogue, please feel free to enter your thoughts about the opinion written in the Boldly Black section, by Makini Chisholm-Straker. Your thoughts on TWTP are essential to build dialogue around this issue. To get things started, we've posted an email thread from some Brown Alums of the 80's that contains reactions to Ms. Chisholm-Straker's article.
Re: Don't Water Down TWTP
I am forwarding an email that I received from Makini Chisholm-Straker that may be of interest in regards to Third World Transition Program.
Also, the next general meeting of the Philadelphia IPC will be on Friday, July 11th at 6:30 pm. Carolyn Jones will host the meeting. The address is Booz Allen Hamilton, 1818 Market Street, 27th floor.
The meeting agenda will include TWTP, planning of the Welcome to Brown Barbecue in August and Fall and Winter activities. Please send me any additional agenda topics you would like me to include.
Thierry Fortune
'84
Also, the next general meeting of the Philadelphia IPC will be on Friday, July 11th at 6:30 pm. Carolyn Jones will host the meeting. The address is Booz Allen Hamilton, 1818 Market Street, 27th floor.
The meeting agenda will include TWTP, planning of the Welcome to Brown Barbecue in August and Fall and Winter activities. Please send me any additional agenda topics you would like me to include.
Thierry Fortune
'84
Re: Don't Water Down TWTP
Richard/Roland:
You guys probably saw the TWTP email but just in case I am forwarding it on. I will also send to the Philadelphia IPC.
Thierry Fortune
You guys probably saw the TWTP email but just in case I am forwarding it on. I will also send to the Philadelphia IPC.
Thierry Fortune
Re: Don't Water Down TWTP
Don't mean to 'rain' on anyone's parade but what I understand-- from conversations over the past few years with a few students-- is TWTP--as we knew it.... doesn't really exist anymore. This is not because of changes to the program--involving white students or 'competing' organizations but the Black students themselves.
It seems--over time, the "need" for a TWTP as we knew it.... has simply eroded. This may go to an 'assertion' I made awhile ago--about the 'type' of Black students the University admits these days. If I recall correctly, 'quite a few' Black students simply didn't attend TWTP.........weren't interested in being MPC's.
Is it possible, over the years, the University is simply 'taking cues' from the student body?
Roland, if I've misrepresented the conversations we've had over the years with student--feel free to 'correct' my perceptions.
As I think if TWTP (as a former MPC and co-chair).......the program was designed to 'facilitate' the transition of students of color into a predominately white University. If the majority of students of color who enter the University today--are from backgrounds that are predominately white-- where does the "need" for a TWTP exist?
If the program needs to change to reflect a changing University........is that a different discussion?
Hayward Vereen '88
It seems--over time, the "need" for a TWTP as we knew it.... has simply eroded. This may go to an 'assertion' I made awhile ago--about the 'type' of Black students the University admits these days. If I recall correctly, 'quite a few' Black students simply didn't attend TWTP.........weren't interested in being MPC's.
Is it possible, over the years, the University is simply 'taking cues' from the student body?
Roland, if I've misrepresented the conversations we've had over the years with student--feel free to 'correct' my perceptions.
As I think if TWTP (as a former MPC and co-chair).......the program was designed to 'facilitate' the transition of students of color into a predominately white University. If the majority of students of color who enter the University today--are from backgrounds that are predominately white-- where does the "need" for a TWTP exist?
If the program needs to change to reflect a changing University........is that a different discussion?
Hayward Vereen '88
Re: Don't Water Down TWTP
Hayward,
I don't think you've misrepresented.
I just don't ever remember having specific conversations with students about TWTP. I do remember an issue revolving around the MPC program though.
Obviously, based on the passion in the email, there are some undergrads that care about TWTP.
Personally, I tend to shy away from these debates revolving around the types of Black students that are admitted. Not because it's not a valuable conversation, but because "generational" issues always come packed with "back in my day" analogies that become harder to confirm.
I mean I hear lots of folks talk about how it was when we were on campus. Some people loved OUAP. I thought it was a wack organization. Now I did enjoy TWTP(TWTW when I was there), but I can't say it was instrumental to my stay at Brown. Others think it was the best thing since sliced bread.
Saying all that, I do admire Makin's passion, and do want to help her in anyway I can.
Roland Laird '82
I don't think you've misrepresented.
I just don't ever remember having specific conversations with students about TWTP. I do remember an issue revolving around the MPC program though.
Obviously, based on the passion in the email, there are some undergrads that care about TWTP.
Personally, I tend to shy away from these debates revolving around the types of Black students that are admitted. Not because it's not a valuable conversation, but because "generational" issues always come packed with "back in my day" analogies that become harder to confirm.
I mean I hear lots of folks talk about how it was when we were on campus. Some people loved OUAP. I thought it was a wack organization. Now I did enjoy TWTP(TWTW when I was there), but I can't say it was instrumental to my stay at Brown. Others think it was the best thing since sliced bread.
Saying all that, I do admire Makin's passion, and do want to help her in anyway I can.
Roland Laird '82
Re: Don't Water Down TWTP
I would never suggest anyone not do something--they wanted to. Provide whatever assistance you deem necessary.
It doesn't surprise me-- TWTP wasn't a "pivotal" experience for you. If you went to HS in an "integrated" environment-- going to Brown wasn't a major change for you.
Whereas I--for example-- went to a HS that was 90% Black/Hispanic-- going to Brown was a major 'transition' for me. You can imagine what 'transitional' impact TWTP would have on someone who went to a private school or a boarding school.
This kinda reminds me of the "Jena 6" situation--in the sense there were issues that needed addressing... but there was information that people needed also.
Hayward Vereen '88
It doesn't surprise me-- TWTP wasn't a "pivotal" experience for you. If you went to HS in an "integrated" environment-- going to Brown wasn't a major change for you.
Whereas I--for example-- went to a HS that was 90% Black/Hispanic-- going to Brown was a major 'transition' for me. You can imagine what 'transitional' impact TWTP would have on someone who went to a private school or a boarding school.
This kinda reminds me of the "Jena 6" situation--in the sense there were issues that needed addressing... but there was information that people needed also.
Hayward Vereen '88
Re: Don't Water Down TWTP
Rol: I hear you bro but there is, based on empirical data, a significant change in the formal make up of the minority part of the student body relating to the recruitment of students of color at Brown University. And the change is significant! Way less African-American students and this is being done across the Ivies! At any rate thats another discussion for another day. I agree, if there is an issue, that we as alumni of color should support whatever is being done to "correct" this egregious problem.--
Troy Wilson '83
Troy Wilson '83
Re: Don't Water Down TWTP
The opinion listed as fact here under “Hot Topics” and on at least one TW listserv has reached many people very quickly and caused a great deal of concern for many alumni. Our reaction as Vice Chairs of the AOC Initiative which is raising money to institutionalize TWTP for the ages was to immediately go to the source to find out if what was purported had any validity. According to Dean K who has run the program for over 20 years and was one of its early success stories as a student, the positions stated are almost wholly incorrect. She will issue an official statement on this shortly. However, in the meantime, we would like to let you know the following:
Fact: The TWTP budget has not been cut.
Fact: The Excellence at Brown program is not subsuming TWTP. It is a complementary,much-needed program to improve the writing skills of entering freshmen.
Fact: The TWTP is open to any entering student, but this is not a bad thing and has in no way disrupted the effectiveness of the program..
Fact: The AOC Initiative is the way to endow TWTP and other institutions at Brown for posterity. However, it is our understanding that a number of potential donors are already withholding money from this effort because of the opinion that has been posted on this website.
Please take these facts into consideration and remember that today (June 30) is your last chance to help us all make our initial statement for TWTP’s importance via the AOC Initiative. If you have not already done so, we urge you to make your statement via your gift today.
Bernicestine McLeod Bailey ‘68
Harold Bailey, Jr. ‘70
Fact: The TWTP budget has not been cut.
Fact: The Excellence at Brown program is not subsuming TWTP. It is a complementary,much-needed program to improve the writing skills of entering freshmen.
Fact: The TWTP is open to any entering student, but this is not a bad thing and has in no way disrupted the effectiveness of the program..
Fact: The AOC Initiative is the way to endow TWTP and other institutions at Brown for posterity. However, it is our understanding that a number of potential donors are already withholding money from this effort because of the opinion that has been posted on this website.
Please take these facts into consideration and remember that today (June 30) is your last chance to help us all make our initial statement for TWTP’s importance via the AOC Initiative. If you have not already done so, we urge you to make your statement via your gift today.
Bernicestine McLeod Bailey ‘68
Harold Bailey, Jr. ‘70
Re: Reactions To Don't Water Down TWTP
In response to Hayward... By the time I entered Brown in 94 TWTP sole objective wasn't to help Black student acclimate to a white University setting. (Although that is definitely what it did for me!) Then TWTP seemed to me to be more of an all-inclusive cultural awareness program. Anyone who could be considered "the Other" was discussed. I learned what trans-gendered meant at TWTP! It was quite eye opening. I think Black students from white neighborhoods got just as much from the experience as Black students from Black neighborhoods. Especially, since economic issues/stereotypes were also discussed freely throughout the program.
When I graduated in 98 the program was still pretty much the same as when I entered in 94. However, I know things can change a lot in 10 years... If TWTP is just a shell of what it once was that seems rather sad.
and sidebar: what does a writing program have to do with TWTP?
- Ayana Evans '98
When I graduated in 98 the program was still pretty much the same as when I entered in 94. However, I know things can change a lot in 10 years... If TWTP is just a shell of what it once was that seems rather sad.
and sidebar: what does a writing program have to do with TWTP?
- Ayana Evans '98