The UMD School of Public Policy has seen a resurgence in its student policy organizations this academic year. From revitalized groups such as Queer and Trans Students in Public Policy (QTiPP) and Black Students in Public Policy (BSiPP) to newly formed organizations such as La Gente and the Asian American Policy Union (AAPU), many are coalescing around social identities.
Glenn Burnett, founder of QTiPP, shares that when he heard the Policy Student Government Association president admit that QTiPP was an active group in the past but was now dormant, “I thought that considering the cavalcade of anti-trans and anti-LGBTQ+ laws in the U.S. over the last year or so, it wasn't really acceptable to not have an active Queer club at University of Maryland’s School of Public Policy.”
Belonging to and identifying with a non-majority group among the population of students and faculty can impact students’ overall experience.
We hope to accomplish a safe space for black students at SPP while encouraging the faculty to create curriculums that discuss policies that affect people of color in the United States.Raymond Rodriguez
“As a minority at a predominantly white institution, I felt as though it was special to be a part of this group of intelligent, goal-oriented and passionate black students along with other marginalized identities,” reflects Raymond Rodriquez, president of BSiPP. “We hope to accomplish a safe space for black students at SPP while encouraging the faculty to create curriculums that discuss policies that affect people of color in the United States,” adds Rodriguez.
We formed La Gente to create a space for Latinx students in the diaspora to see themselves, meet like-minded people and come together for shared conversations about the policy issues that impact our communities.Bridget Ruiz Rivezzo
“We formed La Gente to create a space for Latinx students in the diaspora to see themselves, meet like-minded people and come together for shared conversations about the policy issues that impact our communities,” shares Bridget Ruiz Rivezzo, co-founder of La Gente. “Sixty-two million people living in the U.S. identify as Latinx, as does almost 30% of the population in Prince George’s County. It is vital that the policies that impact our community get discussed,” asserts Ruiz Rivezzo.
“The realm of public policy has been homogenous for too long. It is crucial to foster diversity and promote engagement in the policy world from all backgrounds and experiences,” said Diana Goldsmith, PSGA graduate co-president. “It is so important for the School of Public Policy to uplift student groups where students of a variety of identities can discuss the issues that are relevant to them and feel empowered to tackle the policy problems relevant to their communities.”
There are a host of steps and criteria a student organization must meet to be officially recognized by the PSGA, from hosting an interest meeting to show there is support for your organization to securing a faculty advisor and filling officer roles. Official PSGA recognition is required for an organization to receive funding to support activities throughout the year.
QTiPP and BSiPP established their organizations early in the fall semester. Each has hosted impactful and well-attended events. QTiPP hosted a speaker session with Margo Quinlan, a trans advocate who was instrumental in the passage of the Trans Health Equity Act in Maryland. BSiPP’s Taste of the Diaspora event with SPP’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) Taskforce celebrated the sounds and cuisines in the diaspora, including the Caribbean, Africa and The Americas, with students and faculty.
Aside from building interest and hosting organizational meetings, La Gente co-hosted an end-of-year picnic with BSiPP and has a slate of events lined up to kick off the 2023-24 academic year in the fall.
AAPU is focused on developing a safe space for Asian and Middle Eastern students pursuing policy and providing them with a community to share culture and network. Shivani Sidh, AAPU secretary, shares, “We hope to engage our campus community with global struggles happening across Asia - through advocacy and educational events. We want to engage our identities politically, and not just culturally, and we hope our events will reflect that.”
Students can learn more about these student organizations, including how to follow them on social media and information on how to become a member, on the School’s Student Groups webpage.