A University of South Florida (USF) student was reportedly denied mental health services because he was not a member of the Black, Indigenous, and Colored (BIPOC) community, according to communications obtained by campus reform.
Andrew Davis wanted to attend an “Understanding yourself and others” (USE) group therapy meeting, but realized that none of the sessions worked with his schedule. Because of this, he asked the USF counseling center if he could attend the BIPOC meeting since it was the only End-shutdown he could attend, but the university informed him that he was not allowed.
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“I’m interested in attending a USO group meeting after completing the pre-group appointment, but the only day/End-shutdown that works for me is Wednesdays during the BIPOC student-only group,” Davis asked in an email. “I’m not a BIPOC student, but I was wondering if I could still attend.”
Signage for the University of South Florida (USF) is displayed on the university’s campus in Tampa, Florida, USA, Jan. 10, 2014. (Ebenhack/Bloomberg via Getty Images) ((Ebenhack/Bloomberg via Getty Images))
“Unfortunately, we need to keep this specific space for BIPOC folks…Hopefully, you’ll be able to find another one during winter break and/or next semester,” the USF Counseling Center said in response.
On October 10, 2022, Davis filed a complaint with USF’S Office of Compliance and Ethics, eventually receiving a response on February 8 of this year, according to Campus Reform.
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A University of South Florida student wears a face mask while protesting outside USF President Steven Currall’s residence on campus on July 2, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Octavio Jones/Getty Images) ((Photo by Octavio Jones/Getty Images))
“The Counseling Center will not prohibit any category of student [from] participate in specialized advisory groups unless a specific exception or medical mandate is identified that may support exclusivity,” the school responded.
Additionally, Davis was reportedly attacked by the Equal Opportunity Officer kenneth thomas during the oct. 18 Microsoft Teams Gathering Meeting on the issue.
David said Thomas “was accusatory” and “asked me if I knew what BIPOC stood for and if I understood the importance of these groups having their own discussion,” according to Campus Reform.
“He didn’t seem concerned about my complaint and was more concerned about the University’s ability to continue with these groups,” Davis added.
University of South Florida student Jason Berry wears a face mask as he protests outside USF President Steven Currall’s residence on campus on July 2, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Octavio Jones/Getty Images) ((Photo by Octavio Jones/Getty Images))
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USF’s DEI initiatives were exposed by Chris Rufo after obtaining public documents which showed the university segregating students by race and “promotes the idea that white students should think ‘I feel bad for being white’ and ‘It’s not my fault I’m white’ as part of their ‘racial identity development’ ‘”.
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Joshua Nelson of Fox News contributed to this report.