On Oct. 12, the campus organization BUIC (black united independent colligate) held an event called Middle Ground, the theme of this event was Greek life in regard to its relationship to Drury’s campus. 

How this event worked was there were statements displayed on a projector and then if the people representing their chapters agreed with the statement they would go sit down and then discuss. If they did not agree, they would remain standing until the people who agreed were done, and then they would discuss why they disagreed, and everyone would have a discussion.

Everyone remained super respectful and there was a decent turn out of people attending. President of BUIC, Serenity Sosa said, “I think that it went really well, we had some really dynamic conversation, and we were able to include a lot of different elements with faculty, staff and students present at the event.” The vice-president of the organization, Chris Cuevas, seemed to have a similar opinion on this subject. “I would agree that it went well, I feel like the only thing I would have changed is having the speakers be more comfortable.”

This is not the first time the organization has held an event similar to this one, and it will most certainly not be the last. The first time an event like this was held by BUIC was in February. The theme of this middle ground was American Civics. Sosa said, “It was actually a really productive snd engaging conversation, it really brought together people of different sides.” BUIC is hoping to put on another middle grounds event in spring semester, and the topic they are hoping to make it would be something with the athletic department. 

When asked what they would change, both Sosa and Cuevas were in agreement. Sosa commented, “there was definitely potential for a greater conversation. Quin Vonder Harr (a Drury student) actually kind of talked about it a little bit at the end, she said that this conversation could have a lot of different ways, it could have been deeper than it was.” Cuevas said, “We would want more Greek representation, we would love to see everybody come and support the event. I wish we could have helped everyone loosen up a bit.”

Sosa mentioned an event that Drury students can look forward to something special they have planned for next week little information was shared about this event but according to Sosa, “We’re planning something really big for next week, we can’t say much about it but it’s something very historical, we believe it is something that has never been done and it’s something that will be long standing and a permanent fixture in the Drury community.”

The organization also has two other events coming up. The first one is their logo design contest and the second one is their Kwanzaa event. The logo contest ends November tenth and there will be three grand prizes. The first one is a Wacom digital drawing tablet, the second one is Sony headphones, and the third prize is a cricket. The Kwanza event will take place in December, and there will be several social media posts and a feast. 

BUIC has a lot in store for the Drury community, and students can look forward to their events in the future.

Featured image taken by Casey Jones