While sitting in her political science class, senior Ione Mueller listened while her professor pointed out differences between a low-income student’s performance in school and a middle-class student’s performance. He asked the class why they thought there was a difference.
“Because poor people are ignorant,” one girl said.
The professor tried to point out that was not the case, but the rest of the class seemed to agree with the first girl.
“The class assumed everyone in the class was middle class,” Mueller said. “I was too upset to even raise my hand to say anything.”
This inspired Mueller to create the Working-Class Student Solidarity for other students who feel alienated by the assumption that everyone on campus comes from middle-class backgrounds.
WCSS is an organization for low-income, working-class and first generation college students that provides support, referrals, resources and educational opportunities to members to assist them while attending college. One goal of the group is to inform people at the University that low-income students do exist on campus, Mueller said.
“University life in general is traditionally a bourgeoisie community,” she said. “It is very alienating for students who don’t come from the same background.”
Mueller created the program by designing an internship with the Women’s Studies program. The internship was sponsored by Student Support Services and led to the establishment of WCSS in January.
Mueller said one difference between a low-income student and a middle-class student is they learn to be students later than middle-class students do.
“A working-class student learns how to be a student by the end of college, whereas middle-class students come to college already knowing that,” she said.
Physics Professor James Brau said he has been aware of students who work as well as go to school. He said if a student in his class came up to him with problems juggling school and work, he would offer to talk with them on how they can manage their time.
“I probably wouldn’t give them a break on turning in assignments, but rather help them find a way to do their work and turn it in on time,” he said.
Mueller said WCSS members have talked about how others assume everyone is middle class in their own classes and study groups. She added how scary and frustrating it is for them to say, “Hey, I’ve got a different experience.”
WCSS member Sophie Smith said low-income students “don’t really identify that well with the middle class student lifestyle,” and the group gives them a chance to exchange ideas and educate themselves about ways to deal with that.
“We are going to incorporate guest speakers, such as professors who are also first generation college students about what they did to get where they are now,” she said.
The group meets every Thursday from 3 to 5 p.m. in the Multicultural Center. Since its creation, membership has grown, but the group is still looking for more members.
“We are a relatively new group, and I hope membership grows,” Smith said. “We are really eager to get more involvement from students.”