Hampton University students took to social media last week to express outrage over poor living conditions on campus.
Students say their concerns about mold-infested dorms, spoiled cafeteria food and even sexual assault complaints have fallen on deaf ears and that nothing is being to rectify it. Using the hashtag #HUTownHall, students shared shocking photos of conditions at their school in hopes that their voices would be heard and changes would be made.
Students said their complaints have been brushed off by school administrators for far too long and now they want something done about it.
“It’s almost like we’re not at the same school — us and the administration,” one student told WAVY News. “Because what they’re looking at Hampton as and what we’re actually going through is two different things. Don’t act like everything is perfect when it’s not perfect. And don’t give us empty answers.”
https://twitter.com/OLUM13A/status/966463017574715392
https://twitter.com/KaylaTheLight/status/966376726820544513?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.phillytrib.com%2Fnews%2Facross_america%2Fhampton-university-students-outraged-over-conditions-and-sexual-assault-complaints%2Farticle_7df63dca-1930-11e8-b9be-a3828e826e0e.html
https://twitter.com/_call_me_gerry/status/966138885272154112
PEOPLE DON’ T REPORT RAPES AND SEXUAL ASSAULTS ON CAMPUS BC YALL DONT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.
And then got the nerves to victim shame in the meeting #HUTownHall
— Asé🦋 (@naiy__) February 21, 2018
#Repost These are problems occurring at Hampton University right now. The dorms are old & have mold, the cafe serves inedible food, our academic buildings have not been renovated for years & there is no campus life due to 12-2, BOTS and the harbors being taken away. #HUTownHall pic.twitter.com/d4rZnHiMZJ
— ashleybankss. (@ashleyyysenora) February 21, 2018
https://twitter.com/lorlinaa/status/966390993347076096?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.phillytrib.com%2Fnews%2Facross_america%2Fhampton-university-students-outraged-over-conditions-and-sexual-assault-complaints%2Farticle_7df63dca-1930-11e8-b9be-a3828e826e0e.html
Some students also felt the need to clap back at HU alums who they said bashed them for speaking out about the issues on campus, rather than “keeping it in-house.”
Any Hampton alum who tries to silence current students should be ashamed. "Keep it in-house" has gotten us nowhere. My mom and I graduated Hampton 27 years apart and had similar complaints, which is unacceptable. What we need to do is advocate on the students behalf #HUTownHall
— milky way ghetto dweller (@AMARAtto_sour) February 21, 2018
My tweet yesterday had alumni upset bc I didn’t “leave it within the school” & I need to “stop dissing HU via twitter.” When the students do speak to admin & Harvey HIMSELF, we still don’t get answers or a promise of change. So to alumni, in the most respectful way… #HUTownHall pic.twitter.com/DAlOz7mICC
— Sagiterrorist (@_Camrynnn_) February 21, 2018
“Keep Hampton business in house” Imagine you go out to eat and pay $40+ for the meal…but the food is horrible, the building is falling apart, and the service is a joke. You really think I’m not about to be on google review telling everybody? Son… I’m SNITCHING #HUTownHall pic.twitter.com/35el405WOP
— Nita LaShawn (@diaryofasavage) February 21, 2018
We genuinely need the alumni on our side to make the necessary changes. If we don’t have their support, nothing is ever going to get done #HUTownHall
— dominique🦋 (@dominiquemonee) February 21, 2018
Members of the Hampton administration have since responded to issues brought by students at last week’s meeting, saying they’d like to “move forward” and find viable solutions to their complaints.
In addressing the issue of sexual assault claims not being properly handled, Student Government President Martha Baye assured students that all such reports were relayed to the University’s Office of Title IX and handled according to federal guidelines. In a statement, the university also announced plans to create a Food Services Working Group comprised of 10 students who’ll meet once per month to address issues concerning food quality.
“We are pleased to present these solutions in collaboration with elected student leaders and the Administration to the student body and alumni as an active effort to bridge the gap,” Baye wrote. “We look forward to the progress that will be made.”
