I have decided to use the letter as the format for this assignment. My discourse community is first generation latinx students at City Tech, and the audience will be the college administration. I believe the letter will be the most effective tool to communicate them the problem at hand and possible solutions to improve the college experience for this group and other students as well.
There are multiple aspects that I want to address in this letter; the main point would be to help students become a more active part of City Tech. The first point is making information about how to pay for classes clear and concise because I know where the financial office is located, but most of the time I just pass by. For some students English is not their first language and they have a harder time communication with other people, making friends and networking with students, faculty, and other professionals. Also, a greater barrier is the cultural one, where the culture shock is overwhelming, so, the students create a safety net where they feel comfortable and experience much outside of their comfort zone.
Additionally, time is an issue, many if not most students have a part time or full-time job which limits their availability to attend and participate in college events. After the pandemic, many events are now available online so that’s a positive improvement. Also, I enrolled at City Tech before Covid, so I had a in-person orientation which helps a lot to get started in college, but I don’t know how effective the online orientation has been in the recent semesters, so, I will do some research on that matter. Therefore, my last point would be to create or improve a help desk, like a welcoming open space where first generation students can ask questions and find the answers they are looking for.
I love this topic, Francisco. The college is an HSI (a Hispanic Serving Institution) and there has been talk recently about how to be an effective Latinx serving institution. That said, I have questions:
Your financial aid example needs clarifying. How does your walking by relate to the language issues?
Also, how are the things you say the college needs to address, I mean that last sentence in the post, specific for first generation Latinx students? Or is there some kind of response that would be especially needed for first generation Latinx students that these spaces could offer?
Then, I wonder, what kinds of examples you could give to show what a first generation Latinx student specifically struggles with? What kinds of specific cultural issues are at play?
Finally, can you find statistics that show that Latinx students at City Tech or a CUNY are more likely to have a job or family responsibilities?