In the last interview of “On The Margins at DU,” a column that investigates the successes and failures of inclusive excellence at DU, The Clarion spoke with fourth-year Max Michalec. He serves as the president of Delta Alpha Pi (DAPi) Honors Society, an on-campus group that seeks to “celebrate and support academic achievement, leadership and advocacy for post-secondary students with disabilities.”
To get involved with DAPi Honors Society, email their advisor at scott.maxwell@du.edu.
This interview has been edited for clarity and cohesion.
Kiana: How inclusive of an environment would you characterize DU?
Max: There are structures in place to advocate for marginalized communities, like affinity groups, but students don’t know about them and they aren’t being adequately supported by the University. DU has an atmosphere where people say there is inclusivity, but there isn’t.
Kiana: How has DU succeeded to take marginalized communities into consideration?
Max: By funding student organizations that support marginalized groups. The way that DU works is that when students are given dollars, they have more of a voice and can spread their message more efficiently.
Kiana: How has DU succeeded to take students with disabilities and DAPi Honors Society, specifically, into consideration?
Max: The problem that DAPi Honors Society runs into is not having enough of a voice on campus to necessitate funding. But for the community in general, the University has the Learning Effectiveness Program. It provides individualized support to students with disabilities navigating the college environment. DU is one of the only schools in the nation that provides a resource like that, and it is a huge draw-in for some students.
The fact that the University has the Learning Effectiveness Program is pretty special and unique. But students have to pay extra for it, and scholarships are limited.
Kiana: How has DU failed to take the community into consideration?
Max: When DU plans new buildings and spaces, the University is not always paying attention to accessibility. It usually depends on the age of the building, but sometimes it is still not taken into consideration today.
One of the most ironic problems is that the one elevator in Katherine A. Ruffatto Hall, the building on the corner of Evans and High Street, is often not working. The Learning Effectiveness Program and Disability Services Program are both on the fourth floor. When the elevator doesn’t work, students with physical disabilities can’t schedule needed programming that—in the case of the Disability Services Program—the University is mandated by law to provide. It has been a problem on and off since I’ve been at DU.
Kiana: What has your experience been with professors on-campus?
Max: I’ve never had a professor who was completely against letting me use my accommodations. But how much people help differs across faculty—some may meet the required expectations but rely on students to advocate for themselves first. It can be a problem if a student isn’t a member of the Learning Effectiveness Program and doesn’t know how to engage with that kind of person. Advocating for yourself is not a skill that is easily done. I had to develop how to say, ‘These are the things I need, and you are required to help me with them.’
Kiana: What do you hope to see in the future of inclusive excellence, specifically with how DU treats students with disabilities?
Max: I’d like to see the Learning Effectiveness Program expanded. It needs more financial support from the University, in terms of scholarships. All of the scholarships right now are being funded by alumni of the program. This program makes a big difference for students who are lucky enough to be able to do it. The more people that can use that resource, the better.
It has been hard for students with disabilities to find support from DU because not everyone wants to share that they have a disability or what those disabilities are. We are an invisible presence, at least partially, even though there are more students on campus with disabilities than people acknowledge.
We’re not technically considered a minority community, as we have federal protections under the ADA. But if those didn’t exist, students with disabilities would be the largest minority group on-campus. So in terms of changes, I’d like the student body to recognize how large this community is and realize that they are engaging with people with disabilities every day.
Kiana: What are the consequences of the student body not being aware of this reality?
Max: You might hear people using the r-word and other hurtful language. It makes it harder for students to step out and acknowledge their disability. It creates a negative atmosphere that encourages you to stay invisible since you don’t know if others will accept or support you.
Kiana: How does DAPi Honors Society counteract this lack of respect?
Max: Without DAPi Honors Society, I wouldn’t have been able to find students who are outspoken about their disabilities and have faced the same struggles as me. I wouldn’t feel as comfortable when looking for accommodation and support, and I wouldn’t know the different pathways that can help me find success at this University. In my college experience, it has been an outlet and safe place to turn to.
Kiana: Is there anything else you would like to add?
Max: Our student body needs to hold the administration accountable towards following through with their promises. We have to make sure the University does what they say they will and that it isn’t just for show. Continue to advocate.
Through this column, we hope to shed light on the range of identities and experiences that exist on campus, create a space where their voices can be heard and highlight their contentious relationship with DU. We hope to represent them with as much journalistic integrity as possible, but we are aware that there are stories we will fail to communicate with the same voice. We aspire to do better than student organizations and institutions, including The Clarion, have done in the past at treating these topics with the thought and consideration they deserve.
If there is feedback you would like to give or issues you would like to see covered in this column, please reach out to duclarioneditorialteam@gmail.com.
