FLIPS at Colby: talking to first generation and low-income students

The enormous socioeconomic disparities at Colby are no secret. Like many other small, liberal arts colleges in the United States, Colby has been historically dominated by white, wealthy students. 

The remnants of this exclusive elitism still exist today, and recognizing this is an important aspect in the process of reconciliation with the College’s discriminatory past. After all, it is undeniable that a large proportion of Colby’s student population come from privileged backgrounds, and it is important to recognize this facet of campus life. 

Without this acknowledgement, it is inevitable that the need of support programs for minority students becomes overlooked.

One of these support programs is First Generation-to-College/Low-Income Program for Student Success (FLIPS). 

First year Nischal Khatri described the program generally.

“FLIPS is a growing community at Colby that intends to support first-gen, with low income background students,” Khatri said in an interview with The Colby Echo.

Khatri is an intended government major on the pre-med track. He was born in Kathmandu, Nepal, but moved to Medford, Massachusetts at the age of twelve. 

The transition to campus can be overwhelming for anyone, but it is especially challenging for those who are the first in their family to make that transition. The disparity in resources and accessibility becomes especially prominent in the initial stages of moving into college, which is why communities like FLIPS were created. 

Incoming Colby students who identify as first-gen/low-income are reached out to by Lexie Mucci, director of the Pugh Center, the center for student diversity, equity, and inclusion on campus. First-year students in FLIPS participate in a pre-orientation program, and, with five to eight other students, are assigned to a cohort led by an upperclassman that is also first-gen/low-income. 

“I think having a group like FLIPS is very helpful, especially for first year first-gen low-income students such as myself,” Naomi Akagha, another first year, said to The Colby Echo. 

Akagha is an intended biology major with a concentration in neuroscience on the pre-med track. Akagha is originally from Nigeria, but her and her family currently live in Cincinnati, Ohio. 

Compared to the past, the strides Colby is making towards promoting diversity and equity are certainly noteworthy. Perhaps expectedly however, much of this effort is either student driven or done through the Pugh Center. Nevertheless, there is still a long way to go, especially when it comes to direction from administration. 

“Colby is doing a good job at increasing diversity on campus over the past few years. However, it is not nearly enough,” Nischal said. “For example, Colby did not provide full subsidies to all FLIPS students for health insurance. Thanks to the Colby Mutual Aid, some students were able to cover their insurance premiums, however, we should not be relying on other support groups. Colby is more than capable of covering the subsidy of all FLIPS students, especially during a pandemic.” 

The truth is, championing the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion is closely intertwined with the direct financial support of low-income students. No one can deny that support communities like FLIPS are crucial catalysts for promoting positive social change on campus. 

However, especially in light of the ongoing pandemic, direct economic support from the administration is equally necessary. Colby should ensure the smooth transition of first-generation, low-income students to campus in keeping accordance with their values of diversity, equity, and inclusion. 

Establishing a support network and community of people from similar backgrounds is certainly a significant component, but the administration themselves also has a responsibility, beyond what the Pugh Center can offer — they need to adequately support the financial needs of their students as well.

~ Hae Jung Kim `24