The SOCC, short for the Student of Color Center, was a beloved space dedicated to Concord Academy students of color. News of its recent removal has spread around the school like wildfire, drawing confusion from students who cherished using the SOCC. Generation after generation, the SOCC represented a safe space where students of color could bond, find support, and feel at home. For many, including myself, it was a place where students could foster a sense of belonging while attending a predominately white institution. Though changes may have been necessary, by eliminating such a crucial space without offering any alternatives, the school failed to recognize the impact of the SOCC and what it stood for. CA must rethink how it provides such essential support, because an affinity space for students of color is as crucial as ever.
On September 12th, Grant Hightower, the Dean of Students, announced the reasons that lead to the school’s decision. The administration felt that the SOCC no longer fulfilled its original purpose. The space was intended to serve as a home for community-bonding events, bringing together students of color providing them a sense of belonging in a new environment. However, the school raised concerns about how some students began misusing the space, with several instances of students abusing substances and participating in other inappropriate behaviors. These issues overshadowed the root idea of the space, and the administration decided the SOCC would subsequently be removed.
As a student of color, I am extremely disappointed. While I understand the need for administration to address the misuse, I can’t help but feel that the SOCC’s removal is a significant loss, especially for students like me who used it as emotional and social support. During freshman year, the SOCC helped me adjust to CA. Coming from a day school where most students shared my racial identity and cultural upbringing, coming to CA was a large transition. Uncomfortable with my new surroundings, I was scared of isolation and the idea that I wouldn’t be able to “fit in”. The SOCC was where I felt at home. I was able to share my worries as an international student with others who understood my feelings, enabling me to connect and make friends. Last year, when I needed a release from the stress that had been weighing down, I was able to find solace in the SOCC; when I needed a place to have fun with friends, the SOCC provided that. It helped me navigate my path at CA.
Other students shared similar experiences. “When we threw SOCC events with other people of color, I felt really at home and it was really nice. I liked the moments of community we had with each other, but now I feel like there’s no chance to do that anymore,” Olivia Kim ‘26 replied when I asked about why the SOCC was so special to her. It was nice to hear that other students were also able to make use of that space to build connections, find comfort and feel seen, like how I did when I first came.
Though I understand the administration’s reasoning on their decisions, I feel that the SOCC was truly a special place and a vital part of CA culture—one that supported the students of color. CA prides itself in fostering inclusivity, yet by removing the SOCC, the school has removed a crucial support system for new students of color. Though it may not come back in the same form, it is critical for the school to build an affinity space, one that creates a safe refuge, just like the SOCC. Concord Academy may need improvements and reimagine what this idea may look like, but the need of such a place is necessary. This isn’t just about a room; this is about community.