Since its opening, the EMU community has held misconceptions about the true purpose of the on-campus Barbershop. Located in the University Commons building, it was intended to be a space where students could hang out and do their hair if they wanted (thus, “the hangout spot”), but evolved into the barbershop students are familiar with today. Recently, there has been confusion over the Barbershop’s current operations and how the space will transition after its closing. Sha’Dymon Blanton, Vice President and Secretary of Black Student Alliance (BSA), addressed these concerns: “the space is being temporarily closed simply because it requires sanitizing and much-needed repairs.”
Blanton and first-year Kylik Bradshaw, Event Coordinator for BSA, both noted that since the prior committee of BSA wasn’t aware that the hangout spot was under the club’s jurisdiction, they didn’t take precautions to maintain the area. Blanton also noted that the area had been used as a COVID testing area in the past: “the staff in charge of the space didn’t want them to have to walk through any public area, so they were to exit the building using the door right outside of the hangout room.”
Bradshaw wanted it to be known that BSA is trying their best to get all spaces and documents pertaining to the club under control, but struggle with lack of staff, which resulted in the lack of attention to the hangout area. As the staff leadership trains and transitions, Bradshaw notes that “they are going to learn their roles and responsibilities in order to teach their successors so their jobs will run smoothly and efficiently.”
Donesha George, President of BSA, shared that the club plans “on repainting, bringing in new couches, upgrading the chairs as well, and possibly getting a bigger TV.” George also brought up the idea of shrinking the bathroom next to the hangout which, according to George, is “too big,” in an attempt to expand the hangout area. If this were to happen, it would allow more space to add more couches, chairs, and sinks which would enable visitors to wash, cut, and style their hair. George noted, “The closing of the hangout room should only be closed ranging from anywhere between two to four weeks depending on how smoothly sanitizing and repairs go.”
The hangout area has become a “whole vibe” according to sophomore Milion Misgun. Misgun noted, “I still want it to be the same thing, more upgraded; I still want to get my hair cut, and for it to be a safe space to talk about anything and meet new people.” Misgun summarized why preserving this space is important: “it has become a part of our community because it is student-led.”
Sophomore Elphas Adams added that “it provides a safe space for students to go in there and communicate, let out any stress that they have, and also a barber and stylist who can cut/do your hair at a good price.” Adams went on to say that this area is important “…to students that are living on campus who may be low on funds or don’t have a means of transportation to go get their hair done.”
Junior Tyler Thompson described his experience at the hangout spot as “really comforting”: “when I was recruited here, touring the campus gave me a sense of comfort and …being seen because of how hard it is to find someone to cut your hair … and do ethnic textured styles like locs and twists. It would be really nice to have [the previous barbers] back.”
