Students at the University of New Haven representing several multicultural organizations on campus held a silent protest on Saturday to call for more representation for people of color on campus.

Members of the Black Student Union, NAACP, Caribbean Student Association, Hermandad de Sigma Iota Alpha, Alpha Phi Alpha, Phi Beta Sigma, and other organizations stood on the steps of the side entrance to Maxcy Hall in the rain for the protest. It ws planned purposefully on Accepted Students Day, so that their message could make potential students aware of the situation, according to Es-pranza Humphrey, president of the University of New Haven’s NAACP chapter. “We want students to come to this campus but we want them to be aware of what’s going on and what they can do,” she said.

Humphrey said the reason for the protest was to bring awareness to the lack of representation of people of color on campus, specifically in the Center for Student Engagement, Leadership, and Orientation and USGA. She also said that there were several “unanswered questions” they had on the issue.

Another grievance the group had is what they claimed as “lies” being told about multicultural organizations. Accusations of hazing and lack of representation at certain presentations for recruitment were some of the things that MCGs have experienced, according to Humphrey.

Humphrey said that this was also a chance to show the next generation of students in these organizations to “know that there needs to be representation.”

The group of organizations is using the hashtag #TBSL, which stands for “To Be Seen in the Light,” created by the secretary of NAACP. Humphrey said this is a symbol of the fact that they can be seen in the light and still work effectively.

“We don’t need words to show that there’s a lack of representation,” Humphrey said.

University administration said they were not able to directly address the issues brought up by the students.

“We’re looking into it and we’re happy to hear the concerns the students have,” said Lyn Chamberlin, vice president for marketing and communications at the University.