Wayne State Holds Cycling Benefit for Homeless Students

The 2017 Baroudeur will be held on Saturday, August 19th.

Jake Neher/WDET

Wayne State University’s third annual urban cycling event, the 2017 Baroudeur, will be held on Saturday, August 19th. The event takes cyclists through Detroit and shows people a different side of the city. Proceeds from the ride directly benefit WSU scholarships and the university’s Helping Individuals Go Higher Program (HIGH) which supports students in unstable housing situations. 

WSU President M. Roy Wilson speaks with Detroit Today host Stephen Henderson about the annual cycling event and how it helps WSU students in need. 

“(HIGH) started off to help homeless students, but the need is much greater than students that are homeless,” says Wilson.

According to Wilson, there are some students that aren’t permanently homeless, but are “precariously housed.” Because of this, they often find ways to stay on campus for extended periods of time.

“This program helps with these types of students,” he says. “A lot of times what happens is that these students just drop out and what we really want is for these students to stay in school and graduate.” 

President Wilson also addresses the issue of minority student enrollment at Wayne State, as well as public universities across Michigan.

Click on the audio player above for the full conversation. 

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    Dynamic and diverse voices. News, politics, community and the issues that define our region. Hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Stephen Henderson, Detroit Today brings you fresh and perceptive views weekdays at 9 am and 7 pm.