Have you ever heard of the term FLI? No? Well, at Swarthmore it stands for First-Generation/Low-Income (FLI). Being FLI at Swarthmore is such a phenomenal and significant aspect of attending this college. We FLI students are taken care of in a way that helps us not feel stigmatized or singled out by peers who do not share our background. The number of FLI resources that are across campus is amazing, whether it be through the FLI Office or our FLI Council, which is a branch of the FLI community run by fellow Swatties (Swarthmore students).
Now, my first introduction to the FLI community at Swarthmore was through FLI-POP. FLI-POP, or the FLI Peer-Orientation Program, is designated for incoming freshmen who are FLI and/or undocumented to have the opportunity to engage in various discussions and workshops ranging from navigating Swarthmore’s social scene to academics. It is hosted by the Teaching and Learning Commons (TLC) and led by active FLI students on campus. My FLI-POP experience exposed me to new people and allowed me to gain so much exposure to new backgrounds and frames of community. FLI-POP is also where I met my first friend on campus (shout out Pedro!)
This is a picture I took of Pedro at Crum Regatta during our sophomore year. If you cannot tell, he is dressed up as Christ the Redeemer, lol.
As a FLI student, it is beyond intriguing what resources are available to us. Take the Richard Rubin Scholar Mentor Program. It helps first- and second-years be paired with faculty across campus for various summer opportunities that they might not have had access to before. I have multiple friends who have applied to be Richard Rubin Scholars and greatly appreciated the outcomes that came from it. The FLI Office also holds a weekly event during the academic year called “FLI Fridays.” There is always food, and the events can range anywhere from discussing financial literacy to even bouquet-making. As someone who attended the bouquet-making event, it was so nice!
This is a bouquet I made at one of the FLI Friday events during my freshman year! I got to keep the vase and everything.
Now, as for FLI Council, they put together more programming to which FLI students have access. There is the FLI Driver’s Training Program, which helps you get your driver’s license entirely for free. We also have Winter Care Packages that are given out to FLI students to help them during the colder seasons. You can typically find socks, gloves, hats and sometimes a pair of sweatpants for warmth. Speaking of winter, the FLI Office also hosts a Winter Coat closet/giveaway as well.
One of the favorite FLI Council resources is our FLI Pantry; it is a space where students can grab non-perishable foods, hygienic/menstrual products and various snacks. The purpose of the student-led initiative is to close the gap on any needs FLI students require regarding wellness and food security. I am a recurring volunteer for helping restock the FLI Pantry, and I greatly appreciate having access to it.
Another cool thing about the FLI community is how robust it is regarding student demographics. Both FLI Council and the FLI Office will collaborate with affinity groups across campus to heighten awareness of events and any overlapping interests students might have. In the past, they have collaborated with Students of Caribbean Ancestry (SOCA), Enlace and even our QuestBridge chapter on campus. There are even FLI interns, so if you want to contribute to the FLI community here at Swarthmore but gain a little bit of coin, you absolutely can!
Being a FLI student at Swarthmore has allowed me to broaden my sense of community and gain such insight into what it truly means to be FLI at Swat. I look forward to the incoming classes that get to contribute more to Swat’s FLI community. It will definitely be a sight to see.
