A recent post on social media has brought to light the way Falmouth University allegedly failed in supporting BAME students and calls for change after suggestions they ignored reports of racism and discrimination.

Mei-Li Mwamba, a 21-year-old English student has called for the university to address its "very obvious lack of support for students of colour."

Mei-Li is entering her third year and said the decision to move from Huddersfield and study at Falmouth was "quick" as she felt drawn to the area, she said:

"It's so beautiful and the courses it offered sounded so amazing. The education I've received has been really good but the very moment I walked around the town for the first time I realised how much I stuck out.

"I wasn't aware of the lack of diversity when I moved here and in all honesty, I wished I'd researched it beforehand."

Earlier this year Mei-Li was subject to racist abuse by an individual who works at a food establishment in Falmouth.

When she approached the Student Union she reveals she was told 'just because one person says the N-word doesn't mean everyone's going to say it.'

She decided to take the matter to the university's living support who told her that it was 'presumptuous' for saying that there was a problem in Cornwall.

This isn't the first time Mei-Li has experienced this and she now says she "refuses" to accept it any longer.

Mei-Li continued:

"There's been a few times people have said the N-word. I've also had people stare at me, point at me.

"Sometimes people will be driving their cars and they'll completely turn their necks to watch me walk down the street.

"Racial abuse is something I've been through my entire life, the battle of equality - or lack of - began the moment I was born I guess.

"Whenever something like this happens it's like going through all of the stages of grief in 5 minutes.

"In the end, though it's something I just accept, I've always been taught to 'just ignore it' but I refuse to do that anymore."

The post on social media has also reached 1,000 likes with other students sharing similar experiences and supporting each other.

So far, Mei-Li's personal tutor has been in touch and course leaders have shown support for her but there have been suggestions this could create a "social media storm" for her and pose potential problems which brought more frustration, "I feel in a way they were more concerned about their own image and again, that's part of the problem," she added.

So what should the university do? Mei-Li brings forward essential changes that need to be made, she said:

"They definitely need to increase their resources for BAME students, including hiring BAME wellbeing officers and such.

"It isn't possible for someone who has never been racially abused to relate to the trauma of it. The university has a massive lack in representation and in all honesty we are paying to get degrees in an industry that already lacks diversity.

"My biggest argument to the university is, if you are going to encourage the education of PoC then you are required to protect PoC too."

Falmouth President Callie Edwards commented suggesting that the Student Union could be looking at bringing forward an investigation, she said:

"I'm disappointed to hear you have had this experience and will discuss with the union about starting an investigation."

Falmouth students have been signing and sharing a petition calling for an end to "systemic racism and discrimination" at Falmouth University.

Mei-Li concluded:

"I think it's really important for people to be aware that the statement 'black lives matter' doesn't mean that anyone else's life doesn't.

"'At the moment and for the last 400+ years, black lives have been and are currently in danger, imagine being unable to walk down the street without someone pointing at you. Imagine not being able to go and buy a sandwich without someone yelling a horrific slur at you.

"Imagine living in a world where we have to state 'black lives matter' in the first place. To those who have used their voices - thank you. To those who haven't - please do - this is everyone's battle. There is no fence."

Falmouth Nub News contacted Falmouth University for a comment and got this response:

"We were profoundly sorry to read about the experiences of our student. We are proud of our inclusive, caring community and recognise our institution's responsibility in supporting everyone within it.

"Both Falmouth University and our Students' Union are committed to creating an environment where everyone feels valued, are included, belong and can flourish. We know that everyone's experiences are different, but that everyone needs an equal chance.

"Falmouth University abhors racism, harassment and discrimination and we recognise that we cannot be complacent about attitudes and behaviours in our community and in the inequalities and injustices that exist in society.

"We also recognise that it is not enough, not to be racist, but that we must take a proactive role in being anti-racist. We have a duty to educate not only ourselves but others around us and everyone at Falmouth has a role to play.

"We care deeply about this and have been working on some important projects and re-examining our practices and procedures. All at Falmouth recognise that we can and must do more."