2008 Woodie Awards
Making Our Voices Heard: A Way Forward
C.J. Sentell and Ben Hatten
Issue date: 5/17/02 Section: Campus Life
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In the last Profile, a process began that could quite possibly transform our school. We spoke with force and clarity in order to emphasize the point that it is the student body's duty to assume responsibility in determining what this institution is and what it should become.
Our concerns came as a surprise to much of the administration. They asked why we had not talked to them before about these issues. Our answer, in turn, was this: we have been talking about these issues for a long time, but it is time to actually do something about them.
The time for mere talking has passed into a time where our ideas must be actualized. It is a sincere desire on our part to realize the ideals of our mentors and we are students here because we share these same ideals with the faculty. Both in the classroom and through personal relationships, our professors have shown us that such values are worth striving for.
Open dialogue, critical input, and workable solutions lie at the center of our community. Thus, in the spirit of cultivating an atmosphere of respect and equality, we will be working on several main issues.
Communication seems to be the most vital. For example, we learned that SEPTF is not even a proposed policy, but, as President Cloyd said, a starting point for the conversation we must have over such a policy. We must open the channels of communication in a way that is both reciprocal and meaningful.
The feeling that one is talking without being taken seriously is indeed frustrating. A community that respects and values one another's concerns is a community that talks openly, frankly, and often. The forum held in The Burrow on Tuesday night was a step in the right direction. If you could not make it on Tuesday and share some of these concerns, I strongly encourage you to try to make it to the next one.
Administrators and staff responded honestly to a group of students with serious concerns. Issues were clarified and different sides to various opinions were heard. The scope of such forums, however, should be broadened to include not only "immediate issues," but also more general issues concerning the direction and spirit of the College's conduct.
Our concerns came as a surprise to much of the administration. They asked why we had not talked to them before about these issues. Our answer, in turn, was this: we have been talking about these issues for a long time, but it is time to actually do something about them.
The time for mere talking has passed into a time where our ideas must be actualized. It is a sincere desire on our part to realize the ideals of our mentors and we are students here because we share these same ideals with the faculty. Both in the classroom and through personal relationships, our professors have shown us that such values are worth striving for.
Open dialogue, critical input, and workable solutions lie at the center of our community. Thus, in the spirit of cultivating an atmosphere of respect and equality, we will be working on several main issues.
Communication seems to be the most vital. For example, we learned that SEPTF is not even a proposed policy, but, as President Cloyd said, a starting point for the conversation we must have over such a policy. We must open the channels of communication in a way that is both reciprocal and meaningful.
The feeling that one is talking without being taken seriously is indeed frustrating. A community that respects and values one another's concerns is a community that talks openly, frankly, and often. The forum held in The Burrow on Tuesday night was a step in the right direction. If you could not make it on Tuesday and share some of these concerns, I strongly encourage you to try to make it to the next one.
Administrators and staff responded honestly to a group of students with serious concerns. Issues were clarified and different sides to various opinions were heard. The scope of such forums, however, should be broadened to include not only "immediate issues," but also more general issues concerning the direction and spirit of the College's conduct.
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