17 Comments
Friendly, welcoming faces
On Monday night, SGA took a break from its usual proceedings and opened things up to anyone who wanted to voice concerns regarding the issues students have been facing in the wake of recent events. Reliable reporter Joe Milholland was there, and he brings you a summary of last night’s discussions.
On Monday night from 8-10 pm, a large crowd of Barnard students, faculty, admins, and staff—including Dean of the College Avis Hinkson and Barnard President Debora Spar—gathered in the second floor dining room of the Diana Center to discuss to address recent events, specifically the non-indictments of the police officers who killed Michael Brown and Eric Garner. Overall, the students there asked for systemic, institutional changes to help people of color and other marginalized students at Barnard and Columbia.
Many students felt concerned with the lack of acknowledgement from the school and the administration about the news. That police were called on protesting students was heavily criticized by students at the meeting, and many talked about having to choose between activism and schoolwork. Several students mentioned racist and insulting remarks and actions they experienced in the wake of the non-indictments and protests. Those at the forum also criticized the initial “Party Like It’s 1889” theme of this year’s Midnight Breakfast.
Some students also talked about the lack of resources for students, especially those who are marginalized. Low-income students in particular can run into difficulties if they have to take time off from Barnard for health reasons, and those who come back after time off for mental health reasons may not have access to Barnard’s health insurance. Additionally, the recent extensions in mental health resources are for a limited time only. Some students asked for more recognition of transgender and gender non-conforming students.
Students also addressed classes and curriculum. Many expressed a desire for classes, possibly even required, that addressed present-day issues and global identities, as opposed to the Eurocentric and backward-looking Core Curriculum and Nine Ways of Knowing. Several students mentioned that their classes which discussed the non-indictments and other issues on campus were helpful. Those at the forum also expressed a desire to see more student-faculty interaction, as well as flexible deadlines for assignments.
Every fifteen years, Barnard undergoes a curriculum review, and there is one going on currently. It is headed by Barnard Provost Linda Bell. Students who want input on this can go to her office hours or email acr@barnard.edu.
Faculty, admins, and staff at the event echoed students or thanked them for their information. To the students at the event, Furman center counselor Gillian Scott-Ward said, “You can take action by dedicating yourself to action, by acknowledging […] people who are different—that should be one of the goals at college.” She also told the students, “When you hear friends say horrible and horrific things, stop them and educate them.”
Resources:
- On Wednesday night there will be a discussion with Dean Hinkson, and on Thursday morning, there will be a discussion with President Spar. The location for both events is TBA and will be sent out in an email.
- Clinicians on call
- Furman Health Services on lower level. This week, Furman office hours are from 5-7 pm on Wednesday and 7-9:30 pm on Thursday in Elliot, with extended listening hours next week.
- Email concerns to MJ Murphy, Director of Health Services, at mmurphy@barnard.edu.
- For concerns about specific classes (such as extensions on assignments), email the faculty member responsible for the class. For broader academic concerns, contact class deans.
- Student Life in rooms 301 and 303 of the Diana Center
- RAs
- SGA
- Nightline (10 pm-3 am daily, 212-854-7777)
- Well Women—This week, it has drop-in hours from 1-4.
Student council via Shutterstock
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17 Comments
@Scout M. Because it’s the white students giving thumbs up that feel marginalized… would recommend a different stock photo next time guys.
@Hilary Colenso The Furman Counseling Center is open from 9- 5pm every day.
Today (12/10) and tomorrow (12/11) there will be walk in hours available from 5-7pm in the Furman Counseling Center in Hewitt. In addition there will be the usual Listening hours from 7-9:30 pm on Thursday in Elliot Hall.
@Anonymous Glad that SGA takes it upon themselves to create this important space — clearly administrators need to be pushed to change.
@F (possible repost because I forgot to check the “i’m not a robot” thing), but were there any actual declarations by the adminstration committing to help address and solve some of the problems that first generation students/low income students face?
As a very low income student, it’s depressing that the student orgs here do more to help alleviate some of the problems that poor students face than the administration does
@Anonymous That would be great! As someone in a similar (first-gen college student/broke as all get-out) situation, that would be fantastic.
Unfortunately, the university’s money policy seems to be “Yes, please, and be quick about it”, often as not.
Nonetheless, I agree that something addressing these particular issues would be very welcome. There’s facets that aren’t immediately obvious, and some recognition of that would be a big step forward.
@Anonymous “…many talked about having to choose between activism and schoolwork”
I don’t understand the choice. You’re at school, which is where you do work.
@Anonymous No, no. Basically, they’re looking for work/life balance. Like how Gandhi kept his law practice open while pursuing Indian independence.
@Anonymous Males feel marginalized at Barnard.
@bc '16 Concerns were raised about “celebrating like it’s 1889,” when only white cisgendered females attended Barnard at the time.
@Anonymous I guess the students don’t realize Columbia has been dealing with political issues of the times since 1754. This is nothing new.
@serious question What was the criticism for the “party like it’s 1889” theme?
@bcus the soundtrack would be shit–no bangers topped the charts that year
@Olukemi Adeniji Let’s travel back to the year 1889, more than a decade after the conclusion of the Reconstruction Era, when people of color were being severely discriminated against in all institutions and systems across the United States. There was Plessy v. Ferguson, Jim Crow, the Chinese Exclusion Act, the lawful and systematic stealing of territory from Native Americans, an act that not separate from their subsequent massacre by the US Military, etc.
Also, I think it is noteworthy to point out that the late 1880s and early 1890s is considered the peak period of lynchings of African Americans in the United States.
Despite being one of the most prominent institutions in New York City, there were no offerings of admission to students of color by both Columbia University and Barnard College in the year 1889, and I think that, if anything, is what McAC should have considered most when they chose this theme title.
I hope you can understand the anger that I have and other students have towards the midnight breakfast theme, and stand in solidarity with us as we continue to call attention to the microaggressions students of color face everyday while attending a predominantly white, western institution, and living in a world that runs on the administration of white supremacy.
Thank you for asking the question.
@Anonymous k
@Anonymous Good explanation.
It kind of wipes out any concept of doing a retro/nostalgia-/etc themed event, though.
@IEB Don’t fool yourself girl, its going right up yer poop chute
@FZ No, not now. (maybe later)