04/29/2019
Sign and Share! Feminist Action at Middlebury endorses SGA's Thirteen Proposals for Community Healing.
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To the Middlebury Campus Community:
Feminist Action at Middlebury (FAM) would like to extend our gratitude towards every individual who put both times and thought into the 13 Proposals for Community Healing. The SGA’s diligence and efficiency are commendable. Feminist Action at Middlebury (FAM) and its members have deeply felt the effects of recent events. We believe that these proposals will aid our campus in improving its existing programs to better fit the broader campus community. It is vital to be intentional when considering campus policies. The events that have unfolded in the past two years have uncovered the lack of intentionality in Middlebury’s policies regarding students, speakers, and faculty. As a college, Middlebury should aim to protect its students. The way in which students feel targeted and misrepresented by the school is a result of the intentionality of policy and lack of proper procedure. These 13 proposals address these inadequacies.
The proposed structural changes address the lack of student input in administrative decisions. It is paramount that students are involved in this process so to see that their wants and needs are represented. Furthermore, the proposed increase in the vetting of speakers ensures that all identities are taken into account when considering the impact a speaker could have on campus. We must work towards regaining trust between the student body, faculty, and administration. These proposals and the transparency they provide are the stepping stones towards a more inclusive campus.
We commend this inclusion of proposal #5. Bias training is vital to improving the campus climate and to fitting the campus’ mission statement of "challenging students to participate fully in a vibrant and diverse academic community.” Without the awareness provided through bias training, it is clear that students are inhibited from fully engaging in this community. Similarly, improving Green Dot Education and the creation of a more legitimate informational session regarding sexual misconduct is of the utmost importance when considering student safety. The prioritization of the implementation of gender-inclusive bathrooms ensures this campus can feel safe for all individuals. We must work towards being a more informed and inclusive campus.
We are excited by the new initiatives included in proposals #10-13. Currently, all identities are not adequately represented on Middlebury’s campus and in Middlebury’s safe spaces. This is unacceptable. We are proud of the progress these proposals would provide. The school needs to better support people of color and members of the LGBTQ+ community. These programs would be a good start.
Thank you to the members of the SGA and the broader Middlebury community who put in the time and effort to address these deficiencies. We urge the administration to address student concerns to begin the healing process and usher in an improved age at Middlebury.
Best,
Feminist Action at Middlebury
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSem7RQzhzeZPLB6a__QbQ4mpDQPjalcBO3ME7_H_nxY494N6A/viewform?fbclid=IwAR3hag5ZAdQb1RjU4S82gTdQpDK9N97IDWa-pa8x9NnpXM72q_uFipnzPwQ
This letter will be shared with the larger Middlebury Community and emailed to all SGA senators. Sign on to show your support of the thirteen proposals laid out by SGA for community healing: https://middleburycampus.com/44611/opinion/thirteen-proposals-for-community-healing/ (go/healourcampus) We al...
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