Last Minute Call for ‘Student Forum’

Dean of Students Gus Jordan sent an email to students at 4:33PM yesterday announcing a “student forum” for this evening (Thursday) at 8PM in McCullough Social Space. Jordan writes,

You have received a number of emails from me and others regarding changes in student life this year… They include changes to the alcohol citation system, changes in Health Center hours, changes in the operation of the dining halls, and changes in the way we respond to alcohol intoxication on campus. These new policies and approaches to student life are part of a broader philosophical conversation regarding how we understand the responsibilities and rewards of friendship and community on campus, as well as how we effectively respond to current economic climate across the country… Topics for discussion can range from the big issues (how do we understand student self-governance and oversight in the dorms) to the practical (what do I do if my roommate is ill at 3:00 a.m.).

For a last minute meeting regarding what Jordan calls a “broader philosophical conversation,” this meeting seems out of place. Last year, meetings on the school’s financial situation for students, while poorly attended, were scheduled at least a week and often more in advance. But a hastily written email and snap-decision meeting that precedes Pub Night in The Grille is not only uncharacteristic but reactionary.

Chances are Old Chapel is feeling the jitters. The Middlebury Campus Editorial released this morning stopped just short of slamming the Parton Health Center decision. RAs around campus who held hall meetings this week have been met with laughter when announcing the “duty room” and “call a sober friend” policies. The accelerated close of Atwater is also a jab at students. Students are legitimately buzzing about H1N1 in the dining halls, worried about school closure and online learning. And with the first weekend of “play hard” upon us, I would be nervous too.

My two cents: slow down. The philosophical discussions are important to have, but there’s no need to disguise this meeting. It has a chance of garnering a lot of student interest, and I hope a lot of students go even if it’s on a Thursday night. But most importantly, I encourage both Old Chapel and students to first stop and take time to think about the new policies. We’ve barely made it through a few days of classes, so let’s pause for a moment before launching into our community debates or even detailed practical questions. We’ll be in a much better position to talk about the new policies once we’ve had some time to grapple with the issues in a more tangible way, especially after our first weekend.

Disclosure: I also work on the Middlebury Campus on online/multimedia projects. I did not participate in this week’s Campus Editorial.