Editorials

We must do better

By Editorial Board | April 17, 2019

When students from the Afro-American Society occupied Hopkins Hall on April 4, 1969, the Record published an editorial that day responding to the students’ demands for, among other things, the formation of an Afro-American studies department and affinity housing for students of marginalized identities. The editorial offered broad support to the majority of the Afro-American Society’s demands but couched its language in calls for moderation and critiques of the “uncompromising tone” of student activists, terming them “a narrow and selfish interest group.”

This was hardly an isolated incident.

On the need for affinity housing

Letter to the Editor

Building an equitable community: Making change to ensure staff can thrive

The time is now: Calling for the College to act upon recommendations and make Asian American studies a reality

Editorials

Centering inclusiveness in the College’s educational mission: A call for renewed attention to issues of minority faculty and staff well-being

With the recent leaves of Assistant Professor of Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies Kai Green ’07 and Assistant Professor of English Kimberly Love, the College’s need to foster an inclusive environment to support faculty and staff from all backgrounds and of all identities has become ever more apparent. This concern has been long-standing; the Faculty-Staff Initiative (FSI) Report in 2009 centered the retention of faculty and staff of color as a pressing issue.

Editorials

Addressing Title IX changes: Why we must oppose the weakening of crucial protections

In addition to our main editorial this week, the Record’s editorial board wishes to recognize the College’s Board of Trustees for allowing students to replace any one summer earnings contribution with additional grant aid. This change, we believe, is a meaningful step towards more equitably allowing all students to pursue a fuller range of summer opportunities, and we commend the board for it.

Editorials

On the Chicago Statement: Recognizing nuance and encouraging collaborative conversations around expression

In recent weeks, a faculty petition has circulated, recommending that the College adopt the Chicago Statement, a series of policies regarding disinvitation of speakers penned by the University of Chicago. The petition has produced ardent responses from students and faculty, including a student petition vehemently opposing the adoption of the Chicago Statement.

Editorials

On the cancellation of ‘Beast Thing’: Considering representation and affirming our commitment to uplifting student voices

Last week, the College’s theatre department cancelled its fall show, Beast Thing, in response to students’ concerns about the play’s potentially traumatizing content and their experiences in the show.

Many students involved in the show expressed frustration with their inability to bring their concerns about the show’s content and overall working process to the creative team. The theatre department has a responsibility to treat students with respect and to make sure that their concerns are not being invalidated or de-legitimized.

Editorials

Upholding trans rights: Why we must vote ‘yes’ on Question 3 and stand in solidarity with trans individuals

On Nov. 6, Massachusetts voters will decide on three ballot initiatives, the third of which aims to repeal anti-discrimination protections under the Commonwealth’s law for transgender and gender non-conforming individuals.

Editorials

Making summer accessible: Evaluating the burden caused by the College’s summer earnings requirement

Recently, students have brought up concerns over the College’s summer earnings requirement – the part of a student’s expected family contribution each year to be paid from money earned over the summer. This contribution is $1950 for upperclass students, $1500 for first-years and $1300 for students with low parent contributions.

Editorals

Reframing the story: On the chance for Storyboard to self-reflect and the dangers of tokenization

Last week, Storyboard, the student-run group that puts on Storytime, announced that it will be suspending Storytime in order to consider the purpose it serves in the College community and how Storytime can better itself as an organization. We at the Record commend Storyboard for taking the initiative to reflect and reorient itself so that members of the College community may get the most out of it.

Academics

Rethinking academic dishonor: Considering new policies on reporting Honor Code infractions

As part of a wider restructuring of the College’s disciplinary policies, Dean of the College Marlene Sandstrom recently announced updated guidelines on infractions considered to be “reportable,” a move which has especially affected violations of the Honor Code. In the past, any adjudication by the Honor and Discipline Committee resulting in discipline was considered a “reportable” offense, signifying that the violation would become part of the student’s formal disciplinary record and requiring the student to answer in the affirmative if asked whether they had been subject to discipline at the College.