community

Choosing to Act

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The images and first-hand accounts from Newtown during the last few days have been wrenching. The specter of vicious violence turned against the very young makes us gasp for breath, makes us question the very fabric of our society. If this kind of thing can erupt in communities like ours, what kind of community are we?

There is another image from Newtown that is powerful in a different kind of way: the image of teachers rushing into harm’s way to protect their students, to protect their school. The care and courage of principal Dawn Hochsprung, who hid others before rushing to confront the gunman, is staggering, is inspirational. In the face of violence she chose to act. We should be motivated by her example.

Just a few years ago our school was deeply scarred by gun violence when Johanna Justin-Jinich was brutally slain. At the Commencement that followed that awful event, I asked our students to join in working to curb gun violence:

The second area where we need your help is gun control. I know many regard this as a lost cause because of the passionate effectiveness of the NRA. But it is only a lost cause if we give up. Johanna’s murder should remind us all of the idiocy of our handgun regulations. The status quo is unacceptable. With more than 30,000 people dying annually from gun violence in this country, and with more than 12,000 murders committed with guns, we need you to help us enter the world of nations governed by laws, not by violence. Debates about the 2nd Amendment and about the glories of hunting need not stifle reasonable law aimed at reducing violent deaths.

Reasonable law aimed at reducing violent deaths. Is that too much to ask? We know there are policies that have worked elsewhere – in Australia, Japan, Great Britain. We will be told that these places are very different from us, and they are. That is no excuse. We should demand that our representatives enact (at a minimum) restrictions on ammunition and on automatic firearms. And we need to act immediately.

If we falter, if we think the politics too difficult or too complicated, we should remember Johanna, and we should remember Dawn. Their care and courage should inspire us to move our country to a place where students don’t have to face wild-eyed gunmen, and where teachers don’t have to lay down their lives defending their schools.

“Our hearts are broken today”

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Today we heard the shattering news of the mass shooting at an elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut. Shock, horror, and deep sadness overwhelm us as we contemplate this terrifying event. The Wesleyan family sends condolences and sympathy to all those who are suffering tonight in the wake of the shooting. President Obama spoke for many of us when he said, “Our hearts are broken today.” May compassion and a will to prevent these awful occurrences be inspired by our grief.

Conversations, Consultation and Feeling Thankful

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This past weekend, the Board of Trustees was in town for its annual November meeting. Some trustees arrived Thursday to attend classes, and in the evening they met with a group of faculty over dinner to discuss skill building and career preparation. I had the pleasure of seeing a group of inspired students and Rinde Eckert in the Theater Department’s production of The Last Days of the Old Wild Boy. I went with Kari, who had been in conversation with Rinde about the human/animal distinction for the last several months. It was an extraordinary evening, the product of great teamwork, extensive preparation, and intense performance. I was so thankful to be there and to be part of a university where this kind of work takes place.

On Friday morning, a group of women on the faculty got together with the women on the Board of Trustees. I’m told that they had very productive conversations about the challenges facing women on our campus, and that they will continue to try to find ways to make our campus a place of true gender equality. During the day on Friday, trustees, along with faculty and student representatives to the Board, worked in committees on topics ranging from energy to the honor code, from fundraising for financial aid to the use of online courses to expand the reach of our educational mission. At the end of the afternoon, several board members met in an open meeting with a few dozen students to discuss financial aid. There were good questions raised, I thought, that clarified many of the issues we’ve been discussing since February. Over dinner that night, we celebrated newly elected trustees emeriti, and student, faculty and staff accomplishments. It was a joyful evening. Reading through the remarkable work that students were doing, I felt thankful that Wesleyan continues to attract and nurture such talent.

The Board concluded its work on Saturday, and we spent a good deal of time talking about the issues that had arisen at last week’s forum on diversity. We didn’t come up with a magical solution, but there was a commitment to continue to make our campus more inclusive. I headed to the gym with Sophie to get a little exercise, and then to watch the men’s basketball team (led by Derick Beresford ’13) win the Herb Kenny Tournament in convincing fashion. Dreisen Heath ’15 powered the women’s basketball team to a big win at St. Joseph’s tip-off tournament. The men host Williams tonight (Tuesday).

On Sunday evening, I was able to attend the first half of the African Students Association’s fall presentation. There were stirring performances of poetry, drumming, music and dance. I also learned a lot from the presentations. I left to attend the WSA meeting to go over our Board of Trustees discussions with the students gathered there for their weekly meeting. The student representatives spent hours (after I left) discussing key issues facing the university. We should all be thankful for their efforts.

My final meeting Sunday night was with more than 70 high school juniors and their alumni, staff and faculty parents, who are beginning the college search process. I could see the anxiety in some faces, and in some the hopeful anticipation of young people ready to begin a new stage in their lives. I extolled the virtues of liberal arts education today, and I emphasized that in our changing economy and culture this form of learning is more relevant than ever before. Looking around the room and thinking about my interaction with students over the last several days, I told the high school students that I hoped they would find a campus community where they were able to thrive, NOT because they were with people like themselves, but because they were in a diverse, dynamic and affectionate community from which they could learn. When they found such a community, I concluded, they would be very thankful. I know I am.

There will be plenty of work to do when we come back from break. For now, Happy Thanksgiving, Wesleyans!

Moving Our Campus Community Forward

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Today I emailed the following message to Wesleyan students:

As I sat nervously watching election returns Tuesday night, I wondered how the country would digest the outcome, whatever it turned out to be. This election cycle has been so bitter and brutish, would representatives be able to work together to get things done? Would we find ways to tackle the important problems that we all know are undermining our economy and our culture?

In his victory speech, President Obama evoked the spirit of service that he also spoke about in his Wesleyan Address at Commencement in 2008. He talked about the sacrifices that people make for one another in tough times, and about the shared hope for a better future that he believed would overcome our differences. “The task,” he said, “of perfecting our union moves forward.”

At Wesleyan this year we have seen our fair share of differences on issues ranging from teaching loads for visiting professors to the possibilities of building a small cogeneration plant for backup power in the event of emergencies. The most important issue that has sowed divisions has been our decision to allocate a defined amount of the budget for financial aid, which we expect will mean we are “need-blind” for about 90% of the entering class. I think this will allow us to meet the full needs of the students who are here, preserve diversity, and keep our debt levels low while restraining future tuition increases. Others think we are abandoning not just a technique for achieving diversity but a key principle. We have our differences.

We have been discussing these issues with students, faculty, alumni and staff, even as we try to raise more funds for financial aid. For the first time in its history, Wesleyan is entering a fundraising campaign whose highest priority is endowment for financial aid. I have been traveling around the country seeking support for this campaign, and alumni and parents have been responding with great generosity. Last year we secured more than 60 million dollars in gifts and pledges, and we are keeping up that pace this year. I believe that supporting financial aid is more important now than ever, and on this, I think, we agree.

Debates about financial aid have exposed divisions within our campus community. To ensure a sustainable economic model, some think we should raise tuition more aggressively, others think we should lay off staff or faculty, while others want to cut programs they deem less important to the student experience. I’ve been listening to and participating in these debates, and I’ll continue to do so. We have significant financial resources, and we have enormous talent on this campus. We will continue to energize Wesleyan’s distinctive educational experience while working within a sustainable economic model. We have our differences, but what unites us is far more important.

In a far uglier vein, recently some have tried to exploit or create divisions in our campus community by appealing to racism and hatred. In anonymous posts on websites known for their vulgarity, homophobia and misogyny, there have been racist comments posted about Wes students and Middletown residents. They are hurtful to students of color and to all who value diversity and inclusion.  I have not spoken out on this until now because I think such comments are beneath contempt.

Students have also raised concerns about recent campus security alerts that used racial identifications in describing alleged perpetrators. Were these more hurtful than useful? I have also heard complaints from students of color who feel marginalized or intimidated by certain aspects of our campus culture. We must make diversity meaningful on campus by creating a culture of inclusion. There is work to do.

On Monday night in Beckham Hall at 7:30 pm students have organized a forum to discuss issues of race and inclusion on campus. Sonia Manjon will moderate a panel on which I will participate with student and Public Safety representatives. I hope there will be a good turnout so that we can have a frank conversation about how we can create a campus climate in which all are treated with respect. More than that, we want a campus that builds on acceptance, creating bonds of affectionate solidarity.

The project of building this community is ongoing, and I am eager to help lead it. I want students to know that I am available to meet with any group, formal or informal. I have regular office hours on Monday afternoons, and scheduled sessions with the WSA, and Argus editors during the semester. I frequently meet with student groups at various times throughout the week. The open forums I’ve held with students have been candid exchanges, and I’ve learned much from them. I’m happy to hold additional meetings of that kind. I am eager to hear your views and find ways to join forces to enable our school live up to our aspirations for it.

I am continually inspired by the talent, energy and purpose of Wesleyan students – on stage, in athletic competitions, in classrooms, studios and research labs. We are not, to paraphrase President Obama, as divided as our politics sometime suggest. We are brought together in shared hope to ensure that Wesleyan will be a champion of progressive liberal arts education for generations to come. Together, we will move our campus community forward.

Election Eve Thoughts: Can We Still Be Inspired?

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With thanks to Gabriella De Golia ’13, I am passing along some information on voting tomorrow:

  • The Middletown registrars should have updated all the residential information of registered students so as to reflect their current housing situation.
  • All students except those listed below will be voting at the Senior Center, located close to Broad St. Books at 150 Williams Street.
  • Students living in La Casa, Interfaith/Lighthouse, Full House/Writing House and Park Washington Apartments will be voting at Macdonough School, located at 66 Spring St. All other Washington St. residents will be voting at Senior Center.
  • Shuttle rides to both polling locations will be provided all day to students, leaving every ten minutes from the Wyllys Avenue entrance to Usdan.
  • It is recommended that students bring both a government-issued ID and their WesID to the polls in the event that there were confusions regarding their registration.
  • Polls are open from 6AM to 8PM. If students are in line to vote by 8PM, they can still vote even if they do not get to the voting booth before 8PM.
  • If there are any questions regarding a student’s registration status or polling location, the Registrar’s Office can be reached at (860) 344-3518 (Democratic Registrar) or (860) 344-3517 (Republican Registrar).

Students can watch returns in Usdan Cafe beginning at 7. The American Studies and Government majors will be watching returns at Woodhead Lounge.

I remember well the exuberance on campus on the night of Obama’s election in 2008. I came over to Usdan late (for me) at night to find a great celebration going on.

Even those who weren’t thrilled with Obama felt part of a historic moment. The mood seems so different this year. Is that because of the sorry state of the economy, or because of the nasty and brutish campaign run by both candidates? Is our campus more divided about our own local issues, or has our capacity for ironic distancing overwhelmed our capacity to be inspired to serve something larger than ourselves? Despite these differences, I trust Wes students will get to the polls, and that in the aftermath of the election we can find ways to work together on issues of mutual concern — both national and right here on campus.

  Here are some thoughts I posted on HuffingtonPost this past weekend.

As Election Day draws near, I find myself thinking back to Barack Obama’s 2008 Commencement Address at Wesleyan. He was just candidate Obama then, coming to the end of a tough primary fight, substituting for Ted Kennedy at our graduation ceremony. I was just finishing my first year as president of alma mater. It was a day of excitement, of hope and of inspiration.

Obama told our graduates that they should be skeptical of the notion that there were two different stories ahead of them: one the private tale of jobs and families, and the second the account of what happens in the wider world. He related how many had told him when he was graduating that he should focus on the first story: that economic security and building a family were all that really mattered. They had told him, as many were telling our undergraduates, that it was foolhardy to think you could really change the world for the better.

Candidate Obama told our graduates not to listen to such advice because it would narrow their futures and impoverish the nation. He reminded them that generations had long believed “that their story and the American story are not separate but shared.” He stressed that he himself had found his calling through service to community, through significant acts of citizenship.

Service also helped define Mitt Romney’s path to adulthood, though he doesn’t like to dwell on his time in France as a Mormon missionary or his very active efforts as a church member to help those in his community in need of assistance. He does, of course, often refer to his leadership of the 2002 Olympics, but he does so to point to his managerial expertise rather than his public service or civic engagement.

Obama’s message resonated with our graduates in 2008, and it captivated the majority of the nation by Election Day. We wanted to believe that the story of our private lives is not divorced from our public activities as citizens. How distant that message has seemed during the 2012 campaign! Over the last several months we have heard talk of taxes and of deficits, of investment and of outsourcing, of education as workforce preparation. Of course, these topics are of undeniable importance, especially in these difficult economic times. But the economic times were also difficult in the spring of 2008, and they were rapidly getting worse. Yet back then Obama chose to try to inspire us to link our ambitions for economic security to our dreams for building a more just and humane society. He chose to talk about service as well as salaries.

Why are both candidates today so reluctant to call for service? Why do they continually appeal to our desire to have our country do something for us, but rarely ask that we make personal sacrifices to improve our collective future? Have they concluded that given the tough times, they can win only be satisfying private individual’s desires, without evoking our public aspirations to create a society that fosters community and individual freedom?

In 2008, candidate Obama sounded a different note: “It’s only when you hitch your wagon to something larger than yourself that you realize your true potential and discover the role that you’ll play in writing the next great chapter in the American story.” He was right about that. As a society, we will not be admired because of the thinness of our tax rates or of our computers. Smaller tablets and more convenient apps inspire neither compassion nor greatness. We will realize our true potential as individuals and citizens when we respond to a call to protect the most vulnerable while helping others to fully develop their abilities.

Obama ended his Wesleyan address by noting that “we may disagree as Americans on certain issues and positions, but I believe that we can be unified in service to a greater good.” That belief in service to a greater good is exactly what we will need after this bitter, nasty electoral contest. We will need a call to service that will combine idealism with effectiveness, that will merge our private and public stories. We will need to hitch our wagons to something larger than ourselves. Who will try to inspire us to do so?

Thinking of the Extended Wesleyan Family

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Over the last 10 days I’ve traveled to Houston, Dallas and Chicago, with teaching and storm preparation on campus in between trips. The travels are opportunities to discuss with parents and alumni what’s been happening on campus, and to continue raising money for our highest priority, financial aid. It’s been good to meet members of the extended Wes family while also reconnecting with old friends. Their generosity and affection for Wesleyan is inspiring.

Among the most inspirational alumni and dearest friends to Wesleyan was John Woodhouse, who passed away earlier this week. John was a member of the class of ’53, a parent ‘79, and a trustee emeritus of Wesleyan.

Two true Cardinals

John served as a member of the Board of Trustees from 1976 through 1979 and again from 1980 through 1992. After retiring from the Board, John chaired the Wesleyan Campaign from 1997 through 2005, meeting with countless alumni all over the world to seek support for Wesleyan. Following the Wesleyan Campaign, John was an active member of the Development Committee (2005-2008) and, most recently, the current Campaign Council (2008-present). In recognition of his loyal service to Wesleyan, John was honored with the Baldwin Medal in 2005. He received the Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1993 during his 40th Reunion and he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Wesleyan in 1997.  He will be deeply missed by his family and friends, and all of us fortunate enough to have worked with him.

Over the last few days I’ve been hearing from Wesleyan friends who are still dealing with the aftermath of super storm Sandy. While things on campus have returned to normal, we realize that for many the hardships caused by the storm are very far from over.  Our hearts go out to all those who suffered devastating losses, and we look with admiration on the work being done to restore normalcy in these challenging times.

 

The Victories Before the Storm…On to Williamstown!

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I know that many readers of this blog are still without power and recovering from Sandy’s rain and wind. We wish you all the best as recovery from the storm continues.

We re-start classes tomorrow, and I know that several of our teams are busy practicing for the next rounds of competition. Last weekend the matches were intense!  The women’s volleyball team, led by Kate Centofanti ’14 and Monica Leslie ’14 (with terrific assists from Brenna Tharnstrom ’16) closed out its season with an impressive victory over Hamilton. Meanwhile, women’s soccer, led by the indomitable Laura Kurash ’13 and frosh sensation Isabel Clements ’16, upset top-seeded Middlebury in the NESCAC tournament. Our superb goalie combination of Jess Tollman ’15 and Rachel Hobert ’16 combined for a Wesleyan shutout.

Men’s soccer produced an exciting come-from-behind victory over Trinity in the first round of the NESCAC tournament here on campus. Walter Rodriguez ’13 and Rory O’Neill ’13 scored while Adam Purdy ’13 limited Trinity to just 1 goal.

The football team spotted Bowdoin 14 points (before I even arrived at the game!) and then went on to score 34 in a battle at Corwin Stadium. LaDarius Drew ’15, recovering from nagging injuries, had a great game, as did Jake Bussani ’14 on the defensive side. Jesse Warren ’15 was consistently strong as quarterback and as punter. Congratulations to coach Mike Whalen and the team for putting together the first winning season in a decade!

Next weekend our men’s and women’s soccer teams will be playing in the NESCAC tournament at Williams while our football squad looks to continue its winning ways. Now that the storm has passed, I know our athletes will be preparing to be at their best in this weekend’s contests. On to Williamstown!

After the Storm — Morning Update

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Update (10/30): 9:15 am

We didn’t lose power last night, and this morning we can see that cleanup can begin in earnest. Our hearts go out to those still without power or suffering from flood damage.

Here are pics I took before and after the storm in the early morning.

Before:

After:

Thanks to all the Wesleyan and Bon Appetit staff who kept us safe and fed, and thanks to the students for hanging in there! We are grateful to the Stonehedge workers who started cleaning up the grounds early this morning. We hope to have the Freeman Athletic Center and the Library open later today. Check the homepage for more information.

Update (10/29) 6:30 pm

Dinner time, and Usdan was feeding many a hungry student. The winds have picked up considerably, and so people are staying put for the night. The President’s House, I’ve learned, can really whistle as the winds blow through. But the campus is quiet. A good time to catch up on reading. Here’s the announcement that went out a short time ago. Next announcement in the morning.

Storm conditions are intensifying and are expected to intensify further. Meal service at Usdan ends at 7 pm this evening, after which students are advised to remain in their residences. Please note that the mayor of Middletown has established a curfew for the city starting at 8 pm this evening, and the “Ride” will not be running tonight.

We have no other news to report at this time, and we will send another update by mid-morning, Tuesday. Storm updates are also available at http://www.wesleyan.edu/storm or by calling the Wesleyan Info Line at 860/685-5678.

Update (10/29) 1:10 pm

Kari, Sophie and I just returned from the Usdan University Center where we had lunch with students who seemed chipper and prepared for what the storm may bring. We talked with dozens of folks who were eager to be on the other side of this storm, but also ready to hunker down tonight when we expect winds to be at their strongest. I let them know that we on the staff are here to help deal with whatever the weather brings.

Here is the announcement we sent out a short time ago:

Connecticut is predicted to experience the worst effects of Hurricane Sandy beginning later this afternoon and extending into tomorrow. Students should remain inside as much as possible after obtaining meals. Please remember to stay away from downed trees and power lines. Safety tips from Residential Life are available here:
http://www.wesleyan.edu/reslife/policies/severe%20weather_power%20outage.html

Students should remain in their residences unless otherwise notified. If power is lost, students should notify public safety. If power is lost for an extended period, we have a plan to restore power to the campus core, though that may take several hours. In preparation for possible loss of power, please keep cell phones, laptops and other devices charged.

The Usdan Center is open until 7 pm tonight and is providing meals. We expect it to be open tomorrow from 9 am to 7 pm. WesShop will be open from noon to 5 pm today. Libraries and other offices, including Freeman Athletic Center, are closed today and tomorrow.

We will send updated information by 6 pm. Important phone numbers to keep in mind are:

Physical Plant- 860 685-3400 (for problems with your house)
Public Safety 860 685-2345 (for non-emergencies)
Public Safety- 860 685-3333 (for emergencies)
For storm updates from Wesleyan: 860-685-5678
Middletown Police Department, Fire Department, or medical emergencies: 911

 

 

Update (10/28):

As many of you know, I really don’t like to cancel classes, and we have been making preparations to continue our operations tomorrow. But the latest forecasts and information from the state have led us to conclude that we should suspend normal operations. We are cancelling classes for Monday, October 29 and Tuesday, October 30.  We will provide updates for plans for Wednesday by early afternoon on Tuesday.

Faculty and those staff designated as “non-essential” should not come to work tomorrow or Tuesday. Students should stay in their residence halls as much as possible, and should certainly stay away from trees. Meals will be available in Usdan, and we will be sending scheduling information to students soon.

If you are on campus and need help with storm related matters, please call Public Safety at 860-685-2345. For emergencies, call 860-685-3333.

We will get through this with cooperation and prudence.

 

 

On Friday the following email was sent out to the campus community:

Wesleyan staff members are preparing for the arrival of Hurricane Sandy on Monday evening or Tuesday. The storm may make landfall somewhere in the New Jersey, New York, or the New England area, and it has the potential to bring strong winds, heavy rain, and flooding to Connecticut.

Wesleyan is preparing to respond to any problems resulting from the storm, including power outages. If the storm disrupts normal functioning of the University, we will alert the community via the Wesleyan homepage and e-mail. We will use our ConnectEd system for any emergency communication.

Faculty, students and staff are preparing emergency kits, and we have been meeting regularly to test our readiness for wind, rain and flooding. Last year we had our freak snowstorm, but who knows what the new normal will be? Whatever it is, we will do our best to keep our community safe and sound.

 

 

Wes Aims High

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Last week a distinguished visiting team headed by Vassar president Cappy Hill came to Wesleyan to provide an evaluation for the reaccreditation process under the aegis of NEASC – the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. The committee looked at everything from the physical plant to the finances, from the curriculum to the cuisine. Well, they didn’t really evaluate the cooking…

They arrived having already read our Self-Study, developed over the past year by a large group of Wesleyan faculty, staff and students. In that study, which readers have found remarkable for its candor and clarity, we took note of areas in which we know we can improve our performance, as well as some of the areas of which we are most proud. Lots of work went into the Self-study, and I am grateful to all those who put their time and effort into helping us understand how we can become more effective.

One of the traits that stood out to the visiting team was an intense loyalty to the university’s mission and culture. They saw a genuine commitment to Wesleyan’s wellbeing, and a fervent desire among students, faculty and staff to see it thrive. I’ve said many times that Wesleyan stands for something vital and admirable in American higher education, and it was very gratifying to see our guests respond so positively to that.

The next step in the accreditation process is the official report from NEASC, and we will doubtless learn more there. The process of self-evaluation and striving to improve never stops, of course. Together, we will continue to build a sustainable institution noted for “talented faculty” and offering a “superb education” (I’m pleased to quote Cappy here). We will continue to energize the distinctive learning experience we offer and support bold and rigorous scholarship and teaching. Wes aims to provide a transformative education that never stops. Wes aims to shape the future through lifelong learning, through research, through artistic practice. Wes aims high.

 

Election Season: Listen, Discuss, Vote

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There is a definite nip in the air, and each day the sun seems just a little more apathetic as it makes its way over the Connecticut River Valley. Fall is here. So are political elections, and the air has been ringing with the sounds of…nastiness. As the Wesleyan Media Project has shown, both sides are playing the negative game. Here in Connecticut, we are treated every day to a barrage of negative advertising in a Senate race pitting a very rich wrestling magnate against a congressman trying to replace Joe Lieberman. Watching this slug-fest is even less entertaining than watching pseudo-wrestling. We’ve all seen fakery before, and so it’s easy to become cynical about the mudslinging.

It’s easy to become cynical about the political process, too, but that would be a big mistake. This election offers some of the starkest choices that American voters have been faced with in generations. This is a time for students to make their voices heard – whomever you are supporting in November. Wesleyan students have a long history of civic engagement – I saw that first-hand when I met with a large group of concerned students last week to talk about financial aid. You can see a video of the forum here. Public support for education in general and student aid in particular are very much in play in this election – and of course that’s just one of many issues on which candidates differ.

Tomorrow (Wed) night some Wesleyan student groups have set up PAC 001 so that the campus community can watch the presidential debate from 9-10:30pm. Usdan will also have snacks and debate in the café area.

If you plan to vote in Connecticut and haven’t registered yet, there’s still time to register. The website of CT’s Secretary of State has all the information you need.

It’s election season. Participate in the process: listen, discuss. And then let’s turn out to vote!