So I was thinking ... about social space. Maybe you noticed in last Wednesday's D, buried in an article about new iMacs for public terminals, that the Student Assembly passed a resolution to support a document written by two students on the state of our needs for more social spaces on campus ["SA to install 16 iMacs for Blitz use," Oct. 14]. This document is the result of tons of research and input gathering, and it utilizes student response to a BlitzMail survey administered last spring. Let me be clear, before I proceed, about the fact that I have no issues with the Student Assembly -- in fact it is an organization very near and dear to my heart. I respect its leadership and members tremendously, and I know that they work very hard for their organization and the campus.
Ok, back to social space. By passing the resolution and endorsing this document, the SA has, from my perspective, sent a message to both President Wright and the Trustees that the need for social space is the most pressing concern of the undergraduate student body. They essentially say that if a new building is built, all of our problems will disappear. They want the Trustees to make this issue a campus priority.
I disagree. After spending a significant amount time arguing for space myself, I have now reached a conclusion that I really don't think space is terribly important right now. Yes, losing Webster Hall to the Special Collections Library has made an impact on programming events. Collis Common Ground is just too small for events such as the Dartmouth Asian Organization's culture night. And Leede Arena is too big for such an event. But is asking for a new building really what we want to do?
Dartmouth College has problems that band-aids -- such as new buildings -- just won't fix. A good friend of mine has helped me to realize that new buildings do not even come close to addressing some of the basic conflicts on this campus. We don't need to spend money on social space when we've got students designing and selling t-shirts that demean and hurt their peers. Or drawing cartoons that perpetuate misconceptions and things that should change in social life here. Dartmouth is all about making us happy and giving us lots of options and opportunities. But how come we aren't held accountable for our actions? Why is it that deadlines are negotiable everywhere on campus except Career Services? Why do we continue to feed the entitlement that many students insist upon?
So, what should money be spent on if not social space? How about giving it to Financial Aid so that more students who normally wouldn't be able to afford a Dartmouth education can come here? How about hiring more administrators so that the ones who are doing two or three jobs right now can spend more time with students instead of running around like crazy? How about investing in creating a community where individuals feel safe and comfortable? How about more money for Residential Education? Or the Sexual Abuse Awareness Program? Or the Peer Advisor (SAPAs, DAPAs and EDPAs) program -- solid and effective as it is, it can always be supplemented and expanded.
We live in a culture that encourages us to slam our fists down on tables and complain that we need more, when we are rarely challenged to make do with what we have and be creative. This isn't real. We need to learn that we can't always get what we want, and sometimes we should just be happy with the privileges we do have. Last Thursday's candlelight vigil for Matthew Shepard was real. I decided at the last minute that I would go to it, and it ended up being the most powerful event that I have attended in my time here. The sharing and healing that happened at the Roth Center was something that was genuine and personal and real. We didn't come up with any action plans, and we didn't create lists of what to do next. Rather, we took a few hours to stop and acknowledge our hurt and frustrations and fears, and we supported each other as people. I think we each took away something different from that night, and I think that we were all grateful for the opportunity to just stop and grieve. That vigil was a testament to the fact that there are some basic needs of students that aren't being fixed. And it taught me how important leaders are in times of pain and confusion -- we desperately want to look to someone to help us heal. Building buildings and demanding more money to provide more programming is not all that students want at Dartmouth.
And that's why I want to challenge the College. I have yet to address campus politics in a column, but social space is something I will fight. Yes, I was at the SA meeting where it was being discussed, and yes, I did voice some initial concerns. Another commitment precluded me from staying in the meeting until the vote was taken, but I still feel that I can comment on the resolution. President Wright and honorable Trustees, please stop and consider the fact that some students' basic needs are not being met. Listen to us as we cry out to you. Don't foster our sense of entitlement; instead, challenge us to be real.
