Ten lucky students were able to share their views on racism and other relevant campus issues over lunch with College President James Freedman last week at the Collis Cafe.
"Both the students and the president brought up and discussed many important and current issues on campus," said Student Assembly Vice President of Communications Jonah Sonnenborn '99, who attended the lunch.
The bulk of the discussion focused on the recent occurrences of racism on campus.
Monica Oberkofler '96, the intern in the President's Office, said Freedman was glad he had the opportunity to discuss the issue of hate speech.
As a legal scholar, Freedman has done research on First Amendment rights and is an excellent resource for students concerning these issues, she said.
"Freedman urged all students to attend [last Friday's] rally against racism," Sonnenborn said.
Freedman said he felt the luncheon went well and, according to Oberkofler, who also attended the lunch, Freedman thought the students were engaging and their opinions were interesting.
Last October, the Student Assembly began setting up the luncheons for whenever Freedman's schedule permitted.
Last Thursday's meeting was the third such luncheon students shared with Freedman.
Although Freedman has a busy schedule this term, Oberkofler said he plans to continue with the luncheons and increase the number of them during Spring term.
Freedman is extremely interested in student opinions, likes to interact with students and hopes to have the luncheons as often as possible, Oberkofler said.
"We hope to be able to set up discussions more frequently after seeing the diverse range of students that attended and opinions that were voiced," Sonnenborn said. "The opportunity should be extended to as many students as possible."
Oberkofler said anyone interested in attending a luncheon with Freedman can contact her, and although the lunches are usually limited to 10 students, all students are welcome.
The luncheons are held in Collis because Freedman feels it is a location where students can be comfortable and "in their own territory," Oberkofler said.
In addition to these luncheons, Freedman sets several other discussion forums with students. He spoke at Sigma Nu fraternity on Feb. 1, Oberkofler said.
