In an effort to reinitiate dialogue with some of the students most directly involved in the Student Life Initiative, Trustees met with small groups of students last night to address many of the ideas surrounding the two-year-old controversy.
The conversations were largely philosophical, according to participants, and were in no way intended to decide some of the most contentious policy questions facing the campus. They were discussions about "the same things we always talk about," said Betsy Super '02, president of Sigma Delta sorority.
The meetings, which took place during the Trustees' quarterly visit to the College, involved small groups of East Wheelock residents and graduate, Greek, and affinity students. Participants were invited by the administration, and each had several Trustees and administrators in attendance.
The meetings came hours after the Trustee committee on the Student Life Initiative met to discuss the annual Student Assembly report to the Trustees and the first annual report on the Initiative, a document compiled by members of the administration to summarize the progress of the Initiative.
The Trustee committee seems to be adopting a wait-and-see approach. "Our meeting is focused on other things. The implementation parts of the SLI are things we come informed about, but we're not really involved in," said Trustee Peter Fahey '68, who has been deeply involved in the Initiative since its inception. "A lot of the things will take a lot of time to happen. We always knew it was a 5-10 year process."
Though it is clear that no major Initiative policy will come out of this weekend's Trustee gathering, it is also clear that the decision-making body has decided to accept
recommendations made to it by administrative committees.
Referring to the Greek Life Committee, the group charged with designing the implementation of the SLI as it is related to fraternities and sororities, Fahey said: "I don't believe the Trustees will get involved in second-guessing the committee." Fahey said he supports some of the more controversial proposals being considered by the committee, like a minimum GPA for Greek membership. "It seems to me like a reasonable idea. Participation in many college activities are privileges, not rights. After all, this is a centrally educational institution," he said.
At the meeting with East Wheelock residents, which largely focused on issues related to residential life, Trustees pleaded for student advice and opinion. "We want to hear your criticisms," said Trustee Russell Carson.
Participants at the meeting with Greek leaders said their conversation was genuine, and that it centered on student life and the role of the Greek system. "The one thing that became very clear to me is that the trustees are not the administration. They don't want to micromanage," said Andrew Langworthy '02, president of Sigma Phi Epsilon.
At one point during the East Wheelock meeting, Trustee Barry MacLean '60 indicated that the Trustees are interested in significantly revamping residential life. "One of the things we have focused on in recent years is trying to develop a sense of community," he said. "And they're definitely some substantial improvements in living facilities that are necessary. I think the Choates and the River Cluster are ones that could be replaced."
Fahey surprised participants when he said, "It's free, just like the beer, right?" referring to one student's favorable comment about the newly free sports tickets.
When MacLean asked what students thought about the proposed transition to more first-year housing, he and the other Trustees in attendance seemed surprised when all but one student said they are strongly in favor of a mixed-class residential environment.
