report of the task force on institutional racism · difficult for all members of the st. olaf...
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ReportoftheSt.OlafTaskForceonInstitutionalRacismSeptember1,2017
INTRODUCTION ThisintroductionseekstoprovidesomecontextanddescriptionoftheworkoftheSt.OlafTaskForceOnInstitutionalRacism.Itincludesthefollowingsections:1.WhyandhowtheTaskForcewasformed2.Definitionsofsomekeytermsinourreport3.Ourworkduringthesummerof20174.Theformatofthereport5.AdescriptionoftheTitleVIWorkingGroupthatwerecommendtobeformedtofollowuponourworkandrecommendations,andtoadviseandassesstheongoingworkoftheCollegetoeducateaboutandreduceinstitutionalracismoncampus.1.WhyandhowtheTaskForcewasformed
Severalincidentsofhatespeechand/orhatecrimesoccurredatSt.Olafduringthe2016-2017academicyear.ParticularlythreateningincidentsoccurredinApril,whichledtoalarge-scalestudentprotestonApril29,2017andacampus-wideprotestandcancellationofclassesonMay1,2017.DuringthecourseoftheprotestonMay1,meetingsandnegotiationstookplacebetweenmembersoftheCollectiveforChangeontheHillandPresidentAndersonandmembersofhisPresident’sLeadershipTeam(PLT).
TheTaskForceonInstitutionalRacismwasofficiallyapprovedbythePresidentandtheCollectiveonMay22,2017asoneoftheTermsandConditionsofNegotiationbetweenPresidentAndersonandtheCollectiveforChangeontheHillonhowtoaddresstheListofDemandsmadebytheCollective.Detailsabouttheprocess,chronologyandnegotiationsregardingtheTaskForcecanbefoundontheCollective’swebsite(https://www.acollectiveforchangeonthehill.com)andontheCollege’sDiversityandInclusionInitiativewebsite(https://wp.stolaf.edu/dii/). Theeventsofthe2016-2017yearandofSpring2017inparticularwereverydifficultforallmembersoftheSt.Olafcommunity,andmuchworkwillneedtobedonebyallofusheretomakeitabetterplaceforallofus,andespeciallyforpeopleofcolorandmarginalizedpeopleinourcommunity.Thiswillincludelearning,listeningandworkingtogethertorebuildtrustandtohealwounds,aswellastoestablishpoliciesandpracticesthatwillhelptoreducealltypesofracism,discriminationandbiashere,andtomonitorandadjudicateviolationsofthosepolicies.
Manypeoplehavebeeninvolvedinthesepositiveandconstructivegoalsandactivities,buttheCollectiveforChangeontheHillstandsoutasakeyorganizationinthis
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regard,andthusmeritsapublicacknowledgmentoftheimportanceoftheirwork.Whilenoteveryoneoncampusnecessarilyagreeswithalloftheirpositionsordemands,theirworkwasessentialinbringingthecampustothenecessaryawarenessoftheneedforsignificantworkbyallofustomakeSt.Olafabetterplace.Indeed,ifithadnotbeenfortheCollective,thisTaskForcewouldnothavebeenformed,andourworkwouldnothavetakenplace.2.Definitionsofsomekeytermsinourreport Oneofthemostimportanttermsforourwork,andfortheongoingworkoftheCollegeandmostinstitutionsofhighereducationtoday,isinstitutionalracism.Thereisanextensivebodyofacademicliteratureonracismanditsdifferentforms,butforourpurposeswewillprovideonlyabriefdefinitionanddistinctionbetweenindividualracismandinstitutionalracism(https://assets.aspeninstitute.org/content/uploads/files/content/docs/rcc/RCC-Structural-Racism-Glossary.pdf):IndividualRacism:Individualracismcanincludeface-to-faceorcovertactionstowardapersonthatintentionallyexpressprejudice,hateorbiasbasedonrace.InstitutionalRacism:Institutionalracismreferstothepoliciesandpracticeswithinandacrossinstitutionsthat,intentionallyornot,produceoutcomesthatchronicallyfavor,orputaracialgroupatadisadvantage.
Becauseitisvisibleandoftenexplicitandintentional,individualracismiswhatmostcommonlygetsidentifiedasracisminUSsocietyingeneral.Whileindividualracismandinstitutionalracismareinterrelatedasformsofracism,weareusingtheterminstitutionalracisminthisreportpreciselytoemphasizeandrefertopoliciesandpracticesofSt.Olafasaninstitutionthatproduceoutcomesthatchronicallyfavoroneracialgroupwhilechronicallyputtingothersatadisadvantage.
Givenhowchargedthetermracismisformanypeople,itisessentialtobeclearthatinstitutionalracismaswediscussithereisfocusedonthegenerallyunawareandunintentionalwaysinwhichpoliciesandpracticesoftheCollegedisadvantagepeopleofcolorinourcommunity.Thatistosay,wearenotstatingorimplyingthateitherSt.OlafCollegeasawhole,orthevastmajorityofthemembersofourcommunity,areintentionallyoractivelyracistintheindividualsenseofexpressingprejudice,hateorbiasbasedonrace.
Ourgoalhereistohelpusallbetteridentify,understandandreducethewaysinwhichweasaninstitutionunintentionallydisadvantagepeopleofcolor.Wehopethatthedemandsandourrecommendationsaboutthemwillfurtherclarifythedifferencebetweenindividualandinstitutionalracism.ThegoalofthisTaskForceistobeconstructiveandpositiveinhelpingusmoveforwardinlearningaboutthevariouswaysinwhich
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institutionalracismmanifestsitselfatSt.Olaf,andtoworkagainstitsharmfuleffectsonallmembersofourcommunity.Asaninstitutionofhigherlearning,wearefortunateinthisregardthatlearningisatthecoreofwhatwedo.3.Ourworkduringthesummerof2017
TheTaskForcewasconstitutedbythefollowingmembers:FacultyCo-Chairs:AssociateProfessorJoanHepburn,DepartmentofEnglish;AssociateProfessorChrisChiappari,DepartmentofSociology/AnthropologyStudents:SuSuAlmousa’19,AtefehAlavi’20,YishuDai’18Alumni:ThomasFiebiger’78,SheridanBlanford’15President’sLeadershipTeam:CarlCrosbyLehmann’91,VicePresidentandGeneralCounsel1
Withafewexceptions,theTaskForcemetweeklyonTuesdayeveningsfrom7-9pm(theexceptionswereourinitialorganizationalmeetingonMay24,theFourthofJulyholiday,anadditionalmeetingonMonday,August28,andourfinalthree-hourmeetingonAugust29).OurchargeasaTaskForcewas:
“ToconsiderthedemandspresentedbytheCollectiveforChangeontheHillandtheresponsetothosedemandsfromthePresident’sLeadershipTeam,andtomakeanyrecommendationsregardingthedemandsbySeptember1,2017.”(https://wp.stolaf.edu/dii/task-force/)
WehadinterestingandinformativediscussionsaboutthedemandsandthePLTresponses,andvariousrelatedissues.Butgiventhechargedandcomplexcharacteroftheissueswediscussed,therewerealsodifficultandemotionalconversationsalongtheway.Weallagreed,however,thatthetaskwasimportantandnecessary,andthattheexperiencewasveryproductive.
Duetotimeconstraintsandthelimitsofourcharge,wedidnotmeetwithanyindividualswhoseworkattheCollegerelatestoanyoftheissueswediscussedasaTaskForce.Someemailinquiriesweremadeaboutsomeoftheproposedpoliciesandpracticesthatwerebeingconsideredorthatwerescheduledtobeimplementedinthefallof2017,andwereceivedhelpfulinformationinresponse.OneofouroverallrecommendationsasaTaskForceistheformationofaTitleVIWorkingGroup(describedbelow)thatwillfollowuponthesepoliciesandpractices,aswellastalkwithvariousmembersandstakeholdersoftheCollegetogatherinformationaboutcurrentpractices,policiesandneedsoftheCollegerelatingtotheseissues.
1 CarlCrosbyLehmannhasrequestedthathisnamenotappearasasignatoryonthefinalreport.
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Aswillbeseeninthedemandsandourrecommendationsbelow,wediscussedseveralofficesorunitsoftheCollegeinrelationtocurrentpracticesandpolicies.ThecriticalperspectivesandperceptionsofmembersoftheTaskForceand/orofothermembersofthecommunityarenotintendedtoblindlycriticizeanyofficeormemberofourcommunity,butrathertoexpressand/orraiseissues,critiquesandexperiencesthatsomemembersofthecommunityhaveorhavehadrelatingtoinstitutionalracism.OurhopeisthattheTitleVIWorkingGroupwillbeabletogatherrelevantquantitativeandqualitativedataaboutthepracticesdiscussedand/orcritiquedbelow.SomeoftheworktobefundedbytheToIncludeistoExcelgrantmightalsobeabletogathersomeofthisrelevantdata.
Finally,abriefnoteneedstobemadeaboutthereportandourtimeline.Wefacedseveralchallengesinourworkthissummer,butaconstantonewastime.ItwasarealchallengetobeabletodiscussallthedemandsandPLTresponses,andasaresultwescheduledadditionaltimeformeetingsduringthefinalweekofAugust.Thedraftingofthereportinvolvedasignificantadditionalamountofwork,andwehadatighttimeframeinwhichtocompleteit.InordertohavetimeforallofustoreviewandrevisevariousdraftsofthereportduringWeekZeroofthe2017-2018academicyear,weagreedthatitwouldbebesttohaveanextratwodaysbeyondourinitialSeptember1deadline,toreviewandpolishourreportbeforewereleasedittotheCollege,theCollectiveandtothepublic.
4.Theformatofthereport TheformatofourreportincludeseachdemandandthePLTresponsetoit,followedbyabriefsummaryofourdiscussionandrecommendation.ItshouldbenotedthatthePLTresponsesquotedhereweremadeinreferencetoanearlierdraftoftheListofDemands.TheCollectivereleasedanupdatedversionoftheListofDemandsonMay22,andthatistheversionthatourTaskForceusedforourdiscussionsandinthepreparationofthisreport.5.AdescriptionoftheTitleVIWorkingGroupthatwerecommendtobeformedtofollowuponourworkandrecommendations,andtoadviseandassesstheongoingworkoftheCollegetoeducateaboutandreduceinstitutionalracismoncampus.
GiventhescopeofourtaskofaddressingtheCollective’sdemandsandthePLTresponses,andthelargerandongoingprocessofimplementingandevaluatingthevariouspoliciesandpracticesrecommendedintheListofDemands(includingthosewhichtheCollegealreadybegantoimplementduringsummer2017),itwascleartousfromthebeginningthattherewouldneedtobesomeentitythatwouldfollowuponourworkandtocontinuetheongoingworkoftheCollegerelatingtotheimplementationandevaluationofthepoliciesandpracticesproposed.FurtherresearchanddiscussionwithvariousstakeholdersintheCollegecommunity,andvariousadministrativeofficesandunitsoftheCollege,whoseworkrelatestotheissueswediscussed,isstillrequired.
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WeareproposingthenameofthisgrouptobetheSt.OlafTitleVIWorkingGroup.TitleVIofthe1964CivilRightsActisfederallegislationthat“prohibitsdiscriminationonthebasisofrace,color,andnationalorigininprogramsandactivitiesreceivingfederalfinancialassistance”(https://www.justice.gov/crt/fcs/TitleVI-Overview).Wearenotweddedtothisname,butithastheadvantageofreferringtofederallegislation(likeTitleIX).AnalternativenamecouldbetheSt.OlafWorkingGrouponInstitutionalRacism.
Whatevernameisultimatelychosenforthisworkinggroup,whatismostimportantaboutitisthatitbeformedinthemosttransparentandcollaborativewaypossible.ThegroupmustincludemembersofallstakeholdersoftheCollege:students(includingsomemembersoftheCollectiveforChangeontheHill),faculty,staff,andalumni.Someexpertsinrelevantareasshouldalsobeincludedinthegroup(aswasdoneintheTitleIXWorkingGroup).
Theproposalornominationofitsmembersmustbemadeinconsultationwithcurrentstudents(includingsomemembersoftheCollective),faculty,staffandalumni.Thiswillbeessentialifthegroupistobesuccessfulincarryingoutitsworkinacollaborativeandtransparentway.ItwillalsobeessentialforthegrouptobeconstitutedassoonaspossibleduringFall2017semester.DEMANDSANDRECOMMENDATIONSArticleI.A.RemovalofArneChristensonfromtheAdvisoryBoardoftheInstituteofFreedomandCommunityDemand:WedemandtheremovalofArneChristensonfromtheAdvisoryBoardofTheInstituteforFreedom&Community.GivenMr.Christenson’spositionastheManagingDirectorofPolicyandPoliticsfortheAmericanIsraelPublicAffairsCommittee,St.OlafCollegeriskshisinfluenceuponthespeakersbroughttotheschool,theeducationalofferings,facultydevelopmentworkshops,andscholarshipssanctionedbytheInstitute.1.ThejustificationsfortheremovalofArneChristensonarepresentintheRemoveAIPACExecChristensonfromOlaf’sInstituteforFreedomandCommunityAdvisoryBoardbyOlesforJusticeinPalestine[seebelow].2.Additionally,wedemandthattheadministrationdevelopsanapparatusfortransparencywithregardstothefundingoftheInstituteforFreedomandCommunity,bothduringtheacademicyearandthesummersessions.ExcerptsfromRemoveAIPACExecChristensonfromOlaf’sInstituteforFreedomandCommunityAdvisoryBoardbyOlesforJusticeinPalestine(https://www.change.org/p/st-olaf-college-board-of-regents-remove-aipac-exec-christenson-from-olaf-s-institute-for-freedom-community-advisory-board):
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WedoubtMr.Christenson’scapacitytoexerttheobjectivityneededtoaccomplishthegoalsoftheInstitute’sAdvisoryBoardduetohiscontinuedleadershipintheAmericanIsraelPublicAffairsCommittee(AIPAC).
AIPAChasahistoryofactivelylobbyingforthepassageoflegislationthataimstolimitfreedomofinquiryandexpressiononcollegecampuses.Themostrecentexampleofthispatterncomesfrom2016,whenAIPACsupportedtheAnti-SemitismAwarenessAct(H.R.6421),whichwasdeemedunconstitutionalbymultiplesources.
AIPAChasalsoreleasedpublicationsthatattempttovilifypro-Palestinianactivistsoncollegecampuses.Oneofthesepublications,TheAIPACCollegeGuide:Exposingtheanti-Israelcampaignoncampus(1984),fromwhichAIPAChasneverdistanceditself,profilesanti-IsraeladvocacyfromstudentsandfacultyonmorethanonehundredU.S.campuses.Inthisbook,AIPACdelineatesitsstrategiesfor“defeatingthe[pro-Palestinian]campaign”oncollegecampuses.“StrengtheningandexpandingAIPAC’scampuspresence”isthefirstofthesestrategies.“AIPAC,throughitspresenceoncampus,armsIsrael’sfriendswiththeinformationandtrainingtheyneedtodealeffectivelywiththeanti-Israelcampaign.”TheappointmentofAIPAC’sManagingDirectorforPolicyandPoliticstotheAdvisoryBoardindisputablyconstitutes“AIPACpresenceoncampus.”
PLTResponse:Thisdemandisself-explanatory.Mr.Christenson,agraduateofSt.Olafandawell-knownandrespectedfigureinWashington,D.C.,isManagingDirectorofAIPAC,theAmerican-IsraelPublicAffairsCommittee.ThesuggestiontohavehimengagedwiththeInstitutewasbasedonhisknowledgeofgovernmentandexperienceinD.C.,notonhistiestoAIPAC.HedoesnotrepresentAIPAContheInstitute’sAdvisoryBoard.AIPACdescribesitselfas“America’sPro-IsraelLobby.”AIPACisalegitimateorganizationthatplaysanacknowledgedroleinourdemocracybylobbyingonbehalfofinterestsitsupports.Inthelastpresidentialelection,mostmajorcandidatesfrombothpartiesmadepresentationstoAIPAC.ThisisagoodbarometerofwhetheritisafringeorganizationorapartofthefabricofAmericanpoliticallife.DenyingMr.ChristensonengagementwiththeCollegebecausesomedisagreewithhispoliticalbeliefsviolatesacademicfreedom.Mr.ChristensonservesontheAdvisoryBoardoftheInstituteforFreedomandCommunity.InthatroleneitherhenoranyothermemberoftheBoarddetermineswhichspeakersarebroughttocampus,orinfluenceseducationalofferings,facultydevelopmentworkshops,orscholarships.MembersoftheAdvisoryBoardadvocatefortheInstitute,reviewitsofferingstoensurethatitisfulfillingitsmission,andsupporttheDirector.Indeed,duringMr.
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Christenson’stimeontheAdvisoryBoard,whentheInstitutesponsoredprogrammingontheMiddleEast,itwasfromapro-Palestinianperspective.LikeotherprogramsattheCollege,theInstituteissupportedbygifts.AllofthedonorsthatsupportitarealumniofSt.Olaf.TheInstituteoperateswiththesameleveloftransparencyassimilarprogramsatSt.Olaf.SummarizedDiscussion:TheoriginsforthisdemandlieintheextremelackoftransparencysurroundingMr.Christenson’svisittocampusinMarch2016,andhissubsequentappointmenttotheAdvisoryBoardoftheInstituteforFreedomandCommunityinMay2016.Ascanbeseeninthedemand(includingtheexcerptsfromtheOJPpetition)andthePLTresponse,thespecificproblemisMr.Christenson’sroleontheAdvisoryBoard,givenhishigh-levelpositioninAIPAC,andthelackoftransparencysurroundingfundingoftheInstitute.Forhistoricalcontext,thelackoftransparencyabouttheformation,thename,thesourcesoffunding,andthegovernanceoftheInstituteitselfhadcreatedsomesignificantdistrustandoppositiontoitfromthestart.ThesignificantandongoingtensionsaroundtheInstituteinfactresultedinayear-longdiscussionduring2015-2016amongfacultyaboutthepracticesofsharedgovernanceoftheCollegebytheBoardofRegents,thepresidentandthefaculty.Mr.Christenson’svisitandappointmenttotheAdvisoryBoardduringthespringofthatyearthusaggravatedthealreadysignificantdistrustabouttheInstituteanditsfunding.Wehadextendedandsometimesheateddiscussionsaboutthisdemand,giventhatitcentersonthekeyissuesofacademicfreedomandtransparency.OurdiscussionsendeduprevolvingsignificantlyaroundthelackoftransparencyaboutthefundingoftheInstituteandtherelationshipandroleoftheAdvisoryBoardinitsoperation.ThiswasbecausethedonorswereanonymousandanAdvisoryBoardwasappointedwithinitiallynoinformationprovidedtotheCollegecommunityabouttheneedforit,sincetheInstitutealreadyhadtheDirector’sCouncil,noraboutthechoiceofitsmembers,especiallyMr.Christenson.TheAdvisoryBoardisnowlistedontheInstitute’swebpage,itsrolebeingthefollowing:“TheInstituteAdvisoryBoard,appointedbytheChairoftheCollege’sBoardofRegents,advisesthedirectorofTheInstitutewithaparticulareyetoensuringthatTheInstitutefulfillsitsmissionandthushonorstheagreementsmadewiththedonorswhosupportitswork.”(http://institute.stolaf.edu/).Whilethisprovidesakindoftransparency,severalmembersoftheTaskForceraisedthequestionabouttheneedforsuchasizableboardinordertoensurethatitfulfillsitsmission.
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TaskForceRecommendations:Aftermultiplediscussions,wedecidedthatthisdemandstemsfromanunderlyingconcernfortherealorperceivedlackoftransparencyindonationstotheInstitute.Therearemultiplevoicesonthetaskforce--someseetransparencyasnotarealandunderlyingproblemwhileotherssuggestedtheneedforimprovement.SomeoftheconcernsaroseoutoftheInstitute’sformationanditsuniquestructureattheCollegethatcreatedahistoryofappointmentsandpositionsofinfluencehappeningwithoutadequateexplanationorrationalebeingprovidedtothecommunityatlarge.RegardingthedemandaboutremovalofArneChristenson,therewasnoconsensusamongtheTaskForcememberstorecommendthatArneChristensonbetakenofftheInstitute’sAdvisoryBoard.TherewasconcernamongourgroupaboutthelackoftransparencyinhowArneChristensonendedupontheInstitute’sAdvisoryBoard.TherewasconcernamongourgroupaboutthefactthatthereisnootherentityliketheInstituteattheCollegesothereisnorealcomparisonavailableregardinghowbusinessisconducted.TherewereconcernsamongourgroupaboutwhattheactualrolesofthemembersoftheAdvisoryBoardwere,inpractice,versuswhatisofficiallyrepresentedastheirroles.OnepersoninourgroupexpressedconcernthattheCollegecanandshouldbeabletoacceptanonymousgifts,andknowingwhatagiftisandhowitisbeingutilizedbytheCollegeisadifferentissuefromidentifyingwhois/arethedonor(s).ThatpersonalsothoughtthattheInstituteisworkingtobetransparentintermsofitsmission,programming(pastandfuture),anditsleadershipandadvisoryboard.
TherewasconsensusamongtheTaskForcethatcontinueddialogueisessentialbetweentheInstitute,theCollege,theCollectiveandtheSt.OlafcommunityregardingwhattransparencyattheInstituteneedstobemovingforward,andhowthemembersareselectedtoserveontheAdvisoryBoardandtheinputtheyactuallyprovidetheInstituteonitsmissionandprogramming.ArticleI.B.ImplementationofRacialSensitivityTraining:Demand:WedemandtheimplementationofanequivalentandmandatoryracialandculturalsensitivitytrainingsessionsimilartotheThinkAboutItandBystanderTrainingthatisenforcedonWeekOneforallincomingfirst-years.10Thistrainingwouldbeconductedin
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personandonline.Thecompletionoftheonlineportionwilldeterminestudent’saccessibilitytoregistration.ThisneedstobeimplementedbytheFallof2019.ThisshouldbedoneinadditiontoArticleIII,SectionE.PLTResponse:Thisdemandsignalsadesiretoprovidestudentswithtrainingthatwillpreventincidentsofracialbiasandharassment.WearealreadyplanningtoincludemandatoryonlinetrainingforstudentsstartingwiththeFall2017semesterandtoincludesessionsondiversityandinclusionaspartofWeekOne.WewanttocontinuetoexploreeffectiveandengagingtrainingmethodsandwelcomerecommendationsfromtheTaskForce,includinghowtoensure100%participation.SummarizedDiscussion:ThedemandsI.B.forracialsensitivitytrainingandI.C.forSustainedDialoguesarerelated.TheTaskForceacknowledgestheimportanceofracialsensitivitytrainingatSt.OlafCollege,butrealizingthechallengethatimplementationpresentsweplannedfurtherdiscussion.Initially,wediscussedavailableresourcesonlineandexploredwhentoscheduletheonlinetraining.Withregardtolonger-terminstruction,weconsideredthespecialneedsofathletesandmusicians,andquestionedwhethertooffercertificatesorGEcreditsorstipends.Weaskedhowtoguaranteeregularattendanceandqualityofexperience,andwhatsortofdynamicsfosterstrustandbuildscommunity.Weaddressedthelimitsofthe“ThinkAboutIt”module,askedwhetherfaculty,staff,andadministratorsshouldundergomandatorytraining,anddiscussedthestrengthsofSustainedDialogueandothermodels.Wealsowonderedwhatstudentsshoulddoaboutinsensitiveremarksthatsomefacultymightmakeandwhatreadingsonracewerecommend.TaskForceRecommendations:MembersoftheTaskForceagreethatallmembersoftheSt.Olafcommunityneedracialsensitivitytrainingandthatsometrainingbeon-going,whetherinbite-sizedorlargechunks.St.OlafhasalreadyrespondedtotheCollective’sdemandforthiscampus-wide.TheCollegehasimplementedanonlineprogramthatbeginsthisfall.Thisnewprogramprovessubstantiveandisaboutanhourlong.Itisatleastasrigorousasthetrainingrequiredforsexualassault.OurTaskForcealsodiscussedtrainingforstaffandfaculty.WeunderstandthattheCollegewillbeimplementingasimilartrainingprogramasthestudenttraining,andwebelievethistrainingshouldalsobemandatory.WealsodiscussedthelimitationsofasingletrainingprogramandhowbetterresultscouldlikelybeachievedbyadoptingasustainedandongoingtrainingprogramforallmembersoftheSt.Olafcommunitythroughouttheacademicyear.ArticleI.C.MandatorySustainedDialogueParticipationDemand:
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WedemandthatSt.OlafCollegeenforcesamandatorySustainedDialogueparticipationforallstudentathletes(morespecificallyvarsityathletes),MembersofStudentGovernmentExecutiveTeam,andStudentSenate.1.ThisentailsparticipationinaSustainedDialogueProgramforatleastthelengthofasemester(whethermadespecificallyfortheteamortheCollege-wideprogramswhichareopentoallStOlafstudents,faculty,andstaff).Varsitystudentathleteswanttobeheardandincludedwithintherestofthestudentbody.Thesedialoguesfosteranenvironmentthatbridgesthegapbetweenpeoplewhoarenotteammatesorfellowathletes.2.TheremustbemandatorySustainedDialoguefacilitatortrainingforallcoachesandstudentleadersofathleticteamsincluding,butnotlimitedto,teamcaptains,vicecaptains,membersofStudentAthleticAdvisoryBoard(SAAB),MembersofStudentGovernmentExecutiveTeam,andStudentSenate.PLTResponse:Thisdemandseeksmandatorydiversitytrainingforcertaingroupsofstudents.WerecommendthattheTaskForceconsiderwhetherthereshouldbefocusedtraining,inadditiontothetrainingallstudentswillalreadybereceiving,forspecificstudentgroups.SummarizedDiscussion:TheTaskForceconsideredtheCollective’sdemandforCollege-wideparticipationinSustainedDialogue.Thissemester-longprogramrequiresstudents,staff,andadministratorstobeparticipantsormoderators.Thisnon-hierarchicalprogramhavingmultiplemoderatorsdemandsregularattendancetobuildcommunity.Varsityathletes,captains,advisoryboardmembers,musiciansorthosewhoholdpositionsinstudentgovernmentorserveontheSenate--allhavetightschedules.Still,membersoftheCollectiveperceiveSustainedDialogueascrucialtoclimatechangeatSt.Olaf.Theywanttomakeitmandatory.PonderingthedifficultyofmakingSustainedDialoguemandatory,weconsideredafocusonrace,comparedracesensitivitytrainingtorequirementsforsexualviolence,anddiscussedwhatthelawrequires.TheTaskForceagreesthattheprogramisagoodone,asgroupparticipantsdeterminetheirfocus,dynamics,andlevelofengagement.Theproblemremainshowbesttoeffectivelyimplementitcampus-wide.TaskForceRecommendations:Wesupporthavingaprogramthatfacilitatesdialogueandconversationarounddifficulttopics.WerecommendpartneringwithstudentgroupsoncampustoidentifyopportunitiesformoreparticipationinSustainedDialogue.TheSustainedDialogueprogramtakesseriouslyaninstitutionalcommitmenttostructuralchange.St.Olafmustdecidewhetherit’sreadyforachangeofclimate.TheCollegemustacknowledgeaneedforitbeforeattemptingtofindopportunitiesfordialogueandfittingitintoourcommunitylife,academicschedules,GEcredits,orrewardsystems.TheTaskForcerecommendstheCollegefacilitatecontinueddialogueamongstakeholdersregardingtheseconsiderations.WhiletheTaskForceformednoclearconsensusforrequiringallfaculty,staffandstudents
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toenrollinSustainedDialogues,werecommendtheCollegefindcreativewaystoadaptthisprogramtoourneeds.ArticleI.D.TitleVICoordinatorDemand:Wedemandthatathird-partybehired,trained,andversedinTitleVIregulationsandbeabletofacilitatedialogueaboutcampusracerelationsandtensions.ThisshouldbeimplementedbyFall2017,alongsidetheStrategicPlanmentionedinArticleII,SectionA.TitleVIHiretoFacilitateDialogue.PLTResponse:Wearenotcertainwhatismeantherebya“thirdparty”norexactlywhatthispersonorentitywoulddootherthanfacilitatedialogue.WerecommendthattheTaskForceseektounderstandexactlywhattheroleofthisthirdpartywouldbeandthenconsiderthisideainlightofresourcesalreadyavailableattheCollege.SummarizedDiscussion:Ourdiscussionofthisdemandrevolvedaroundthecoreofthedemanditself:theneedforanewpositiononcampustobefilledbysomeonewithexpertiseinTitleVIregulations.ExpertiseandexperiencewithTitleVIisessentialforthisposition.Andgiventhedutiesitwouldrequire,weagreeditcannotreasonablybefilledbyanycurrentemployeeoftheCollege.Furthermore,weallagreedthatitisessentialfortheCollegetodedicateresourcestothispositionbothbecauseoftheimportanceoftherolethispersonwouldplayoncampus,andbecauseitwoulddemonstrateastrongandclearcommitmenttoaddressingcampusracerelationsandtensions,andtofacilitatingdialogueaboutthem,inrelationtoTitleVIlegislationandnationalbestpractices.TaskForceRecommendations:WerecommendthattheCollegehireanindividualknowledgeableintheregulationsandlawrelatingtoTitleVIoftheCivilRightsActof1964,asamended.Thehiringprocessshouldbeginimmediately,withthegoalofhavingsomeoneinplacenolaterthantheendofthe2017-2018academicyear.Thepositioncaninitiallybeparttime,dependingonworkload.TheCollegeshouldconsultwiththeCollectivefortheirinputandvisionforthispositionbeforeproceedingwiththeformalhiringprocess.Thepersonhiredwillmonitorandevaluatetheimplementationofallthenewpoliciesandprogramstobecreated,facilitatedandimplementedbytheCollegetoaddressinstitutionalracismoncampus.ThepersoninthepositionshouldprovidethesemesterupdatesreferencedintherecommendationregardingDemandV.C.,facilitateopportunitiesforcontinueddialogueaboutcampusracerelationsandtensions,andprovideregularwrittenreportstothe
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PresidentandSt.Olafcommunityconsistentwiththespiritoftheserecommendationsandaspermittedbylaw.Startinginthefallof2018,andcontinuingannuallythereafter,thepersoninthispositionshouldgiveapresentationtoallincomingfirstyearstudentsduringWeek1,astheCollegehasbeendoingrecentlyonTitleIXandsexualassault.Therewasconsensusthatongoingtransparencydemandsthisindependentpositionbecreated,separateandapartfromexistingpositionsattheCollege.ThepersoninthispositionshouldreportdirectlytothePresident.ArticleI.E.AdministrationAcknowledgementofOccupiedDakotaLandDemand:WedemandthattheadministrationacknowledgeinapublicmannerthatthisinstitutionisbuiltonoccupiedDakotalandandtheoriginaloccupantswerevictimsofgenocideandforcedremoval.PLTResponse:Thisdemandisself-explanatory.ThisisamatterthataffectstheentireregioninwhichSt.Olafislocated,notjustthecampus,anditreferstoactionsthatpre-datethefoundingoftheCollege.WerecommendthattheTaskForceconsiderhowbesttorespondtothisdemand.SummarizedDiscussion:ThelanduponwhichtheSt.OlafCollegecampusislocatedisamongthe24millionacresoftheTerritoryofMinnesotathatwerecededtotheUnitedStatesinthe1851TreatyofTraversedeSiouxwiththeWahpetonandSissetonbandsofUpperDakota.WhentheUnitedStatesfailedtohonorthisandothertreaties,theDakotaWarof1862ensued.Yearslater,theHillwasacquiredbytheCollege’sfoundersinaprivatesalefromaNorthfieldfarmer.WebelievetheCollegecanandshouldrecognizethedarkhistoryoftheUnitedStates’treatmentofNativePeoplesincludingontheverylandwhereourCollegeislocated.TaskForceRecommendations:TheTaskForceagreesthattheCollegeshouldpubliclyacknowledgethattheCollegeisbuiltonoccupiedDakotaland,andthattheoriginaloccupantswerevictimsofgenocideandforcedremoval.Werecommendfurtherstudyoftheprovenanceofthislandtobestacknowledgethehistory,andthatthisinformationbepostedandpubliclyannouncedontheCollege’swebsitebyJanuary1,2018.TheCollegeshouldalsorecognizetheimportanceandhistoryoftheHillinrelationtoDakotalandinarecurringway,ratherthaninonlyasingleevent.Inaddition,werecommendtheCollegeinviteindividualsfromtheDakotapeopletocampus,totalkaboutthehistoryofthearea,asaneducationaleventandanimportantactofethicalbehaviorandgoodwill.
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ArticleII.A.Strategic10-YearDiversityPlanforFacultyandStaffDemand:WedemandthattheCollegecomposesandcommitstoastrategic10-yearplanbytheendoftheFallof2017.Thisplan’sfocuswillbetoincreaserecruitmentandretentionofIndigenous,Black/African-American,Latinx-American,Asian-American,Multiracial,andNon-Americanfacultyandstaffmembersacrossallacademicdisciplinesandadministrativedepartments.1.PublishareportattheendofeachacademicyearhighlightinghowtheadministrationhasbeenmeetingGoalIIIofTheStrategicPlan.PLTResponse:Werecognizetheimportanceofstaff,faculty,andstudentdiversity.Thatiswhyit’sakeygoalstatedinourStrategicPlanestablishedin2011andupdatedin2015.Thatgoalis:to“Increasetheracial,ethnic,andgeographicdiversityofSt.Olafstudents,faculty,andstaffA.Increasebyatleast1%thepercentageofdomesticminoritystudentsenrollingeachyear.B.Increasesustainedengagementamongstudentswhoaredemographicallydifferentfromoneanother,sothatbyspring2018,St.Olaf’s“DiscussionswithDiverseOthers”engagementindicatorintheNationalSurveyofStudentEngagementexceedsthemeanindicatorforotherbaccalaureatecolleges.C.Continuetoincreasefacultydiversitythroughrecruitment,suchthatatleast30%ofnewtenure-trackfacultyhires(onarollingthree-yearaverage)willbediverse.D.Continuetoincreasestaffdiversitythroughrecruitment,suchthatby2020thediversitydemographicsofourstaffreflectthediversitydemographicsoftheCollege’shiringmarkets.”Webelievethebestresponsetothisdemandistocontinueoursuccessfulpursuitofthegoalsalreadyinplace.Wecommittoreportingannuallyonprogresstowardsthisgoal.SeeAddendumAfordatathatcurrentlytracksprogresstowardsthesegoals.SummarizedDiscussion:TheTaskForceagreedwiththePLTthatSt.OlafCollegepromotesdiversityamongadministrators,faculty,andstaff.In2015theCollegeupdateditsstrategicplan,andinresponsetotheCollective’sdemandsthePLTaimstoregularlyupdatethisreport.However,thereismuchworktobedoneabouttherecruitmentandretentionofadministrators,staff,andfacultyofcolor.Therearetoofewfaculty,staff,andadministratorsofcolor,andsomeleavebecauseoftheracialclimateoncampus.TheTaskForcediscussedthedifficultiesinherentinjobdescriptionsthatspelloutracialpreferences,butrealproblemsarisewhendepartments
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failtoincludeoractuallyeliminatequalifiedpeopleofcolorfromsearchpools.Evidently,powerandpoliticsstillstandinthewayofcompetitiveandequalemploymentatSt.OlafCollege.TheCollegesimplyhasnoworkinginstitutionalstructurestoadequatelyaddresstheretentionofadministrators,staff,andfacultyofcolor.St.Olafneedstocreateamorewelcomingclimateandmoresupportsforthisbodyofemployees.Itmustprovideincentivesforpeopletoworkwithemployeesofcolor.
TaskForceRecommendations:TheTaskForcerecommendstheCollegeimplementthisdemandbySpring2018,andthattheTitleVICoordinatorcalledforinI.D.above,bedirectlyinvolvedinimplementingthisplaninconjunctionwiththeAssistanttothePresidentforInstitutionalDiversity.InadditiontohiringthenewCoordinator,StOlafcouldinstitutementoringthatextendstounderrepresentedemployees,equateraceandethnicstudieswithtraditionalprograms,countthecommunityserviceofemployeesofcolortomarginalizedstudents,fairlyreviewtheirworkperformances,allocatemorefundsfortheirIGSprograms,andallowsomereleasetimeforgrowingthesmallestoftheseprograms.
ArticleII.B.AcademicFreedomDemand:WedemandtheCollegenotthreatenthejobsoffaculty,staff,oradministratorsthatsupportourlistofdemands.1.Toenforcethis,theAcademicFreedomenshrinedonfacultyshallalsoincludetheabilitytocritiqueSt.OlafCollegeasaninstitutionwithoutfearofinstitutionaloverreach.2.TheCollegewillintervenewhenmembersoffacultymakestatementsthateitherunderminetheidentitiesandlivedexperiencesofmarginalizedmembersofthecommunityorpromoteprejudice.PLTResponse:WeunderstandthisdemandtomeanthatthecollegeshouldprotecttheabilityoffacultyandstafftoexpresstheirviewsabouttheCollegewithoutfearofretaliation.Weconcurandhavealwaysactedaccordingly.Section4.II.oftheSt.OlafFacultyManualdetailsthenatureandscopeofacademicfreedomatthecollege.Inaccordancewithitsprovisions,theCollegedoesnotengageinthreatstofacultyorstaffwhentheydisagreewithinstitutionalpoliciesoractions.FacultyandstaffarefreetodisagreewiththeCollege,justastheCollegeisfreetorespondtosuchcriticismandtoaddressmisconductshoulditoccur.Thecollegeiscommittedtoappropriatelyinvestigatingallclaimsofharassment,threatsandotherviolationsofourpolicies.
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SummarizedDiscussion:TheTaskForcenotedagapbetweentheoryandpracticeandwonderedwhatinparticularcausedtheCollectivetomakethisdemandandhowtheyenvisionSt.Olafenforcingit.WeacknowledgedthatthereisarealproblemwithgovernanceatSt.Olaf.Wealsosharedillustrativestories.TaskForceRecommendations:ThereisatensionbetweenthehealthyformalCollegepolicyofacademicfreedom(andhowtoenforceit)withtheunhealthypracticalrealityofInstitutionalracismandhistoricalbarriersthatunderminetheintentionunderlyingacademicfreedom.TheFacultyManualisinstructiveregardingacademicfreedom,stating,inpart,atSection4,II.4:
Collegeteachersarecitizensofalearnedprofession,andmembersofaparticulareducationalinstitution.Whentheyspeakorwriteascitizens,theyshouldbefreefromInstitutionalcensorsordiscipline,buttheirspecialpositioninthecommunityimposesspecialobligations.Asamemberofalearnedprofessionandaparticularcollege,theyshouldrememberthatthepublicmayjudgetheirprofessionandtheirinstitutionbytheirutterances.Hencetheyshouldatalltimesbeaccurate,shouldshowrespectfortheopinionsofothers,andmakeeveryefforttoindicatethattheyarenotspeakingforthecollege.
WerecommendtheCollegetakeproactivestepstochangetheunderlyingculturethatinformshowthispolicyactuallyplaysoutinreallife.InadditiontoaggressivelyprotectingtherightsoffacultyandstafftoexpresstheirviewsabouttheCollegewithoutfearofretribution,italsomeansencouragingandfosteringmoretruthtelling,lessisolationofpeoplewhomaydisagree,andworkingtosustainanarrativerootedintheSt.Olaftraditionofinvestinginlivesandrelationships.Truthtellingandtransparencymustbeencouragedbyadministrationatalllevelssofacultyandstaffdonotfeartheirtruthtellingandrequestsformoretransparencywillbeusedagainsttheminsubtle,indirectandunhealthywaysthatservetoundermineboththepolicyandspiritofacademicfreedomthattheCollegeisfirmlycommittedtoupholding.Werecommendfaculty,staffandadministrationreceiveappropriatetrainingtoempowerfacultyandstafftospeakoutagainstInstitutionalracismandtheresultingunhealthybehaviorsthatmanifestthemselvesduetoarealorperceivedfearofitspotentialnegativeimpactontheircareers.WeencouragetheadministrationtoleanintothemessinessanddiscomfortbroughtaboutbysuchincreasedtransparencyandtruthtellingandembracetheopportunitiesitcreatesforapositivechangeintheCollege’sculture,consistentwiththeCollege’svalues.
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ArticleIII.A.ComprehensiveRacialAwarenessCurriculumDemand:WedemandthatRaceandEthnicStudiesDepartmentcreateacomprehensivecurriculumthataddressesthesociopoliticaldimensionsofrace,ethnicity,andidentity.Thiscurriculumwillprescribemandatoryinterdisciplinarycoursesforallstudents.PLTResponse:Thisdemandappearstoseekmandatorydiversitytrainingforstudents,facultyandStaff.ThisDemandappearstooverlapwithDemands1.Band1.C.WerecommendthattheTaskForceconsiderthisdemandalongwiththoseandrecommendwhatkindofoverallongoingtrainingmightberequiredandwhatkindofoversightitmighthave.SummarizedDiscussion:SeeIII.B.below.TaskForceRecommendations:SeeIII.B.below.ArticleIII.B.ReconstructionofCurrentGERequirementsDemand:WedemandthereconstructionofthecurrentGeneralEducationrequirementsinplace.Ratherthancondensingissuesregardingclass,race,genderandsexualityintotheMulticulturalStudies:Domestic/Globalrequirements,wedemandthatthecollegecreateaminimumoftwoGE’sthatenforcemandatoryintroductorycoursesinRace&EthnicStudiesandWomen’s&GenderStudiesdepartments.ThesecoursesshouldcomplementGEsliketheBiblicalStudies(BTS-T/B),HistoryofWesternCulture(HWC),andEthics(EIN)courseswhichfocusmostlyonEuropeanphilosophical,theological,politicalandsociologicalperspectives.1.HWCcoursesmustaddresshistoriesofcolonization,identity,institutionalandsystemicoppression.Manyofthe“Internationalstudents”comefrompreviouslycolonizednations.HWCmustincludetheinfluenceofWesterncolonizationonthepeopleswhohavebeencolonizedbyEuropeannations.2.ThesecoursesneedtomeetrequirementsoutlinedinArticleIII,SectionD.PLTResponse:ThisdemandseekschangestotheCollege’sGeneralEducationrequirements.Asthisdemandrecognizes,afaculty-studentTaskForceiscurrentlyreviewingtheCollege’sGeneralEducationrequirements.Theyshouldbeallowedtocompletetheirwork.WeunderstandthattheyhavealreadyactedtochangethecompositionoftheTaskForce.
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SummarizedDiscussion:DemandIII.A.callsforanewcomprehensivecurriculum,andDemandIII.B.makesspecificdemandsabouthowtoreconstructthecurrentGErequirements.Itthereforeseemsmostusefultoconsiderthesetwodemandstogetherinourrecommendation.BecauseIII.B.presentsspecificdemandsandreasonsforthem,andbecausetheGEcurriculumistheonlyonethatspecifiesrequirementsforallstudents,itwouldalsoseemmostusefultofocusonIII.B.forframingourrecommendation.DemandsIII.A.andB.askfortwothings:1)newcoursestobedevelopedasGErequirementsand/orcurrentcourses—specificallyintroductorycoursesinRaceandEthnicStudies(RACE)andWomen’sandGenderStudies(WMGST)tobemadeGErequirements,and2)somecurrentGEcoursestobemodifiedintermsofcontent,sothatdiscussionsofclass,race,genderandsexualityarenotlimitedtoonlyMCD/Gcourses,butincorporatedintotheBTS-T/B,HWCandEINGEcoursestocomplementandbalancetheirfocusonEuropeanperspectivesandtheirlackofattentiontoWesterncolonialism.Intermsofcurrentcoursesoffered,andIntroductiontoRACEcoursesinparticular,thedemandforthesecourseshasbeengrowingsignificantlyinrecentyears,buttherehasnotbeenasignificantincreaseinthenumberofsuchcoursesoffered,noranyincreaseofresourceswithwhichtooffermoreofthem.Whileit’sdifficulttoknowtheexacteffectsthataddingnewGEattributestoexistingcoursesmighthaveontheneedforadditionalsectionsandfacultytoteachthem,itisclearthatadditionalfacultywithexpertiseintheseareaswouldbeneededtoteachadditionalsectionsofintroductorycoursesinRACEandWMGST.OnepossiblemodelforexpandingthenumberofsectionsofferedofIntroductiontoRACEcouldbethroughtheFirstYearWriting(FYW)program.ThiscouldinvolveadaptingthecurrentFYWcoursestoincluderace,ethnicity,class,sexuality,colonialism,inequality,etc.TaskForceRecommendations:WerecommendthattheCollegeprovideresourcestocreateacomprehensivecurriculumthataddressesthesociopoliticaldimensionsofrace,ethnicity,andidentity.WerecognizetheimportanceofRaceandEthnicStudiesasanintegralpartoftheCollege’scurriculum,butthelimitedresourcesdedicatedtoitpreventsitfromhavingthekindofimpactsuchanintegralpartofthecurriculumshouldhave.WethusrecommendthattheCollegeincreasefundingfortheRaceandEthnicStudies(RACE)inordertooffermoresectionsoftheirtwocorecourses,and/oradditionalcorecourses.Additionalteaching-FTEwouldbeessentialforthis;additionalfundingforprogrammingand/oradministrativeassistancewouldalsoberecommended.Thesechangeswouldhelpbothtomeettheincreaseddemandforthese
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courses,andcontributetowardbalancingtheoverallEurocentricemphasisofthecurriculumasawhole.IntermsofmodifyingcurrentcoursesandattributesintheGEcurriculumtobalanceitsEurocentricemphasis,werecommendthattheGETaskForceconsiderthespecificpointsmadeinthedemanditself.Thesewouldincludeexpandingdiscussionsofclass,race,genderandsexualitybeyondtheMCD/MCGcourses,andincorporatingthemintotheBTS-T/B,HWCandEINGEcoursestocomplementandbalancetheirfocusonEuropeanperspectivesandtheirlackofattentiontoWesterncolonialism.WealsorecommendthataworkinggroupperformadeeperreviewbymeetingwithmembersoftheCollectivetobetterunderstandthedetailsoftheirdemandandmeetwiththeGETaskForcetobetterunderstandtheprogresstowardthesegoalsaswellastoprovideinputpriortothenewGErequirementsbecomingfinal.ToensureadequatepreparationforteachingcourseswithMCD/Dattributes,werecommendthatfacultyberequiredtoparticipateintrainingsessionspriortoteachingthesecourses.ApossiblemodelforthiscouldbethetrainingthathappensforfacultytoteachcoursesthatcarrytheEINattribute.TherecentlyawardedToIncludeisToExcelMellonGrantbeganonJuly1,2017andcontinuesuntil2021.Fundsfromthegrantcouldbeapotentialinitialsourceoffundingforthiskindoftraining,andwillenableustoundertakefacultydevelopmentandcurricularimprovementsthataligninclusionandexcellence.TheTitleVIWorkingGroupshouldpartnerwiththeToIncludeisToExcelDirectorandInterimDirectortounderstandtheprocessandsupporttheireffortswhereneeded.Additionally,theTitleVIWorkingGroupshouldaddresshowtoaugmentthestudentcurriculumwithopportunitiesforstaffandfacultytotakeseminarsand/orclassescenteredonraceaswellasmandatorytraining.ArticleIII.C.RequiredEventsforStudentsinMCD/GCoursesDemand:WedemandthatMCD/GcoursesrequirestudentstoattendeventsthatareheldbyorganizationsthatfallundertheDiversityCelebrationsCommittee(DCC).TheseeventswillholdthesameweightasWellnessCenterSwipedEventsforStudiesinPhysicalMovement(SPM)coursesandthePinkCardSystem.PLTResponse:Thisdemandisalsoself-explanatory.WerecommendthattheTaskForceconsiderthisrecommendation.
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SummarizedDiscussion:WediscussedhowWellnessCenterSwipedEventsandthePinkCardSystemforFineArtseventsworked.GiventhewiderangeofeventssponsoredbytheDCC,wedecideditwouldbeagoodideaforsomeofficeorofficesoncampus(e.g.CMIEand/orIOS)tobedesignatedtoapproveeventsthataresubstantiveandappropriateenoughintheircontenttomeettheMCD/Grequirement;aswithWellnessSwipeevents,thisapprovalwouldbeonthecalendarwiththeeventdescription.Wealsodiscussedhowbesttomonitorattendanceattheseevents,andthemodelusedbythePhysicsdepartmentfortheirrequiredeventswassuggested,inwhicheachstudentmustwritetheirname,emailandacoupleofquestionsforthespeakeronacardthattheyturninattheendofeachevent.Weagreedthiswouldbeanidealmodelforthisdemand.TaskForceRecommendations:Recognizingtheneedforongoingopportunitiesforstudentstolearnandsupportinclusion,werecommendimplementationofthisdemand.Itwouldbeagreatwaytoensureongoingtouchpointsforstudentsbeyondmandatorydiversitytraining.TheTitleVIWorkingGroupshoulddiscussthisrecommendationwithfacultyandtheDiversityCelebrationsCommittee,CMIEand/orotherrelevantofficestounderstandhowtobestimplementthisinitiative.ArticleIII.D.Cross-disciplinaryRelationshipsthroughoutCampusSpacesDemand:Wedemandthatcoursesonrace,genderandsexuality,andintersectionalitygettaughtindifferentspacesthroughoutthecampusandnotbelimitedbytheirdepartmentalbuildings.Thiswouldencouragecross-disciplinaryrelationshipsbetweenstudentsandfacultymembersinvariousdepartments.PLTResponse:Wethinkthisdemandseeksforcoursestonotnecessarilybetaughtallinthesamebuildingwherethedepartmentofferingthemishoused.Wedon’tknowenoughabouttheconstraintsthattheRegistraroperateswithinschedulingclassesandroomstorespondimmediatelytothisdemand,butwewillasktheRegistrartotakethisunderadvisement.
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SummarizedDiscussion:Currentlycoursesonraceandethnicstudiesandotherinterdisciplinarycoursesaretaughtinspacesthroughoutthecampus.WeagreewiththeCollective’sapparentpremisethatwideexposureoftheseclassesaroundcampuswillpromoteinterestbyandintegrationwithinthecommunity.TaskForceRecommendations:WerecommendthattheTitleVIWorkingGroupmeetwithmembersoftheCollective,theRegistrar,membersoftheDeansCouncil,andothercampusstakeholderstoreviewthisissueandmakerecommendationstotheCollegeforspecificactionstobetakentoadvancethesegoals.ArticleIV.A.ZeroTolerancePolicyonHateCrimes,HateSpeechandBiasDemand:WedemandthatSt.Olafestablishastrictzerotolerancepolicyonracial,sexual,andhomophobicepithetsforfaculty,staff,andstudents.ThesehatecrimesmustbeheldwiththesamesinceritythattheCollegeholdstoitsnotolerancepolicyfordrinkingandsmoking.Thismeansthatwhensuchincidentsoccur,theCollegewillimposerealconsequencesontheperpetrators,includingcitationsorpotentialexpulsionsasstatedinArticleVII:ConductPoliciesoftheCodeofStudentConduct.1.TheCollegewillestablishaResponseTeamsimilartotheUniv.ofMississippiBiasIncidentResponseTeamtoeffectivelyassessandrespondtoincidentsofbias,hatespeech,anddiscrimination.SummarizedDiscussion:Weunderstandthatlanguageofthisdemandtobeareflectionofthefrustrationwiththecurrentlackofclearreportingmechanismandadjudicationsystem.Wediscussedtheimplicationsofazerotolerancepolicyandagreedthatalthoughincidentsofbias,racismandviolencemustbeaddressedasseriouspolicyviolations,apolicythathasinflexibleprescribedsanctionscouldcreateunintendedbarrierstoreporting.ThemannerinwhichtheCollegeaddressesviolationsshouldnotdetervictimsfromreporting.TaskForceRecommendations:WerecommendthattheCollege,inpolicyandpractice,treatviolationsseriouslyandwhensanctioningsuchconductitshouldconsidervariousfactorsincluding:theseverityoftheconduct;anypreviousinfractionsbytheperpetrator;thewishesofthevictim;andtheimpactoftheconductuponthecommunity.TheCollegerecentlyadaptedaprotocolforrespondingtobiasincidentsandhasadaptedanonlineincidentformdesignedtoimprove
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andincreasereporting.WeencouragetheTitleVIWorkingGrouptoreviewtheCollege’scurrentpractices,explorebestpracticesatotherhighereducationinstitutions,anddiscussoptionsforfurtherimprovementwithmembersoftheCollectiveandotherstakeholdersinourcommunity.TheBiasResponseTeamthattheCollegeiscurrentlydesigningwillbeanimportantelementinaddressingthisdemand.ArticleIV.B.DefinitionofaHateCrimeDemand:Wedemandthatthedefinitionofa“hatecrime”bereconstructed.Thisisanexampleofacitationthatshouldbeconsidered:1.Thefederaldefinitionofahatecrimeis"acrimeinwhichthedefendantintentionallyselectsavictim,becauseoftheactualorperceivedrace,color,religion,nationalorigin,ethnicity,gender,genderidentity,disability,orsexualorientationofanyperson."Also,knownasbias-basedcrimes,hatecrimesareconsidered"messagecrimes,"oroffensesthatsendamessageoffearandterrortocommunitymemberswithsimilartraits.PLTResponse:Thisdemandreflectsadesireforclarityandspecificityinthedefinitionofa“hatecrime.”WeprefertocontinueusingtheCollege’sdefinitionof“hatecrime”becauseitreliesuponthedefinitioncontainedinfederalregulationsundertheCleryActandbecauseitisinwideuseinhighereducationinstitutions.Inaccordancewithtwofederallaws,theCleryActandtheViolenceAgainstWomenReauthorizationAct,theCollegecollectsandreportsuponincidentsofhatecrimesoccurringontheSt.Olafcampus.SimilartothedefinitionproposedbytheCollective,Collegepolicydefinesa“HateCrime”as“acriminaloffenseagainstapersonorpropertywhichismotivated,inwholeorinpart,bytheoffender’sbias.Biasisapreformednegativeopinionorattitudetowardagroupofpersonsbasedontheirrace,gender,genderidentity,religion,sexualorientation,ethnicity,nationaloriginordisability.”http://wp.stolaf.edu/publicsafety/crime-definitions/SummarizedDiscussion:Inourdiscussionofthisdemand,weweighedtheCollege’sgeneralcommitmenttofreespeechagainsttheCollege’sinterestinkeepingstudentssafe.Whilewerecognizethatweneedfreespeechinordertoensureaspaceforintellectualexploration,wealsounderstandthatthesafetyofstudentsisanecessaryconditionforlearning.
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TaskForceRecommendations:WerecommendtheCollegekeepitscurrentdefinitionof“hatecrime”fromtheCleryActforfederalreportingpurposes.However,givenourCollege’smissionofbeingwelcomingtoall,wealsorecommendtheCollegeestablishanadditionalguidelinethatdefinesandsanctionslanguageandactsthatinvolvebiasbasedonrace,ethnicity,gender,sexuality,etc.Giventhelackoflegalconsensusonthedividinglinebetweenhatespeechandhatecrimes,andtheapparentlimitationsofeachoftheselegaltermsincoveringallacts,symbolsandlanguagethatcaninvolvebias,weagreedthatwhatisneededisacleartermand/ordefinitionforbehavior,language,and/orsymbolsofbiasandhatethatarenotcoveredbytheCleryActandthefederaldefinitionofahatecrime.WeencouragetheTitleVIWorkingGrouptoengageinfurtherstudyanddiscernmenttoidentifyastandardtheCollegeshouldusetoidentifyformsofhatespeech,behaviorandsymbolsofbiasthatwillnotbetoleratedatSt.Olaf.Thesecouldincludenooses,Confederateflags,andothersymbolsofhatred,racismandwhitesupremacy.ArticleV.AReportFormDemand:WedemandamoreaccessibleandproperlymarketedDiscriminationandBiasReportForm.1.Thisformmustbeopentofaculty,staff,students,andcommunitymemberstouseinordertoreportincidentsofdiscriminationand/orbias.2.StudentcomplaintsmustbeforwardedtoboththeDirectorofHumanResourcesandDeanofStudents.PLTResponse:ThisdemandseeksimprovementstotheDiscriminationandBiasReportform.WeagreethatthecurrentcollegewebpageonIncidentsofBias,Harassment,andHateCrimes,includinginformationonhowtoreportsuchincidents,needsexpansionandimprovement.Thiswillbeaccomplishedoverthesummerof2017,drawingontheworkthecollegehasdonetomakeTitleIX–relatedreportingtimelyandsimple.ThecurrentonlineCommunityConcernFormcanbecompletedbyanyoneinthecommunity,butitfocusesonincidentsofdiscriminationorbiascommittedbystudents.TheCollegewilldevelopanexpandedreportingformthatcanbeusedtoreportbehaviorsbyfacultyandstaffaswellasstudents;thisformwillbecompletedandlinkedinseveralplacesontheCollegewebsitepriortothearrivalofnewstudentsinFall2017.ThecurrentCommunityConcernFormisalreadyreceivedbytheDeanofStudentsandtheAssociateDeanofStudentsforResidenceLife.Therevisedornewformthatwillbeinplacebynextfallwill
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bereceivedbytheDirectorofHumanResourcesaswell,incasethebehaviorbeingreportedpertainstoafacultyorstaffmember.SummarizedDiscussion:MembersoftheTaskForcesharedtheirexperienceswithracistincidentswithindepartmentsandasstudentsoncampusandexplainedhowtheCollegeaddressedtheseincidents.Wediscussedlegalissues,possibleprosecutionsofcodeviolations,somereportingmechanismsbutalsotheiradvantagesanddisadvantages.Inaddition,weexaminedintheCleryActdefinitionsofhatespeechandhatecrimes,notinggapsinthereportingsystem.AmemberoftheTaskForcesaidthatStOlafCollegehassignedacontractfornewcasemanagementsoftware.Itwillbeimplementedthisfall.Thiswillmeanasinglesystemforhandlingallcasesoncampus,includingsexualassault,TitleIX,racism,andotherformsofdiscrimination.ThePresident’sLeadershipTeamannouncedthedevelopmentofanexpandedreportformavailablenextfall.WerequestedtheDeansofStudentsandHumanResourcesprovidemoreinformation.Accordingtotheirupdate,aformwasaddedtotheCollege’swebpageonDiversityandInclusion.Individualscanuseittoreportincidentsofracism.(Link:https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?StOlafCollege).Finally,membersoftheTaskForceexaminedthereportformthatCarletonCollege’sBiasConcernResponseTeamuses.
TaskForceRecommendations:TheTaskForcebelievesthattheCollegeneedstoimproveitscurrentreportingmechanism.Thereportformshouldbeaccessibletoallstudents.Studentsshouldbeinformedaboutthepresenceoftheformandtheirrightswhenreportingracialbiasanddiscrimination.Aneducationalsectionshouldbeaddedtotheinductionweek,forthefirstyearstudentsandalsoothermembersoftheSt.Olafcommunity.Anexpertinthefieldneedstoreadthesereportsandoverseethereportingprocess.InregardstothePresident’sLeadershipTeamResponse,membersoftheTaskForcewereinformedaboutboththenewbias-incidentreportformontheDiversityandInclusionwebpageandtheCollege’snewcasemanagementsoftwarecontractforhandlingallcasesoncampus.TheCollegewillpublicizethisandallotherreportingoptionstothecampuscommunity.TheCollegewillconsultwithexpertsandwithallstakeholdersinthecommunityaboutpossibleadditionalimprovementsintheform,initiallyandafterevaluationoftheformbytheendof2017-2018.
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ArticleV.B.TransparencyDemand:Inadditiontoeffectivelyusingalloftheschool’sresourceswhenfurtheringthesafetyofthesestudents,faculty,andstaff,wedemandthattherebetransparencybetweenthevictimsofhatecrimesandtheadministration.PLTResponse:ThisdemandseekstransparencybetweenvictimsofhatecrimesandtheCollege.Thecollegepracticestransparency,recognizingthelimitsbasedonprivacylawandotherlegalobligations.WeencouragetheTaskForcetoconsiderbestpracticesforreportingandcommunicationswithvictimsbasedontheworkoftheTitleIXWorkingGroup.SummarizedDiscussion:TheTaskForcediscussedtheworkoftheTitleIXWorkingGroup,andthereportingpracticesofvictimsofhatespeechandhatecrimesbutalsoaddressedissuesofprivacy,transparencyandsupportforvictims.Werevisiteddefinitionsofhatespeechandhatecrimes,notingthatpresentlytheCollegeneednotreportincidentsthattechnicallyarenothatecrimes,evenifsomebehaviorsterrorizepeoplehistoricallymarginalized.TaskForceRecommendations:St.OlafCollegeneedsresourcestoinsureprivacyandtoprovideadequatesupportsforvictimsofbiasandhate.TheTaskForceonInstitutionalRacismwonderedwhetherSARNprovidesagoodmodelfordrawingvolunteers,providingtraining,andaplaceforvictimsofbiastofindpeersupport.IfvictimsandvictimizershadtrulyprivateoutletsforhealingorreconciliationthentheCollegemightbeabletoreduceincidencesofdiscriminationoncampus.Onthecontrary,whentheCollegegoespublicwithreportsononestudent,ithindersinvestigations.Infact,itdiminishestheseriousnessofracismoncampus,especiallywhenotherincidentsarenotinvestigatedorreported.ThatthiswastheunfortunateexperienceandconclusionreachedbythoseoperatingwithinanimperfectsystemisanoutcomenotconsistentwiththevaluesoftheCollege.Thereisarealfeelingamongsomewhocomeforwardwiththeircomplaintthattheyhaveendedupastheonepunished,andnotthetrueperpetrator.TherearethoseontheHillwhoseexperiencesandfrustrationswiththeCollege'sresponsestobiashasledthemtoseriouslyquestiontheCollege'sunderlyingcommitmenttoowningtheextentoftheproblemofbiasthatexistsinourcommunity.ThecorevaluesandwelcomingcommunitypurportedbytheCollegemusttransferintoacultureoftransparency,wherebiasiscalledoutanddealtwithopenlyandhonestly,consistentwithourvalues.Ratherthanmeteoutseverepunishments,too,wemightconsiderwaystopromotediscussionandreconciliation,atleastinsomecases.TheTaskForcewantstheCollegetobemoretransparentonceadministratorsdeterminecasesofbias.TheCollegecanlearnfromitshandlingofpastcasesinvolvingcodeviolations.Knowingwhocameupforcodeviolationsandwhatprocessesthatsanctionedstudentsunderwent
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willgoalongwaytowardpromotingtrustandtransparency.Withrealdata,St.Olafcanassessbestpracticesforaddressingfuturebiasreports.TheCollegemustguardagainstpunishingvictimswhocomeforwardwiththeircomplaints,oratleastask,whetherorhowwellwedoinourevaluationsofinstitutionalstrategies.St.Olafmustalsoconsiderwhatmechanismsareorarenotinplaceandeducatereportingpartiesoftheiroptionsforpursuingdisciplinaryaction.Thisprocessshouldincludeupdatesonaweeklybasis.ArticleV.C.SemesterUpdatesDemand:WedemandsemesterupdatesfromthePresident'sOfficeandothercampusentitieshighlightingspecificactionsthathavebeentakenintheupcomingtermstoaddressourdemandsandimprovecampusclimate.PLTResponse:Thisdemandseekspublicreportingoninitiativestoimprovecampusclimate.Wearehappytoprovideperiodicupdates.Weareconsideringthebestplacefromwhichtoissuereportssothat,forconsistency,thereportscancomefromoneplaceratherthanfromseveraldifferentcampusentities,includingthePresident’sOffice.SummarizedDiscussion:TheTaskForcediscussedthatthelastpartofthisdemandrefersbacktothedemandsasawhole,tyingitbacktoDemandI.D.,aswellastoallthepoliciesandprocessesrecommendedbythedemandsand/orwhicharebeingimplementedalreadybytheCollege.TheTaskForcethoughtthisshouldbeanongoingprocessfortheCollegeandthoughtthatit,therefore,madesensetodoannualupdatesratherthansemesterupdates.TaskForceRecommendations:ThisdemandistiedtotheroleofthenewTitleVICoordinatorproposedinDemandI.D.andrecommendedbythisTaskForceonInstitutionalRacism.Therewasconsensusthatitwouldbebeneficialtohaveagood,organizedaccesspointtoupdatesonwhattheCollegehasdonesofar,aswellaswhatisbeingproposed.TheTitleVICoordinatorwillserveasthataccesspointoncampus.WerecommendthatthenewTitleVICoordinator’sresponsibilitiesshouldincludeprovidingtheseannualupdatestostudents,faculty,staffandalumni,invariedformatsthatinvitequestionsandfeedback.OneoftheformatscouldincludeanannualopenforumoncampustoreporttotheSt.Olafcommunity,answerquestions,andsolicitinputastowhatthecommunitythinksisworkingornotworking,andwhatworkstillneedstobedone.
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ArticleVI.A.CounselingCenterDemand:WedemandthatSt.OlafCollegehireapersonofcolorascounselorfortheBoeHouseCounselingCentertoaccountforthewellbeingandmentalhealthofmarginalizedstudents.Thiscounselorwillbehiredinadditiontothecurrentstaff.WedemandaplanforthehiringprocessbeestablishedbyFall2017,aspartofArticleII,SectionA.[ArticleII.A.demandsthattheCollegecomposeandcommittoastrategic10-yearplantoincreaserecruitmentandretentionofIndigenous,Black/African-American,Latinx-American,Asian-American,Multiracial,andNon-Americanfacultyandstaffmembersacrossallacademicdisciplinesandadministrativedepartments.]
PLTResponse:Thisdemandseeksbothaddedstaffinthecounselingandhealthcenteranddiversityamongthestaff.WedonotanticipateincreasingstaffingintheCounselingCenterortheHealthCenter,orindeedanywhereattheCollege,butwearecommittedtoincreasingdiversityinthestaffingoftheCounselingCenterasopportunitypermits.Incompliancewithstateandfederalanti-discriminationlaws,wedonotexcludeapplicantsofanyrace,nationalorigin,orotherprotectedclassstatus.SummarizedDiscussion:ThisdemandaddressesalackofcounselorsofcoloratBoeHouse.Atthesametime,itlinksthisdemandtothatofastrategic10-yearplantoincreasestaffandfacultyofcoloratSt.Olaf(II.A.).Currently,therearenocounselorswithexperienceandexpertiseinworkingwithmarginalizedstudents,andneitherspecialistsindiscrimination,hatespeech,norotherformsofprejudice.Giventhenationalattentiondevotednowtomentalhealthinhighereducation,andthenegativeeffectsthatdiscrimination,prejudiceandmicroaggressionshaveonmentalhealth,thebasisforthisdemandisclear.MembersoftheTaskForceprovidedbothanecdotaldataabouttheexperiencesofstudentsofcolorandthebriefbibliographicalsummaryofrelevantacademicresearchoncounselingandstudentsofcolorthatfollowsourrecommendationsbelow.Hiringcounselorswithexpertiseindiscriminationwouldthusimprovethequalityoflifeforstudentsofcolor,andcontributetoimprovingthecampusclimateasawhole.Itwouldalsolightentheburdenonfacultyandstaffofcolorwhohavelongprovidedsupporttostudentsofcolorandothermarginalizedstudents,inadditiontoshoulderingtheirteachingandadministrativeduties.
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TaskForceRecommendations:Basedonnear-unanimousagreementamongTaskForcemembers,werecommendthattheCollegehireatleastonenewcounselorwithexperienceandexpertiseinworkingwithstudentsofcolorandmarginalizedstudents,andexpertiseintheeffectsofracial,ethnicandotherformsofdiscriminationonstudents’mentalhealth.Awareoftheneedforadditionalbudgetallocationforsuchaposition,wesuggestthatthenewposition(s)bedraftedbyspringof2018inordertorecruitduring2018-2019,sothatthenewcounselor(s)wouldbeginemploymentinthefallof2019.WealsorecommendthattheTitleVIWorkingGroupmeetwithcounselorsattheBoeHousetosolicittheirinputandexpertiseonthisissue.PsychologicalCounselingandStudentsofColor:ABriefBibliographicSummary1.Itiswidelyrecognizedthatracialandethnicdifferencesadverselyaffecttheprovisionofmentalhealthcaretoasignificantdegree—evengreaterthanthatshapingaccesstohealthcareingeneral. E.g.,intwoturn-of-the-millenniumreportsfromthefederalDepartmentofHealthandHumanServicesthatresearcherscontinuetocite,sharpracialdisparitiesinmentalhealthcareareclearlyhighlighted:
“Evenmorethanotherareasofhealthandmedicine,thementalhealthfieldisplaguedbydisparitiesintheavailabilityofandaccesstoitsservices.Thesedisparitiesareviewedreadilythroughthelensesofracialandculturaldiversity,age,andgender”(U.S.Dept.ofHealth1999:vi).InadditiontochallengesfacedbyallAmericans(e.g.,cost,lackofavailability,etc.),particularobstaclesconfrontpeoplesofcolor,including“distrustandfearofmaltreatment,racismanddiscrimination,anddifferencesinlanguageandcommunication....Morebroadly,mentalhealthcaredisparitiesmayalsostemfromminorities'historicalandpresentdaystruggleswithracismanddiscrimination,whichaffecttheirmentalhealthandcontributetotheirlowereconomic,social,andpoliticalstatus”(U.S.Dept.ofHealth2001:4).2.Recentresearchsuggeststhateffectivecounselingofstudentsofcoloroncollegecampusesrequirestherecognitionofseveralkeyfactorsandconditions.
Someresearchhassuggestedthatstudentsofcolordonotusecounselingservicesatratessimilartotheirratesofenrollment(e.g.,Davidsonetal2004),whileanotherstudy(morerecent,withalargersamplesize)suggeststheydo(Hayesetal2011).However,eventhislatterworkacknowledgesthat...3.Studentsofcolorneedmorepsychologicalservicesthanwhitestudents.
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“Atthesametime,itmustbekeptinmindthatstudentsofcolorgenerallyexperiencegreaterdistressrelatedtodepression,hostility,familyconcerns,socialanxiety,andacademicissuesthanEuropeanAmericanstudentsdo”(Hayesetal2011:112).
“Itcouldbearguedthat,whereasstudentsofcolorareutilizingcounselingservicesatratesconsistentwithoverallcampusenrollments,theyareunderutilizingservicesrelativetotheirpsychologicalneeds”(Hayesetal2011:112).Otherevidencesupportingthiscontention:
“AlaskaNative/AmericanIndian,AsianAmerican,andmultiracial/multiethnicstudentsallhadsignificantlymoredistressedthinkingorsuicidalthoughtsthanotherstudentsinthesample”(Brownsonetal2014:126).
“AsianAmericanstudentshadsomeofthehighestratesofdistressingthoughts(e.g.,‘IwishIweredead’)comparedwithotherstudents”(Brownsonetal2014:126).
“Caucasian/Whitestudentswereadvisedtoseekhelpfromthefirstpersontheytoldatstatisticallysignificantlyhigherratesthanallotherracialandethnicgroups”(Brownsonetal2014:126).4.Also,intermsofensuringthatstudentsofcolorusecounselingservicesathighrates,theethno-racialdiversityofcounselingstaffiscrucial.
“Utilizationofcounselingcenterservicesforstudentsofcolorispredictedbytheethniccompositionofcounselingcenterstaff,”i.e.,“thehigherthepercentageofAfricanAmericantherapistsatauniversitycounselingcenter,thegreaterthepercentageofAfricanAmericanstudentswhosoughtservices,”etc.(Hayesetal2011:113).5.Accordingly,studiesoftenrecommendrobustsupplementaryeffortsonthepartofschoolstomeetthesestudents’ofcolorneeds.
“Theseresultssuggestthatcollegesanduniversitiesneedtoincreasetheireffortsinmentalhealthpromotionwiththesestudentsandperhapsconsiderwhetherthetypicalmeansofreachingthemareculturallyrelevantfortheseparticulargroups”(Brownsonetal2014:126).References
ChrisBrownson,MartinSwanbrowBecker,RichardShadick,ShannaS.Jaggars,andYaelNitkin-Kaner.2014.“SuicidalBehaviorandHelpSeekingAmongDiverseCollegeStudents.”JournalofCollegeCounseling17:116-130.
Davidson,M.M.,Yakushka,O.F.,&Sanford-Martens,T.C.2004.RacialandEthnicMinorityClients'UtilizationofaUniversityCounselingCenter:AnArchivalStudy.JournalofMulticulturalCounselingandDevelopment,32,259-271.
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JeffreyA.Hayes,SooJeongYoun,LouisG.Castonguay,BenjaminD.Locke,AndrewA.McAleavey,andSamNordberg.2011.“RatesandPredictorsofCounselingCenterUseAmongCollegeStudentsofColor.”JournalofCollegeCounseling.
U.S.DepartmentofHealthandHumanServices.2001.MentalHealth:Culture,Race,andEthnicity—ASupplementtoMentalHealth:AReportoftheSurgeonGeneral.Rockville,MD:Author.
U.S.DepartmentofHealthandHumanServices.1999.MentalHealth:AReportoftheSurgeonGeneral.Rockville,MD:Author.ArticleVI.B.ScholarshipsforStudentsofColorandCPTApplicationsforInternationalStudentsDemand:Wedemandthatthecollegemeetthefinancialneedsofstudentsofcolorthroughmeritandneed-basedscholarships,givingspecialconsiderationforfirstgenerationstudentsofcolor.1.Thecollegemustmakeanefforttogetalumnianddonorstodirectlyfundprogramsandresourcesthatareestablishedforthewellbeingandsuccessofstudentsofcolor,forexample,CenterforMulticulturalandInternationalEngagement(CMIE)andTRIO/SSS.St.OlafCollegemustpromoteandadvocateforthefundingoftheseprogramswiththesameattentionandenthusiasmgiveninpromotingthecampaign,BringIceHome.2.Thecollegeshouldfundcurricularpracticaltraining(CPT)applicationsforinternationalstudentswithacademicinternships,especiallyforstudentsonneed-basedfinancialaidorscholarshipprograms.PLTResponse:Thisdemandseeksfinancialaidforstudentsofcolor,especiallyfirstgenerationstudents.TheCollegealreadymeetsthedemonstratedfinancialneedofeverystudentitenrolls.Ourfinancialaidexpenditureapproximates$60millionannually.Dependingupontheamountofneedanindividualstudenthas,thataidmayincludework-studyandloansaswellasgrants.SummarizedDiscussion:SeeVI.B.1and2below.TaskForceRecommendations:SeeVI.B.1andVI.B.2below.
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ArticleVI.B.1.ScholarshipsforStudentsofColorDemand:1.Thecollegemustmakeanefforttogetalumnianddonorstodirectlyfundprogramsandresourcesthatareestablishedforthewellbeingandsuccessofstudentsofcolor,forexample,CenterforMulticulturalandInternationalEngagement(CMIE)andTRIO/SSS.St.OlafCollegemustpromoteandadvocateforthefundingoftheseprogramswiththesameattentionandenthusiasmgiveninpromotingthecampaign,BringIceHome.PLTResponse:Thisdemandseeksmoreattentiontofundraisingforprogramsthatservestudentsofcolor.St.OlafCollegealreadypromotesandadvocatesforthefundingofsuchprograms.Aspartofthecurrentcampaign“FortheHillandBeyond”theCollegehasfocusedonfundraisingforaccesstotheCollegeandtotheSt.Olafexperienceviafinancialaid,includingspecificPossescholarships,opportunityfunds,studentlifefunds,andfundsthatallowaccesstohigh-impactpracticesincludinginternationalandoff-campusstudyandinternships.Todate,thecampaignhasraised$41.3millionforfinancialaid(with$16.4millionmatchedbyunrestrictedfundsfromtheCollege’sendowmentforatotalof$57.7million),$3.2millionforopportunityfunds(with$2.2millionmatchedfromtheendowmentforatotalof$5.4million),$6.3millionforscholarshipsforinternationalandoff-campusstudy(with$3.3millionmatchedbytheendowmentforatotalof$8.7million),and$5.8milliontofundinternships(with$3.6millionmatchedbytheendowmentforatotalof$9.4million).Theicearenacapitalproject“BringIceHome”isonesmallpartofthisoverallcampaigneffort.Thegoalof$6millionfortheicearenareflects3%ofthetotal$200milliontargetedinthecampaign.Themajorityoffocusofthecampaignisraising$159millioninendowment(80%ofthe$200milliongoal)sothatwecansupportthepeopleandprogramsofthecollegeonanongoingbasis.Theremaining17%($35millionofthe$200milliongoal)istargetedatraisingfundsthroughtheAnnualFund.ThroughtheAnnualFund,donorscandirecttheirdollarstoanyprogramtheychoose,includingservicesthatmeettheneedsofstudents.TheCollegeregularlyseeksgrantsthatsupportstudentaccesstohigh-impactpractices.St.Olafhassuccessfullysoughtgrantssupportingunderrepresentedandlow-incomestudentsinthesciencesandmathematics.TheCollegealsohasbeenawardedagrantof$800,000fromtheAndrewW.MellonFoundation.The“ToIncludeistoExcel”grantwillfocusonimprovinglearningoutcomesforallstudents.
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SummarizedDiscussion:St.Olafgrantsneed-basedscholarshipstonewlyadmittedstudents,andtheFinancialAidOfficehelpsstudentstofinancethecostoftheireducationaftertheyhavebeenhere.TheCollegecontinuestogrowitscapacitytoservestudentsthroughfundraisingopportunities.TheTaskForcediscussedotherSt.Olaffinancialaidcampusprogramswhicharemostlyfundedwithfederalgrants.MembersoftheTaskForcenotedthatnotallstudentsareeligibleforsomeoftheavailablefunding.Firstgeneration,DACA,andinternationalstudentsarenotalwayseligible,andtherearetimesbetweensemestersorbetweenyearswhensomestudentsofcolorhavetosearchforfundingbeforetheycanenrollinclass,suggestinganeedsometimestocloseagapineitherthetimingortheamountoftheirfunding.TaskForceRecommendations:AsstatedinthePLT’sresponsetotheCollective’sdemands,St.OlafCollegemeetsthedemonstratedfinancialneedofeverystudentitenrolls.Alumniplayanimportantroleasdonors,andthenumberofinternationalalumniandformerstudentsofcolorareincreasing.Regardinginternshipopportunitiesforinternationalstudents,theTitleVIWorkingGroupshouldseekadvicefromexpertsinimmigrationlawtoidentifyaidopportunitiesthatcomplywithlegalobligationsandavoidjeopardizingthesestudents’immigrationstatus.WealsorecommendthattheTitleVIWorkingGroupseekinputandexpertisefromallrelevantstakeholdersintheSt.Olafcommunityandbeyondtolearnmoreabouttheseandanyothergapsinprovidingforstudents’financialneeds,andseekexpertiseonhowbesttoaddressthesegaps.ArticleVI.B.2.CPTApplicationsforInternationalStudentsDemand:2.Thecollegeshouldfundcurricularpracticaltraining(CPT)applicationsforinternationalstudentswithacademicinternships,especiallyforstudentsonneed-basedfinancialaidorscholarshipprograms.PLTResponse:Thisdemandisself-explanatory.WeunderstandthatU.S.immigrationlawimposesafinancialcostoninternationalstudentsundertakinganacademicinternshipthatisnotimposedondomesticstudents.Wewillexplorewaystoaddressthischallenge.SummarizedDiscussion:Becauseinternationalstudentsareineligibleforfederalfunding,theycannotbenefitfromTrioandSSSprograms,whichprovideculturalandacademicsupportimportanttostudentretention.TheUpwardBound,McNair,andPosseprogramsofferadditionalservicesnotavailabletointernationalstudents,sowewonderedwhatresourcesSt.OlafCollegedraws
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ontobetterassistthem.AtPresentthePiperCenterisbestabletoprovideinternationalstudentswithmuchneededassistance.BeforeBillGreenleftSt.OlafCollege,healsoestablishedanAlumniNetworkforthestudentsheserved,largelyinternationalalumniandformerstudentsofcolorcommittedtotheCollege,individualswhowanttoserve.Furthermore,wethinkitisagoodideatoprovideacounselingservicethatcaterstointernationalstudents.TaskForceRecommendations:ThePiperCentercanschedulealumnivisitstocampus,duringwhichreturneesadvisestudentsaboutopportunitiesforinternships,off-campusstudy,andemployment.Studentsdonotwanttobeginapplicationsforwhichtheyproveineligible.ThePiperCentershouldgeneratelistsofinformationspecificallyusefultointernationalstudents,includingeverythingfromexperientiallearning,classesthatprovideinternationalopportunities,andideasforcareerdevelopment.DatabasesmentionedinVIDwillbuildnetworkssupportiveoftheirneeds.Infact,theTaskForcerecommendstherealsobeadirectoryforAlumniofColor,printed,maintained,andavailableinthePiperCenterandtheAlumniRelationsOfficebutalsoincludingalumniresidingoutsideoftheUnitedStates.Theseproposalsandawillingnesstoconsultwithinternationalstudentsandalumniforsuchsuggestionswillcreateanaturallywelcomingclimateoncampus,aswillaccommodationsincounselingforinternationalstudents.ThefairlynewAlumniNetworkestablishedbyBillGreenisactiveandconsideringwaystoassistSt.Olafstudents.ArticleVI.C.MoreProgramsLikeTRIOandSSSDemand:WedemandthecreationofmoreprogramsforstudentsofcolorasidefromTRIO/StudentSupportServices,whichincludesstudentswhomaynotfitTRIOqualifications.Withthis,wedemandthatSt.Olafbepreparedtofacilitatethetransitionoffirstgenerationstudentsbytakingthefollowingmeasures:1.Bridgeprogramsforstudentsofcolorwhodon'tqualifyforTRIO.2.CreateopportunitiesandmakethemmoreaccessibleforstudentswhodonotqualifyforTRIO/SSS,Federalgrantsandloans,McNair,orevenvarsitySports,withoutasocialsecuritynumber.PLTResponse:Thisdemandseeksmoreprogramsforstudentsofcolor.Meetingthesedemandswouldrequiresignificantnewresourcesthathavenotbeenidentifiedinourbudgetplanninggoingforward.WethinktheTaskForceshouldstepbackandreviewthesupportalreadyinplaceforunder-resourcedstudentsandstudentsfrommarginalizedcommunitiesandconsideranyrecommendationstheymaythinkappropriate.SummarizedDiscussion:TheTaskForcesuggeststhatSt.OlafserveundocumentedstudentswhoneedsupportbutareineligibleforTrioandSSSprograms.WeagreewiththeCollectivethattheCollege
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needsmorebridgeprogramstoaccommodatethispopulation,firstgenerationstudents,andstudentsofcolornotservedcurrently.TheTaskForcespentmuchtimediscussingwhathappenstostudentswhosefundsdryupbythespringandonwhoseaccountstheRegistrarplacesholds.Studentshavetoarrangetoremovetheholds.Whiletheholdsareon,studentscannotregisterfororattendclass.Bythetimetheholdcomesoff,theymightbeinadmissibleinclassbecausethepossibilityofenrollmentcomestoolate.Suchapredicamentcompromisesstudents’academicstanding,andtheirabilitytostayoncampusorgraduateontime.TheCollegeneedstofindadditionalsupportforthesepopulationsbutalsoaddressatendencytodrasticallyunderfundprogramsthatemphasizediversity.TaskForceRecommendations:Somestudentscannotlegallyacceptspecialfunding,sotheyneedfinancialassistance.Work/Studystudentsneedtheirpayperiodstobemoreinsyncwiththedatesforcourseregistration.Collegefundraisersneedtohelpstudentswithspecialneeds,andnotjustraisemoneyforageneralfund.Herethenewalumninetworkcanhelpasdonors.TheTaskForcealsoproposesthattheRegistrarextendthedeadlineorgraceperiodforregistration,atleastinsomecases.Theymighthelpstudentssetuppaymentplansthatinducetimelypaymentsandallowstudentstoattendclass.Perhaps,theofficecanproposeafewregistrationtimelines,orpay-as-you-goplansandextendtheiropen-doorpolicyintheFinancialAidOfficeforthemostfinancialdistressedstudents.AsCarleton’sPosseprogrammanagestocoverDACAandothermarginalizedstudents,wemightacceptadvicefromoneormoreoftheirofficesorprograms.ArticleVI.D.RelationswithAlumniofColorDemand:WedemandthatSt.OlafincreaseitsresourcesforstudentsofcolorwithregardstoopenlybuildingrelationswithalumniofcolorandthatthefollowingstepsbemetbySpring2018.1.Academicnetworkingandcommunitysupportforstudentsofcolor,suchasmakingPiperCenterandCMIEAlumniandStudentsofColoranannualevent.ThiseventshouldcontinuetobeopentoallstudentsontheCMIEalias.2.ADirectoryforAlumniofColorshouldbecreatedandmaintainedbythePiperCenterandAlumni-ParentRelationsOffice.3.AlistofalumniofcolorcurrentlyresidingoutsideoftheU.S.shouldbeaccessibletoallstudentsofcolor.ThiscouldbeanextensionoftheDirectoryforAlumniofColordescribedinArticleVI,SectionD,no.2.PLTResponse:Thisdemandseeksconnectionsbetweenstudentsandalumniofcolor.TheCollegedoesplantocontinuenetworkingeventsforstudentsandalumniofcolor.AllPiperCentereventsareopentoallstudents.Alumniarenotrequiredtoshareinformationabouttheir
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racewithus.Therefore,creatingasearchabledatabaseofalumniofcolorwouldrequireanopt-inmechanism.Wewillexplorethispossibility.SummarizedDiscussion:Wediscussedtheneedtoestablishnetworksofadditionalsupportforinternationalanddomesticstudentsofcolor.Alumnihaveresourcesthattheyarewillingtooffer.Newandupdateddatabaseswilladdtostudentaccesstothem,butalsoextendpossibilitiesforexperientiallearning,globalstudy,employment,internshipsandotherprojects.ItwillenhancesuchservicesasCIMIE,thePiperCenter,andotherprogramsatSt.Olafoffer.Suchopportunitiesstrengtheninstitutionaltiesandraiseinterestsallaround.TaskForceRecommendations:ThisdemandhastiestoVI.B.TheTaskForcebelievesthatincreasingengagementwithalumniofcolorwillimprovetheretentionandsuccessofcurrentstudentsofcolor.Intentionalprogrammingandthecreationofresourceswillenhancesupportandbuildrelationshipswiththisdemographic.InadditiontotheSt.OlafAlumniOnlineDirectory,aseparatedatabaseshouldbecreatedhighlightingalumniofcolorandtheircurrent,aswellaspreviousprofessions,andcontactinformation,printed,maintained,andavailableinthePiperCenterandtheAlumniRelationsOffice.Thisincludesalldomesticallyandinternationallylocated.ThePiperCentershouldalsoberesponsibleforplanningtwo,annual-events,thatbringalumniofcolorbacktocampus,toengagewithcurrentstudentsaboutopportunitiesonandoffcampus,studyandemploymentoptionsandsharetheirexperienceseekingemploymentfollowinggraduation.ArticleVI.E.IncreaseResourcesforRecruitingStudentsofColorandaDetailedPortrayalofDemographics:Demand:Wedemandanincreaseintheresourcesallocatedfortherecruitmentofstudentsofcolor,includinghavingmorepeopleofcolorworkingintheOfficeofAdmissions.1.Thereshouldalsobeahonestportrayalofthedemographicsofstudentsthatattendthisinstitution(race/ethnicity,gender,sexuality,socioeconomicstatus).RefertoArticleVIII,SectionB.
PLTResponse:ThisdemandseekschangestothewaystudentsarerepresentedinCollegeCommunications.WebelieveourmaterialsdohonestlyportraythedemographicsofSt.Olafstudents.Weareupfrontaboutthestatisticsofourstudentbodyandprovidethemthroughadmissionsbrochuresandthewebsite.Ourprimaryadmissionsbrochureclearlystatesthepercentageofdomesticstudentsofcoloraswellasinternationalstudentsoncampus.ThatsameinformationispresentedontheAdmissionswebsite,andthosenumbersareoutlinedinevengreaterdetailintheSt.OlafProfilethatispostedonthe
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website.OurgoalwithalladmissionsmaterialsistohighlightawidevarietyofSt.Olafstudentsandthevariousacademicandextracurricularactivitiesthey'repursuingoncampus.(Note:TheDemandlabeledasVI.E.intheoriginalListofDemandswasremovedfromtheupdatedListofDemands).SummarizedDiscussion:TheTaskForcenotedatendencyofSt.Olaftolumpinternationalwithdomesticstudentsofcolor,whichoverstatesthenumbersofstudentsofcoloradmittedeachyear.Yearsago,Admissionsstoppedbreakingoutspecificdemographicnumbersofstudents.GraduallytheadmissionofAfricanAmericansdroppedto2%andthehiddennumberofNativeAmericansfellevenlower.Withthesepopulationsinparticular,St.Olafseemstobemovinginthewrongdirection.TaskForceRecommendations:ThisdemandislinkedtoclaimsaboutSt.OlafCollege’sStrategicPlan.TheTaskForcerecommendsclarityandtransparencyinadmissionsreports.TheCollegeneedstoreportnumbersfornationalandinternationalstudents,foreachdomesticgroupofstudentsofcolor.St.Olafneedstocommittoraisingtheenrollmentsofthemostunderrepresentedofthesegroups,reportingwhereinthefiftystatestheCollegegoestorecruitAfricanandNativeAmericanstudents.DoSt.Olafrecruiterstraveltourbancenters,reservations,publicandprivateschools,andsuburbanneighborhoods?WhichoftherecruitmentmapshavetheyfoundmostusefulintheireffortstoimprovediversityatSt.Olaf?Inotherwords,theCollegeshouldstudyitsrecruitmentandreportinghistory,includingdataontheintervalsforhiringandpromotionofrecruitersinAdmissions,especiallyrecruitersofcolor,say,inthepast20years.Frequentanddetailedannualreportinginprintandpublicpresentationsmighthelpwithtruthandtransparency.ArticleVI.F.InternationalCounselorStipendDemand:WedemandthatInternationalStudentCounselorsbeprovidedastipend.1.Theyneedtobepaidfortheweeklymeetings,Springtraining,WeekZeroplanning,counselor-plannedevents,etc.PLTResponse:Thisdemandisself-explanatory.TheCollegehadaverysuccessfulrecruitmentyearforinternationalstudents.TherewillbenearlyahundredinternationalstudentsintheClassof2021.Wearegoingtoneedtore-examinehowwewelcome,orient,andsupportthem.Wewillfoldthisdemandintothatreconsideration.SummarizedDiscussion:DuringthediscussionondemandVI.,theTaskForceexploredtheimportanceofstipendsfortheinternationalcounselors,andtheoutcomestheycanhaveonthisposition.A
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memberoftheTaskForcenotedthatbecauseofthesignificantamountofworkthattheinternationalcounselorsdo,theyshouldberemunerated..TheTaskForcealsolookedintothePLTresponsetothisdemand.ItmentionstheincreasedenrollmentofinternationalstudentsintheClassof2021,andthattheresultingexpansionofdutiesforISOswouldbepartofthere-examinationofhowinternationalstudentswillbewelcomed,orientedandsupported.Thiscouldinvolvethetransformationofthispositiontoapaidjob. TaskForceRecommendations:TheTaskForceacknowledgesthehardworkthattheinternationalcounselorsdoduringweekzero,planningeventsandwelcomingstudents.Giventheirmanyduties,webelievetheyshouldreceivestipends.Inaddition,thispositioncanbeextendedtoayearlongposition,duringwhichthecounselorswillbeincontactwiththeircounseleesregularly.ThesepositionsandtheirresponsibilitiescanbedeterminedbytheCMIEoffice.ArticleVI.G.TransparencyinCMIE’sBudgetDemand:WedemandfortransparencyinCMIE’sbudget,whereinfinancesshouldbeaccessibletoallstudentsandfaculty.1.Createadatabasethattracksallrecordsofindividuals/organizationmembersthatreceivefinancesforCMIE-fundedeventsincluding,butnotlimitedto,CMIEorganizationevents,faculty/academicdepartmentcollaborations,InternationalStudentOrientation,InternationalStudentCounselorevents,CMIEProgramAssistant/Cultural-Immersionevents,etc.2.Thisdatabaseneedstobeupdateduponeachtransaction.3.AnannualreporttobepublishedbyCMIEbytheendofeverySpringsemester.PLTResponse:ThisdemandseeksdetailedinformationabouttheresourcesandexpendituresofCMIE.Wedon’tunderstandwhatliesbehindthesedemandsfordetailedinformationaboutthebudgetofaparticularcollegeprogram.Wewouldlikemoreinformationsothatwecanunderstandhowtorespond.SummarizedDiscussion:ItwasuncleartotheTaskForceexactlywhatwasdrivingthisdemandintermsofaneedfordetailedinformationaboutbudgetandevents.ItwasnotedthattherehasbeengrowthinrecentyearsoftheCenterforMulticulturalandInternationalEngagement(CMIE),asboththenumberofinternationalstudentsatSt.Olafhasincreasedashasthenumberofprogramsandadministrativeunitsunderitssupervision.ItwouldbehelpfultoknowifCMIE’sbudgethaskeptupwiththisgrowth.
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TaskForceRecommendations:WerecommendCMIEproduceanannualreportthatismadeavailabletotheSt.Olafcommunity.Itshouldincludeadetailedlistoftheindividuals/organizationmembersthatarefunded.WeencourageongoingdialoguebetweentheCollectiveandthePLTconcerningfunding,transparency,andanyadditionalactionappropriatetomovingforward.ArticleVII.A.NewRoommateduetoDiscriminationDemand:Wedemandthatifastudentisrequestingtobereassignedanewroommateduetodiscriminationonaccountofrace,religion,genderand/orsexuality,suchrequestsbedealtwithandrespondedtoimmediately.Theperpetratormustthenberemovedfromtheroom/housetonotinconveniencethevictimfurther.PLTResponse:Thisdemandseeksimprovementsinaddressinghousingconflictrelatedtobiasanddiscrimination.SeetheTaskForceresponsetodemandVII.B.SummarizedDiscussion:DemandsVII.A.andVII.BarerelatedtoDemandV.B.,soseeourdiscussionofV.B.above.TheTaskForcelookedintothesedemandsanddecidedmoreinformationisneededbeforeprovidingrecommendationsforthetwosections.AmemberoftheTaskForcecontactedPamelaMcDowell,AssociateDeanofStudentsforResidenceLife,forinsights.HerearetheverbatimemailquestionsaskedofPamelaMcDowellandherresponses:
1.Howoftendoinstancescomeaboutwhereastudentasksforadifferentroommateortobemovedbecauseofdiscriminationagainsttheirrace,religion,genderandsexuality,etc?Wehaveanaverageof50roomchangesayearwheresomeoneisunhappyintheroomingsituation.Noteveryonefullydiscloseswhytheywantaroomchange–butthosethatdowouldbelessthan10.2.Whenaccusationsaremade,doesan"investigation"occurtodeterminewhethertheallegedperpetratordidsomethinginappropriate?Firstweaskifthestudentwantsustomoveforwardwithaconductcaseorfollowupwiththeroommate(s)informally(nonconduct)case.3.Ifyes,howdoesthisinvestigationgetcarriedout?TheAreaCoordinatororIwouldmeetwithallstudentsinvolved,includingwitnesses.Askforanytextsorsocialmediascreenshotsthatwouldberelevantaswell.ThenmakeadeterminationiftheCodeofConductwasviolated.
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4.Whoisaskedtoleavetheroomiftheperpetratorisfoundatfault?Howisthisdetermined?Howdoyoudecideanewlivingsituationforthevictimandtheperpetrator?Usuallysomeonehasmovedbeforesomeoneisfoundatfault.Butifeveryoneisstilllivingtogether,partofthesanctionmaybethatthepersonfoundresponsibleneedstomove.IfsomeoneismovingandweneedtofindhousingIgivethestudentalistofopeningsoncampus–incasetheyknowsomeoneonethelist.5.Areperpetratorsofracismwithheldfrompotentialroommatelists?Notinallcases-ifIamworkingone-on-onewithastudentImaywithholdthenamebecauseIprobablyalreadyknowiftheyknowthepersonornotfromourconversation.Inlargegroupsituationswheretheemailisgoingto50peopleImaynotbecausetheymayknowsomeoneonthelistwhowantstoroomwiththem.
TaskForceRecommendations:AsdiscussedaboveinV.B.,webelievetheCollegeshouldadoptamorecomprehensiveapproachtorespondingtoanyreportsofdiscriminationorbias,similartothemannerinwhichtheCollegerespondstoreportsofsexualmisconductunderTitleIX.Thisshouldincludeaprocessforresolvingroommateconflictsarisingfromotherformsofprohibiteddiscriminationorharassingbehavior.Whensuchconflictsarise,theCollegeshouldbepreparedtoimmediatelyprovideinterimprotectivemeasures,includingprovidingalternativeroomingarrangementswhentheconflictinvolvesroommatesorotherstudentslivingincloseproximity.TheCollegeshouldexplorewaystoensurethatwhenroomchangesareimplemented,thisisdoneinamannerthatisfairforboththereportingpartyandtheaccused.Weagreethatmovingastudenttoanewlivingspacecanfeelpunitive,andwhenviolationsofCollegepolicyaredeterminedtohaveoccurred,itistheperpetratorwhoshouldbethepresumptivepartytorelocate.Becausesuchmisconducthasseriousdeleteriousimpactsuponthecommunity,webelievetheCollegeshouldexploreremovingperpetratorsfromthecampusentirelyasasanctiontoensurethatnootherstudentsexperiencesimilarconduct.ArticleVII.B.PotentialRoommatesDemand:WedemandthattheDirectorofResidenceLifewithholdthenamesofreportedperpetratorswhenofferingalistofpotentialroommatestothevictim.
PLTResponse:WerecommendthattheTaskForcestepbackandlookoverallathowhousingpoliciesandpracticesattheCollegemightberevisedinlightofconcernsaboutclimateasexpressedindemandsVII.A,B,andC.(Note:TheoriginaldemandVII.A.ongender-neutralhousingwas
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removedfromtheupdatedversionoftheListofDemands,sotheoriginalVII.BandVII.C.areherelistedasVII.A.andVII.B.ThePLTResponsetoVII.A.hasaccordinglybeeneditedtoreflectthisaswell).
SummarizedDiscussion:SeeV.B.andVII.A.aboveTaskForceRecommendations:Wesupportthisdemand.IfperpetratorsarepermittedtoresideoncampustheCollegeneedstotakestepstoavoidre-victimizationofothers,especiallyindividualswhohaveexperiencedsimilardiscriminationorharassment.Incircumstanceswhereavictimexpressesadesiretorelocate,theCollegeshouldtakestepstoensurethatnewlyassignedroommateshavenotengagedinsimilarmisconductinthepast.ArticleVIII.A.PermissionforMarketingReleaseDemand:Wedemandthatallstudents,specificallymarginalizedstudents,givepermissionbeforethemarketingdepartmentreleasesanymultimediaimagery,film,orquotesfromthesestudents.PLTResponse:Thisdemandisself-explanatory.Weobtainpermissionfromstudentsweprofile.Itisourregularpracticetoallowthemtoreviewtheirquotesandprofilesbeforewepostorprintthem.Wetakemanyphotographsonourcampustobeusedonourwebsiteandothermaterials.Ifwereceivearequestfromastudentwhohappenstobeinaphotowhodoesn’twanttobeincluded,wehonorthatrequest.WeincludeinformationabouthowweusephotographsandothervisualimagesontheRegistrar’sOfficewebpage[aspartoftheguidelinesforthereleaseofstudentinformationundertheFamilyEducationalRightsandPrivacyAct].Weagreethatthisinformationcanbedifficulttofind,andwecommittomoreclearlycommunicatingthisinformationtostudentsandprovidingthemwithinformationonhowtheycanoptout.SummarizedDiscussion:MembersoftheTaskForcediscussedtherepresentationofstudentsofcoloratSt.Olaf.Giventheirsmallnumbers,somestudentscomplainedthattheyareover-representedinmarketingandothermaterials.TheTaskForcerecognizedtheCollege’sneedtopromoteitself,butalsoconsideredproblemswithinaccuraterepresentationsandtheneedformoredialoguesamongallCollegestakeholders.
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TaskForceRecommendations:TheCollegeshouldhonorrequestsfromstudentswhodonotwanttobeincludedinmarketingmaterials.TheCollegeshouldexplorewaystomoreclearlycommunicateguidelinesforuseofphotographsandothervisualimagesandidentifyforstudentsaclearprocessforoptingout.TheCollege’sMarketingandCommunications(MARCOM)andtheRegistrar’sOfficeneedtodiscussadditionaloptionswithotherstakeholders.ArticleVIIIB.MarketingRhetoricChange:Demand:WedemandthatSt.OlafCollege’smarketingdepartmentchangetherhetoricusedontheirwebsite.Thisincludesaddingcaptionstothepicture,givingphotocredits,whichmainlycitesthelocationandyearoftheimage.Also,acknowledgingthatthemajorityofthestudyabroadprogramsareinwesternEuropeandNorthAmerica,andreflectingthatonthestudyabroadmarketingmaterials.PLTResponse:ThisdemandseekschangestotherhetoricoftheSt.Olafwebsiteandaspecificwaytodescribeoff-campusstudyprograms.Weareintheprocessofredesigningthewebsite.OurmarketingteamwillbeworkingcollaborativelywiththeInternationalandOffCampusStudiesOfficetorefreshtheircontentontheirwebpage.SummarizedDiscussion:TheTaskForcerecognizestheCollege’sneedtoattractstudents,facultyandstaffandMarketing’sgoalofbrandingandsellingSt.Olaftothepublic.Besidesrecruitmenttools,wediscussedthechallengeofrepresentingtheCollegetothepublic.Ourwide-rangingdiscussioncoveredsuchquestionsashowSt.Olafcommentsontheprotestlastspring,whetherinthepastitover-representedstudentsofcolor,ifMarketingconsultsmembersofthecommunitywhomightcommentonaccuracyandappeal,ifthestakeholdersraisinganyquestionsatallsuggestsatendencytomicro-managetheexperts.Thislatterquestionledtoissuesoftransparency,managementstyles,campusclimate,diversity,inclusionandretentionorsustainedengagement.Werepeatedourrecommendationofon-goingtraininginculturalsensitivity.Muchoverlapsquestionsofrepresentation.WealsoviewedMarketing’snewvideoOlesCan,OlesWill.TaskForceRecommendations:TheTaskForcesupportstheuseofcaptionsorheadingsforimagesandencouragetheuseofthemwiththeredesignoftheSt.Olafwebsitethatwillbelaunchingthisfall.ItisimportanttorecognizethattheSt.Olafwebsiteisdecentralized.Itisamulti-siteplatformwithover200administratorswhoeachhavetheabilitytoeditthecontentthatappearsonthesitecontrolledbytheirownindividualdepartment,officeorprogram.DivisionsoftheCollegethatprojectimagesofSt.OlaftothepublicshouldincorporateimagesofwhattheCollegedoeswell,likedisplaycampusbeauty,engagingclassdiscussions,andkeyevents.
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WesupporttransparencyinthecommunicationsabouttheCollege’sinternationalstudyabroadprograms,includingidentifyingwherestudyabroadopportunitiesarelocated.
AClosingVision TheTaskForceonInstitutionalRacismatSt.OlafCollegeacknowledgestheCollective’scareandconcernfortheCollegeingeneratingthethoughtfuldemandsforchangethatitpresentedtothePresidentandthePresident’sLeadershipTeam.MembersoftheCollectiveforChangeontheHillexaminedcloselyanarrayofhistoricalpatternsofracistconductoncampus.Theyalsooutlinedindetailtwenty-sevendemandsimportanttoalteringourcampusclimate.MembersoftheTaskForceowesomeoftheirrichestinvestmentsoftime,intellect,andpassiontotheexampleoftruthfulandtransparentreflectiononlifeatSt.OlafthatstudentsintheCollectiveset.Honestself-reflectioncanbepainfulattimes,butrealhonestyisagift.TheTaskForcestrovetoproveworthyofit. ThegiftthattheCollectivegavethebelovedcommunityisoneofsight.Theyshedlightonthedysfunctioninourfamily.Theyexposedtothelighttheracismthatperiodicallyflaredupinourmidst.Theydocumentedthefactthatonecantracethisproblemtotheoriginsofcampuslife,butalsodemonstratehowoftenithasgoneignored.SystemicracismhasprovensoeasytodenyatSt.Olaf.ThisiswhytheCollective’scontributiontotheCollegeprovescourageousandultimatelycharitable,forthosewhoprotestbelievethatsocialjusticeispossible,thatourclimateofracismcanbefixedoncepeoplecanseethenecessityofaddressingit. Inpart,thechargeoftheTaskForceonInstitutionalRacismistoaccepttheCollective’sgifttoSt.OlafCollegeandtoextendthecommunity’sgaze.Eightpeoplecametogetheroverthesummertoexaminetwenty-sevendemands,verycarefullywordedandthoughtfullyconsideredsoastoactuallyalterstructuresofracismonourhill.Thehardestthingtodowhenmanydenytherealitiesthatsomeherefaceistosimplylookatwhatisthere.Looking,onestandsachanceofseeing,andseeingonecanmakearesponse,anhonestone.Theparticularsofeachdemandwarrantcloseattention,buttakentogether,theyurgentlycalltheCollegetotruthandtransparencyinacknowledgingthecostofhatespeechandhatecrimesagainstmarginalizedmembersoftheSt.Olafcommunity. MembersoftheTaskForcerecognizethecourageittakestohonestlylookatourinstitutionalflaws.InaclimateofdenialbuttressedbyacultureofMinnesotaniceandshoredupbystatementsabouttheCollege’sChristianidentity,itcostssomethingtoconfrontoursocialdysfunctions.ThosewhonameinjusticesatSt.Olaftakerealrisks.Somemayevensufferharshcodeviolations.Still,itisacredittotheCollegethatthoseresponsibleforrecruitmentattractedsuchhonorablestudents.TheTaskForceattemptedtofollowthetrailthattheyblazedlastspring,andtoguidetherestofthecommunityalongtheirmoralpath.
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ThechargeoftheTaskForceisnotonlytohelpmembersoftheSt.Olafcommunitytoperceivetheinstitutionalracismcausingdysfunctioninourmidst,butalsotomovefromdenialsordefensivereactionstoproactiveremediestotheCollective’sdemands,generatedsincethestudentprotestlastspring.Withacknowledgementandrecommendationsforchangecomeopportunitiesforrepairingillsandreconcilingrelationships.TheTaskForceonInstitutionalRacismbelievesthatwecannothavesharedcommunitywithouttruthandtransparency.Armedwithacommitmenttoaddressinstitutionalracism,awillingnesstochange,andspecificrecommendationsthatimprovethequalityoflifeforeveryoneonthehill,thewholeSt.Olafcommunitycanmoveforward. ThiswasandisourchiefgoalasmembersoftheTaskForceonInstitutionalRacism. WefaceddifficultiesasdisparatemembersoftheTaskForce,soourprocessprovedfarfromeasy.Ittooktimetobuildcommunity,todosoofnecessity,andtoagreetodisagreeabouttheCollective’sdemands.Wehadtodecideonourapproachtothem,discusswhethermembersoftheCollectivecouldattendmeetings,choosewhichdemandstoaddressfirst,evenwhethertochangethenameoftheTaskForce,andtokeeporexpungeeveryreferencetoraceorracismintheminutesandbyextensioninourreport.Wealsoconsideredwhethertoreleaseperiodicsummariesofourworktothepublic,andwhetherwecouldcontrolournarrative.Wedidnotalwaysagreeabouttheurgencyofademandorhowwemightrespond.Sometimesourconflictingperceptionsanddifferentstoriesstirreddeepemotions,someaccountssoundingunbelievableortheresponsestothemharsh.Attimestheremedieswediscussedandthedictionweusedgavesomepause.Clearly,wehadourhandsfull. Despiteourdifferences,webecameaworkinggroup,acommunitywhocouldcompromise,listen,hear,andappreciatethecontributionsthateachTaskForcememberbroughttoourmeetings.Wevaluedeveryvoice,tookseriouslyeachsession,andalwaysworkedhard.Seeinghowmuchtimeittooktothinkandtalkthrougheachdemandandadministratorresponse,andknowingthatwehadaSeptember1deadlinefortheTaskForcereport,weagreedthatourworkonlymarkedabeginning.Nevertheless,hardpressedtomeetourgoal,westayedthecourse,focusedonwhatwesharedincommon.
TheSt.Olafmissionstatementindicateswhatthatis.Itreads,”St.OlafCollegechallengesstudentstoexcelintheliberalarts,examinefaithandvalues,andexploremeaningfulvocationinaninclusive,globallyengagedcommunitynourishedbyLutherantradition.”Hereweareallcalledtoanestablishedsetofvalues,calledtoexamineourselves,calledtofindourplacesintheworld,andcalledtomakesignificantcontributionswhereverweare.Wedesiretoengagewithothers,whichiswhytheCollegeisuptothechallengeoftruthfullyandtransparentlyaddressingthedemandsoftheCollective.Becausetheirmembersdemandedaheartfeltresponse,theTaskForcedevotedpagestoitsfrankresponse,doingsoinrecognitionofurgenthonesty.Tothesparkthatthe
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Collectiveignitedlastspring,theTaskForceaddeditsflame,thekindthatoneassociateswithpioneerhearthsandhomes.
Thepathtogenuinecommunityprovespainfulbeforeoneclimbstoaclearing.Truthsspokenbeforeage-oldfiresaroundwhichonesitslisteningtostories--alldemandhumanpresenceandpatientacceptanceofthetexturesandtimbresofothervoices.Heresoundsbraidtogether,wrappinginsafetyallwhoareseatedinacircleoflight.Whenwerecallthefire’swarmglow,allanyonewillseeisatableauoffamilymembers.ImaginesuchaprojectionofSt.OlafCollegespanningtheglobe!Signedby,AssociateProfessorJoanHepburn,DepartmentofEnglish(Co-Chair)AssociateProfessorChrisChiappari,DepartmentofSociology/Anthropology(Co-Chair)SuSuAlmousa’19,AtefehAlavi’20,YishuDai’18(Students)ThomasFiebiger’78,SheridanBlanford’15(Alumni)