Newspapers / The Guilfordian (Greensboro, N.C.) / April 4, 2014, edition 1 / Page 10
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1 \ kr . ■f y \ 'j £1 ■): \\ [ *’ ii OPINION 10 WWW.GUILFORDIAN.COM Letter to the Editor: Distinction or extinction I heard this phrase recently amidst a conversation among colleagues. I believe it starkly captures our future as we seek a new president. Private colleges are under assault. For-profits like Phoenix University, online courses with the Stanford University brand, as well taxpayer-funded publics all offer prospective students lower cost choices. All forgo personal faculty-student relationships to keep tuition down. Students today need more services, including full computer support, wireless capacity and career services to name just a few. To fund these and other essential expenses, colleges have raised tuition faster than household incomes can allow. Government has shown little interest in filling this gap. Consequently, student debt has skyrocketed as access has declined. Wealthier schools can continue this path, as they allot larger portions of their endowment to student financial aid. This option is increasingly unavailable for colleges like Guilford. In this environment, colleges that offer distinctive residential and academic experiences will likely survive. Simply marketing our extensive writing programs, student-centered learning or values-based education informed by Quaker testimonies will not achieve such survival. As important as they are, they function less to distinguish than to align us with our peers. Consistent with our core values and the best parts of our history, Guilford College can gain recognition as a leader in "inclusive excellence." According to the Association of American Colleges and Universities, such an education fully embodies diversity, inclusion and equity throughout the institution. Embracing these concepts will transform our academic community into one that wholly welcomes historically disadvantaged groups as it raises student learning. We gain cultural competency and become "equity-minded practitioners" as we engage in challenging conversations over how our curriculum, pedagogy, practices, facilities and norms continue to advantage certain students, staff, faculty and administrators. Moving in this direction is not only right but pragmatic. In a country undergoing fundamental demographic changes, we would do well to attract the increasing number of applicants of color as well as offer all of our students the skills, experiences and perceptions gained from operating in a truly diverse, inclusive and equitable environment as they embark on their post-graduate careers. Bob Williams, professor of economics F airy wings emerge from the depths of students' closets, face paint is splattered on every possible part of the body, and bits of glitter glisten all over campus. Serendipity weekend is a fun-filled event created to bring the community together and celebrate the arrival of spring. Things can get a little crazy, so here are some of our suggestions to help you enjoy and survive the zany extravaganza. 1). Stay hydrated: Large crowds amplify the temperature, especially at the night concerts. Drink plenty of water so you don't overheat and pass out. 2). Keep the bags at home: Security will be posted at the entrances of facilities. Leaving your bags at home will prevent searching, confiscation, and RA documentation. 3). Stock up on the glitter: Serendipity wouldn't be the same without the specs of shiny debris. Michaels is a reliable craft store with various glitter color options and reasonable prices, and sometimes if you're lucky, you can get a deal when buying in bulk. 4). Buddy system: Find a buddy and hold onto them for the night. Remember not to be clingy, but having a friend near by can come in handy. 5). Only yes means yes: With this year's consent campaign, it is important to remember to receive consent, not just concerning sex, but drug use as well. We don't necessarily condone drug use, but it is important be mindful of what you are taking and of other people's comfort levels. 7). Keep an open mind: Yes, weird things happen at Serendipity, but Guilford is all about learning new perspectives Go to as many events as possible, even if you only stop by briefly. You can enjoy almost anything as long as you're in good company. 6).Be a helping hand. Let's remember that we are a community and we should look out for one another and take care of each other. EFLECTING GUIIFORD COLLEGE'S CORE QUAKER VALUES, THE TOPIG AND CONTENT OF STAFF EdITORIAG ARE OIOSEN THROUGH CONSENSUS OF ALL 1 5 EDITORS AND ONE FACULTY ADVISER OF ThE GuILFORDIAN’S EDITORIAL BOARD. Core Values: Equality Equality is defined as the state of being equal, especially in status, rf^its and opportunities. In what ways may Guilford College build upon this concept of equality as we move into the future? Are we living up to this value already? **Guilford College has a lot of room for improvement on (equality). The Collegers leadership is still mostly white men. While most of them seem to do their jobs well, the lack of diversity among the highest-paid people at the College is one of many ways that the College as an institution suffers from the problem of racial and gender hierarchy. Practices that benefit those who q^e already significantly better off than the rest of the College community and ar^ not available to everyone else should, as a matter of principle, be ruled out at any institution which claims equality as a core value.** Maria Hosah$, asfodate professor of pMcd sdemx “I don’t think there is equality in how staff and faculty are treated and perceived versus how senior administrators are treated and perceived. Everyone is vital to the educational mission of the College, and we should all be treated as such. For example, the 2014-2015 ‘worse case’ scenario budgeted raise pool for all faculty and staff is $235,000.This is close to, if not less than, what our Vice President of Advancement makes in just one year. In other words, barely cost-of- living raises for 200 plus employees after a three-year salary freeze equals one vice president’s annual salary. Clearly then, we have not all borne the brunt of harsh economic times equally.” DlyaAbdo, assodsae profi^^r of Er^ish 7 believe we do a pretty good job with equality.We call teachers by their first name and it makes the dynamic of the class more equal. We get students* input on important issues. No certain group of student is favored in the classroom such as athletes or any other type of student* Mkhael MacVane, senior ‘‘Equality is something that we always strive for in our interactions with the student senate, administration and faculty.The CCE SGA and Student Senate collaborated in organizing the recent board of trustee’s Town Hall meeting but that event was also something that the board sought to engage in as well. In the future, communication between all organizations is a concept we would like to continue and thereby enhance the concept of equality between each group.” Sarah Dreier-Kasik, CCE SGA president, senior BY ROBERT PACHECO Staff W|i.iTER J_L
The Guilfordian (Greensboro, N.C.)
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April 4, 2014, edition 1
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