Summary of comments and proposed initiatives of the Campus Climate Working Group / November 17, 1999

FOCUS: Student protest preceding convocation, the Daily Jolt, comments on "What's Next" conference

Convocation/UAA Demonstration

Comments	Proposed Initiatives
To know where money is going and keep race and class in focus. Did it spark dialogue on race/class or backlash from administration?
Some reactions to demonstration: Complaint, confusion, frustration Post-action UAA forum: Intense conversations on issues, wide student participation	UAA literature could be clearer Take conversations to houses Continue discussion and action Research ways to facilitate dialogue/action

The Daily Jolt

Comments	Proposed Initiatives
Anonymous forum for Five College area Most negative reaction to UAA action from students	See what's going on in DJ to get feel of campus climate
Concern re: hostile comments without follow-up discussion	Need to engage in dialogue with those who are opposed to UAA

Conference

Comments	Proposed Initiatives
Worry re: lack of student participation Lack of knowledge of conference? Students didn't seem to know about it? Student participation welcome? Too much work? People still find reasons not to attend	Inform students of future conferences Cancel classes during future conferences Provide HRs & HCs with training & support to encourage discussion groups in houses
Student participation welcome? Are we preaching to the converted?	Alternative actions may attract more attention (e.g. events and info on Web page)
How to overcome this problem	Training in non-defensive communication HR offering cross-cultural mediation in Jan/Feb; faculty, staff and student leaders invited. 3 full days & 6 half days leading to certification. For information call 2263
People fear speaking up--afraid opinions will not be acceptable	Need to constructively address complexity of intersection of race/class issues. Look at what community means. Aim toward community that is diverse, not simply addressing diversity
Classroom environment How aware is the faculty of student opinions on issues? Feeling that faculty members don't participate enough or encourage students to do so	With student input look at how to change classroom environment. Make clear this is a faculty issue also eg: - announce events & Incorporate into classroom activities
Clarify what is not acceptable: Schools like Smith have resources to do so much more re: real diversity	Copies of videos of "What's Next" available at Neilson, Media Services Opportunity to be heard on national level Activists in Residence Program at Smith, so students can connect academic work with outside world Institutionalize mandate Make sure students are informed of similar events Give students vote in decision- making Train HCs & HRs & give incentives for students to engage Go into community--get away from elitism Use SSW resources for action & community