Student's petition e-mail leads to disciplinary action

Author: Lisie Mehlman

An online petition protesting recent changes to the College's residential life system has garnered over 300 student signatures, but the misuse of an all-campus e-mail to advertise the petition has led to disciplinary action against the student responsible for its creation.

The "Keep the LIFE in ResLife" petition, launched in mid-March by Jamie Fuchs '07, currently boasts 349 student signatures. According to Fuchs, her intention was not to effect any particular change, as the policy decision it challenges had already been made, but more to "see whether other students felt the same way."

Although the petition itself did not violate college policies, Fuchs was contacted by the administration after she sent an all-campus e-mail encouraging students to show their support for the existing residential life system. Fuchs admitted she did not have permission to send the e-mail, but said she was surprised when the administration asked her to apologize for her action.

"This violation typically does not warrant much administrative attention, however, because of the 'anti-administration' content of my e-mail, I had to go to Meeker House to apologize to [Dean of the College] Tim Spears," said Fuchs. "Having to go to Meeker House and apologize to Tim Spears was absolutely terrifying. It resulted in my forgetting about the petition, putting my head down and focusing on my studies."

Citing student confidentiality, Spears declined to comment on the incident.

Fuchs said she had meant for her petition to be pro-Commons Deans rather than anti-administration, but that recent events led her to believe that her petition had touched on larger issues.

"With [Cook Commons] Dean Edleson's recent announcement that he will be leaving, I now realize that I might have been on to something," said Fuchs. "Perhaps my having to go apologize to Tim Spears for the 'anti-administration content' of my e-mail is yet another symptom of the top-down 'decision-making culture,' which catalyzed Dean Edleson's early departure."

A staunch proponent of the residential life system currently in place, Fuchs served as a junior counselor in Atwater Commons during her sophomore year. She decided to launch a petition to "quantify" the positive impact of the residential life system on campus, and show student disapproval for the way in which changes to the residential life system had been decided.

"I did not want this decision to be accepted without dissent," said Fuchs. "It's something I care deeply about, so I had to speak up."

Fuchs said that she never expected the petition to yield as many signatures as it did, and was also pleased with the comments posted on the petition's website that demonstrated the breadth of student support for her cause. Nick DeSantis '07 said he signed the petition because he "just wanted people to know that the administration should be actively engaging with the students when making big decisions."

"As someone who has worked in the Commons system and residential life for the past 2 years, I don't appreciate it when the administration goes over our heads to make decisions without consulting the people who know the most about the day-to-day life of Middlebury students," wrote DeSantis in an e-mail.

"The Middlebury Board of Trustees and administration need to realize that Middlebury is an institution dedicated not only to developing students of the highest academic merit, because we are also dedicated to fostering individuals of high character. ResLife is the corner stone of this endeavor," wrote Beau Baldock '07, another signer, on the petition (www.ipetitions.com/petition/keeptheLIFEinResLife). "By radically downsizing ResLife at Midd, the administration can rejoice at a few extra dollars in their budget, but I believe they stand blind and ignorant to the threat of an equally degrading personal and moral character in the student body."

Despite the disciplinary consequences of her all-campus e-mail, Fuchs said that the process raised hope for a future dialogue.

"The one good thing that came of my trip to Meeker House was a potential meeting with Tim Spears and interested students regarding the decision to change Residential Life staff," said Fuchs. "Prior to Spring Break, he agreed to meet with students and I saw him last Wednesday at the Public Service Leadership Awards dinner at which he said he would 'be in touch.' I have yet to hear back from him regarding this discussion."

Other students also wanted to better understand the changes. DeSantis commented on the petition that he'd "love to hear more about a potential gathering with Tim Spears."

"Mainly, though, I'm interested in talking to him about the changes, instead of just listening to him tell us how the decision was made," said DeSantis. "I want to be sure that there's some space for student input in that discussion."

Fuchs' petition, which she said "is less about the specific changes to the ResLife System and more about the way in which the decision was made," came on the heels of the administration's announcement that the number of Commons Residential Advisors (CRAs) would be halved from 10 to five for the next academic year.

Additionally, next year Junior Counselors (JCs) will be paid, referred to as First-Year Counselors (FYCs) and will take on some of the responsibilities that currently fall within the CRAs' domain.

Fuchs, who throughout her time at the College has developed a strong relationship with Dean of Atwater Commons Scott Barnicle, said that she viewed the residential life system as a critical component of student life on campus.

"[Dean Barnicle] provides this empowering assistance to every student that walks into his office whether they realize it or not," said Fuchs. "That's what Commons Deans bring to this campus."