Comments on: Hunger strikers plan to continue, despite statement from senior officers

By: friend

friend — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 04:04:34 +0000

Everyone should try to think about one thing: A lot of people are saying that the CSWG and hunger strikers do not offer viable money-saving alternatives for the college – the problem here is that they HAVE. Faculty have also offered many ideas that could save the college money, but the point here is that the college still insists they they will cut jobs, even if they make the money.

The problem is being approached the wrong way by so many people on campus who do not realize that THIS IS NOT A MONEY PROBLEM – alternatives have been proposed, and rejected. The administration will make unethical cuts despite the fact that they can save money.

This is not a last resort for the college. Basically the administration is trying to DOWNSIZE because they say they are overstaffed – yes, they are, but it is the administration that is bloated, not the staff or faculty. There are bedbugs in the dorms, Buildings and Grounds cannot answer to calls on time, because they are severely understaffed. If the administration cares that us students are not getting what we pay for, they should not be cutting. There are places to cut the budget which would save the people who work here, but the the fact is that the administration are trying to downsize by firing people who have worked at Vassar their whole lives, and it is deeply unethical. As students we are lucky, why not try to help the people who are unlucky, especially if it is obvious that there are ways in which this could be done. If the administration continues to cut people because they want to downsize, then someone should stand up to them and say that this is wrong.

I personally do not feel comfortable writing out solutions to the budget problem on this message board, but as I said, COME TO A MEETING. If you really want to know, you should put in the effort to find out.

By: Hunger strike cancelled according to email from Dean Roellke « From the Newsroom

Sat, 12 Dec 2009 22:42:05 +0000

[...] Advertise « Hunger strikers plan to continue, despite statement from senior officers [...]

By: 4S

4S — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 22:05:49 +0000

Aw, looks like someone got hungry! Better luck next time.

By: Blair

Blair — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 02:22:08 +0000

Hm, 4S, I would tend to disagree and say YOU are pathetic, attacking the way people physically look and smell. And hiding behind a veil of anonymity the entire time! Impressive and respectable. Oh wait, no..your actions are definitely neither of those things. Obviously they are not using the Main lobby as a homeless shelter. They’re using it as a place to raise awareness about the issues the care about. Finally, I truly am sorry that *you* don’t want to see their actions. However, you (believe it or not) are not the center of the universe, so if you don’t want to see it, then don’t walk by them. But don’t order people to go back to their rooms because you don’t want to see their hunger strike.

By: Blair

Blair — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 02:22:07 +0000

By: Evan Tintle Charpentier

Evan Tintle Charpentier — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 21:27:49 +0000

I tend to agree with Julia in that while your passion and commitment is admirable, it needs to be paired with creative thinking towards productive solutions.

There is great animosity in the comments I’m reading above – I think the Vassar spirit would be for everyone commenting here to sit in the lobby with the Hunger Strikers and calmly discuss potential solutions.

Have there been other opportunities for such a dialogue on campus?

-Evan Tintle Charpentier, ’03

By: Julia

Julia — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 17:19:00 +0000

I have to say I agree with those who are requesting that you yourselves make some suggestions- you demand creative solutions, what are yours? Refusing to answer questions like those posed by Faculty 1 & 2 does, as Bob Vance wrote, seem to suggest that you might not have answers. I respect the sentiment behind your actions but they seem pretty misguided in that they’re sensationalist and attention seeking… but seeking attention to what? What do you stand for other than job reinstatement? which obviously isn’t going to happen, at least not without a SERIOUS alternative. You’ve got a twitter, you’ve got a blog, you have these comments and the Main lobby. Give up the self important rhetoric and give us some answers because so far your whole protest seems pretty empty. Activism for the sake of activism is meaningless- stop defending yourselves with snarky responses and “what are YOU doing about it?!” and start providing the administration, faculty, and student body with some meaningful dialogue and important contributions to the issue. Otherwise all your passion and commitment totally goes to waste which is a shame considering how little there is on this campus.

By: 4S

4S — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 07:21:35 +0000

Since when did it become okay to turn the Main lobby into a homeless shelter? You people look pathetic. And you smell. Go to your rooms if you want to starve yourselves, I don’t want to see it.

By: Max Ehrmann

Max Ehrmann — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 07:01:48 +0000

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

By: Robyn Smigel

Robyn Smigel — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 05:49:25 +0000

Wait, Deirdre, did I say that all 13 people came up to me? Oh, no, I didn’t. Good catch you little detective, you! Let’s see, am I only allowed to count workers who’ve been laid off? Today, then, I guess there were 2 people. Yesterday there were a few others. Does this satisfy your curiosity?? Should I take pictures and get them checked against birth certificates? Wait another second, I forgot that I don’t interrogate the people that come and wish us luck — I actually don’t know how many of them lost their jobs, unless they mentioned it explicitly. One more second, I think I’m on to something . . . right, I don’t have to prove shit to you, nor do I care to! I really don’t need any validation from you to prove to myself that the workers who visited us were real. Wow, Deirdre, I’ve had so many realizations about myself! Thanks!!