Summary of Oct. 29, 2015 Town Hall Meeting
The following is a summary of the topics discussed during the Town Hall on Self-Gov, held Oct. 29 at noon. About 100 students, faculty, and staff attended.
Thanks to all who came for participating in a respectful yet lively discussion. Thanks also to Dixon Romeo ’16 for acting as mediator.
The points brought up during the town hall can be organized into three major categories:
The Grinnell Community
What is a community?
Speakers discussed the need to refine our understanding of what it means to be a part of the Grinnell community. What is it that connects us? How should members of a small, intentional community act and interact?
How does self-gov apply to the entire community?
Some speakers were concerned about how to integrate the idea of self-gov into all aspects of daily Grinnell life, not just for students but also for faculty and staff as well.
What is self-gov after graduation?
Several speakers pointed out the presence of alumni as a diaspora Grinnell community. How do they fit in as community members? How does self-gov translate to life after graduation?
The Performance of Self-Gov
Self-gov as proactive
Some speakers stated that too many students see self-gov as reactive, as a way of policing others, rather than as a proactive way of living with respect and intention.
Self-gov and parties
Many speakers discussed the performance of self-gov at parties. Some felt that communal activities such as 10/10 and Block Party aren’t consistent with Grinnell’s values. Others pointed out that parties are a good place to practice self-gov and to engage with the community. A few non-student speakers pointed out that discussions of self-gov always seem to center around parties — a very student-centric approach.
Self-gov is everywhere
Many speakers asserted that they see the performance of self-gov every day, and that the community should recognize the things that are being done right as well as the areas that need attention.
Self-gov for second-, third-, and fourth-year students
Some speakers also expressed a desire for more discussions of self-gov for second-, third-, and fourth-year students, saying that there are many opportunities for first-year students to learn about the concept, but no support for them in later years as their understanding of self-gov might become more complex.
The Definition of Self-Gov
Need a simple definition
Many speakers asserted that there is a need to have an accessible definition of self-gov so that all members of the community can be on the same page. Some said that this would help the community to identify whether the current concept and performance of self-gov is truly consistent with Grinnell’s values.
Self-gov in practice today
Many speakers expressed a desire for examples of self-gov in practice, rather than abstract notions of what the community hopes for it to be in the future.
Community-governance?
One speaker suggested that since self-gov is about responsibility to the Grinnell community by all members, it should be called community-governance instead of self-governance.
Need for flexibility
One speaker said that the community must be mindful of the fact that the definition of self-gov will change for each generation, and that the community must allow for that flexibility. The definition of self-gov in the 1970s is very different from the current understanding because students then were living in a different context.