Statement to Faculty Regarding CST

2/3/16
Dear Members of the Faculty,

We recognize that there has been much concern and confusion regarding the incident in CST this past Monday when a faculty member was called out by protesters for displays of racism. We would like to clarify that the version of events that has been circulating does not accurately represent the situation as it occurred and does not embody our movement in its entirety. Furthermore, we would like to call attention to the fact that the incident occurred as a result of Earlham’s failure to provide students with a place to voice their grievances without fear of repercussions. We cannot guarantee that call-outs will not occur so long as the issues of institutional racism at Earlham continue to go unaddressed. The fact that public safety was alerted and false rumors were spread without first consulting the students about the incident exemplifies why it is imperative that we are guaranteed a safe space to report any faculty, staff, or administrators who actively perpetuate racism. We hope that the faculty does not allow this particular incident to distract from the legitimate problems that have led students to this point. We believe that the best way to proceed is by seriously considering the List of Requirements on its own merits.  We all need and deserve structural change, and we ask that the faculty support our vision of a college that is held accountable for meeting the needs of all its community members of color.

With hope and light,

EC Students Against Racism

2/8/16
The CST 3's Meeting with Shane

To whom this may concern,

On February 1, 2016 a group of concerned students of color orchestrated a walkout and protest that spanned the entire campus, through which we voiced various grievances with multiple departments, administration and faculty. Nonetheless, the protest in CST was acknowledged as a particular environment in which students voices about their grievances were perceived as misconduct. Specifically, three students have been accused of misconduct through a complaint that was filed on the behalf of the academic dean, Greg Mahler. Although there has been a multitude of complaints and grievances issued by students against certain faculty. Administration has not acknowledged or taken any action regarding students’ complaints. These three students have been charged with providing their version of events in CST on February 1. As students of color, we claim responsibility for the walk out and recognize that this protest was a direct consequence of the fact that students do not have a safe space to voice their grievances. Under no circumstances should the three students be singled out as individual actors in the concerted and impactful escalation of events that happened in CST Feb. 1.

EC Students Against Racism