Campus Activism

Brooke Calls for Change Balanced With Responsible Political Action

Speaks to NASC's Graduating Class

By HAROLD R. FLINCKER 
’'Changes must come, and they must come soon. But a policy of confrontation is often less likely to produce constructive change than reaction, with the desired results delayed for decades to come." That in short was the theme of Sen. Edward W. Brooke's address on "The Crisis of Belief" given yesterday at the 71th anniversary commencement exercises of North Adams State College in the Venable Hall gymnasium.

Must Seek Balance

"Obviously, no one who seeks progressive movement in a society," the senator said, "can take a stand-pat, status quo attitude. We need ferment. We need energetic political action to generate innovations in public programs. But there a a balance to be struck between continuity and change, between responsible political action and irresponsible political exploits."

[further transcription to come]

Cambodian protest spreads to area

Classes suspended at Williams

by James V. Walsh and Ira Mickenburg

The shockwaves of protest following the American military incursion into Cambodia reached into Northern Berkshire today with classes suspended at Williams College and a strike being organized at North Adams State College.

The protest, inflamed by the deaths of four Kent State University students yesterday, also caused the University of Massachusetts to close down and a strike was being organized at Berkshire Community College in Pittsfield.

There was also an effort being organized early this afternoon to set up a student strike center with a speakers bureau at the old church on Washington Avenue in North Adams.

In a meeting last night punctuated by loud cheers and applause, students at Williams voted to boycott classes for an indefinite length of time, in protest of President Nixon’s Indo-China policies.

The meeting took place in Chapin Hall, and was attended by approximately 1,300 Williams students and faculty members. By a vote of 1054-141 the group adopted a resolution containing the following three points:

1. A demand for an end to the invasion of Cambodia, an end to the bombing of North Vietnam, and an immediate withdrawal of all U. S. troops from Southeast Asia;

2. An end to governmental stifling of dissent, such as the cases of the Chicago 7 and the persecution of the Black Panthers;

3. An end to university complicity in war through government-sponsored campus research.

The resolution is based upon a similar proposal which was made last weekend at a mass rally in New Haven.

Earlier yesterday, Williams College President John E. Sawyer issued a statement deploring the American involvement in Southeast Asia. President Nixon’s policies, said Mr. Sawyer, “are tearing our nation apart.” When read aloud at the Chapin Hall meeting, Mr. Sawyer’s statement was greeted with a standing ovation from the students and faculty members.

In another meeting yesterday afternoon, the Williams faculty voted unanimous support for the students’ dissent, and agreed upon a two-day suspension of all classes. This faculty resolution was also read aloud at the Chapin Hall meeting by Prof. Vincent M. Barnett of the Political Science Department.

By this morning, the movement at Williams built up such a head ofsteam that some students were predicting the strike would last for the rest of the semester.

Another mass meeting in Chapin Hall at 9.30 a.m. ended with the formation of about 10 committees, whose members intend to fan out through Northern Berkshire Communities and colleges organizing a full-scale protest.

Several Williams students arrived at the NASC campus shortly after the meeting in order to start the movement rolling there. The NASC students and faculty were to meet at 12.30 today to discuss the latest war development and to vote on a strike resolution.

Dennis McDemott, a sophomore at NASC and one of the strike organizers, met with President James T. Amsler this morning to sound out the administration's feelings. According to McDermott, President Amsler indicated that if a strike is called the school would have to remain in operation for students who wish to continue with classes.

But, McDermott said, the president also indicated that strikers would not be penalized as long as they are actively and constructively working for the protest movement.

Williams students were also dispatched to Berkshire Community College in Pittsfield, Bennington College and the five college area around Northampton to assist in organizing strikes.

A Williams Strike Communications Center was established today at Sealy House, where workshops are scheduled later today. The workshops are intended to provide information and directions to students prior to canvassing the communities.

The students are to ask citizens to send a barrage of protesting petitions, letters and telegrams to key congressmen and government leaders. More specifically, the Williams leaders want an immediate halt to war appropriations as an effective way of ending the Vietnam conflict.

In addition, a busload of Williams students are scheduled to depart for Washington, D.C., Thursday night to act as marshals during a planned mass march on the nation’s capital this Saturday. Other demonstrators will leave by bus on Friday.

Still another committee was named to act in co-ordination with the New Mobilization Committee in Washington to assign and direct groups of protesters to individual congressmen who are willing to listen.

A petition circulated on the NASC campus this morning called the Cambodian incursion a “mad gamble” and called on President Nixon to end what it termed “a chauvinistic pursuit of personal pride and national prestige.”

“We can’t reconcile your strict constructionist view of the Constitution with your loose constructionist view of your oath of office,” the statement tells the president.

Meanwhile, another college-wide meeting of the Williams community has been scheduled for tomorrow night at 8 o’clock to determine if the strike should be continued. Observers say that it will undoubtedly last into the weekend, and that there is a “good possibility” it will shut down the campus for the rest of the academic year.

Another Williams committee is marshalling support for nationwide protest of the draft, and hopes to contribute to the goal of 100,000 draft cards turned in before the end of the week. 

Washington Ave. protest center established

William L. Cummings, a Williams student who has been active in North Adams anti-poverty work, said early this afternoon that area students are establishing a protest center at the old church at 39 Washington Ave. He said the use of the facility had been offered by the Berkshire Volunteers, a county organization structured along the same lines as VISTA. The center, he said, will maintain a speakers bureau in order to send speakers to any group or organization within the city. These speakers, he said, will explain the Cambodian situation, and the reasons behind the student strike. They will also attempt to co-ordinate and organize support for the strike. The speakers bureau can be reached by calling 663-9807, he said. Student volunteers from North Adams State College, Williams and Drury will staff the center, he said, as well as any interested people from the community at large.

"unity needed - Rally against cuts, tuition Wed Sept. 17"

On Wednesday, September 17, students and faculty from around the Commonwealth will be holding individual campus actions in opposition to the tuition increase, budget cuts, and loss of faculty through the policy of natural attrition.

At North Adams State College, the Student Association will hold a "town meeting" to address these concerns. The Student Association has been the prime organizers behind the fledging Massachusetts Students Association - an association representing students in public higher education in Mass. The MSA has organized rallies, demonstrations, workshops, meetings, and "teach-ins" at almost every public college or university for the September 17 date.

The Student Association at North Adams, and the MSA, believe that the Commonwealth will destroy the quality and effectiveness of public higher education if budget cuts continue in the next two years. To this end, the Student Association would like to invite the full participation of the entire campus community - students, faculty, administration and staff. To address the problem - to find the solution - we need to work together. We can begin by bringing the crisis in public colleges and universities to the attention of the state government and the Commonwealth taxpayers on Sept. 17 at  12:00 noon in the quadrangle.

For further information, please contact the Student Association offices in Murdock Hall or the Campus Center (3rd floor).

"President's Message - hey buddy, can you spare a million?"

Greetings and a sincere welcome to all new and returning students to the North Adams campus! A great number of hours have been spent by students, faculty and administrators in readying for academic year 1975-1976. President David Huband and Student Association officers have been on campus all summer reorganizing its governance and preparing programs to meet your interests and needs. The Campus Center Council has met this summer, and with the campus center open all year for the first time, has planned a most interesting program of activities.

However, hovering above all these preparations has been a dark cloud of doubt regarding the College budget and its ability to service the important academic needs of returning students. At this writing it would appear that a number of courses with enrolled students will be cancelled because of restrictions within our budget not allowing us to hire necessary faculty. I anticipate this will be, justifiably, a source of anguish and discouragement.

I can only ask that you work closely with your faculty advisor and our counseling office to make course adjustments and to do so with the realization that the College has spent many, many days trying to avoid this dilemma. We are hopeful that the second semester will be a more normal one.

A happy note is that we were fortunate to have on campus a worthy successor to Mr. George Jarck as Dean of Students in Dr. Raymond Sullivan. Mr. Jarck is returning to the classroom and Dr. Sullivan will be working closely with you on ail issues of campus life.

Kindly accept my best wishes for a pleasant and most rewarding year.

James T. Amsler
President of North Adams State

NASC students plan rally to protest impact of cuts

NORTH ADAMS—Students have organized an all-day rally Wednesday on the campus of North Adams State College to protest higher tuition, fewer teachers and the threat of further budget cuts.

Organized by the local student association, the rally will be like others scheduled for Wednesday on campuses of all state colleges, the University of Massachusetts in Amherst and many community colleges.

Laurie Beilie, secretary of the student association here, said today the rally will begin “probably at 9 or 10 in the morning and go for a good part of the day, until three or four in the afternoon."

The rally has the support of the faculty association, says its president, Dr. James R. Schoen, a professor of psychology. “We are supporting it and we plan to be there,’ he said.

No classes will be canceled, however, according to a recent announcement posted by college administrators. Whether teachers skip classes to attend the rally, said Dr. Schoen, will be a private decision.

Rally organizers are David Huband, president of the student association, Michael Bissonnette, the association’s attorney general and Marc Freedman, public relations director.

They were unavailable for comment today, and Ms. Bailie said she has no details on the rally’s format. The college newspaper said this week the rally will be like a town meeting.

It will follow the campus address Tuesday by Janet Murphy, acting provost of the State College Board of Trustees which sets policy and approves budgets for all state colleges.

Students want to protest three things, said Ms. Bailie. First, teachers have already been lost — by not being hired as replacements — because state lawmakers have imposed interim budget limits 10 per cent below last year’s spending.

There is talk among legislators of cutting the 1975-76 state college budget even further which may mean more of the cuts in class numbers and higher class enrollments already in force.

Second, state college trustees have approved increases in tuition for state college students: from $300 to $500 a year for state residents over the next 18 months, and from $600 to $1,200 a year for non-residents.

Third, students think the state should reverse the balance of state aid to students, from 75 per cent to private college students and 25 per cent to state college students, to exactly the opposite.

The Quality of Life - From Here to There

A rally to protest the recent moves taken by the State College Board of Trustees was held on Wednesday, September 17 in the quadrangle. The rally, sponsored by the Student Association, addressed itself to the proposed $200 tuition increase, the attrition policy, and cut backs in financial aid.

Also protested was the possibility of eliminating the Winter Study Program.

To open the rally,  Marc Freedman, Public Relations Director of the Student Association, announced that an informal student referendum was being conducted regarding such questions as: a bus between Greylock Hall (St. Joseph's Convent) and the campus to benefit the 87 students housed there, participation in the October march to Beacon Hill in protest of the 10% budget cut and $100 per semester tuition increase and the adoption of rent control in North Adams.

The main focus of the rally was on the repercussions of present budget cuts that have increased the size of classes and frozen faculty positions recently vacated. Dr. Kenneth Wadoski of the Sociology-Anthropology Department commented that his department has been "hard hit" by the budget cuts. He is very concerned with this matter and felt that the entire college community should be likewise. In his remarks, Dr. Wadoski said "You're the ones who are first to suffer in this."

Dr. James Schoen of the Psychology Department stressed the need for parents to write to the college administrators and state legislators. "One letter from a parent is worth 10 or 15 from us."

Michael Bissonette, Attorney General of the Student Association, made a personal statement urging the people assembled not to return to classes. "There is strength in numbers."

Dr. Randall Hansis chairman of the Department of History and Political Science stated, "we have a common poverty, not a commonwealth." He called the tuition increase a "tax on students." He also addressed himself to the possibility that there will be no Winter Study Program this January and urged that alternatives be explored to "save some of the good things we have here."

Anthony Chelte, News Director of WJJW criticized Paul Parks, secretary of Higher Education, who is advocating the layoff of 2,150 state employees and the closing of 4 state colleges, which would "jeopardize 25,000 students presently enrolled."

Continued on Page 2

Dr. Samuel Gomez of the Philosophy Department said, "Give the college back to the people."

Mr. Charles Mc Isaac Director of Freel Library cited the possible consequences of budget cuts: "We may have to cancel all magazine and newspaper subscriptions."

"There are only 9 people in this library to serve you''...and added that if work study funds are cut, "The library will grind to a very slow pace."

Also speaking at the rally were Dr. Leonard Paolillo chairman of the Sociology-Anthropology Department, Dr. Daniel Connerton of the History-
Political Science Department.

Dean of Administration Anthony Ceddia commented privately that he was "pleased to see that the students were able to organize an effective rally to bring the students here. Before you can mount an effective public relations campaign, you have to educate your constituency and they seem to be doing that well." 

President James T. Amsler was in Boston on Wednesday and Thursday at meetings concerning the budget cuts, according to his secretary.

Attendence was approximated at 1,000 between 12:45 and 1:15 p.m.

Campus Comment - Because Enough People Cared...

by Claire C. Lamothe and Steven Viera

"I'm here at the rally today because I really don't know exactly what has been happening. The rally makes everyone stick together." David Coutu '76

"I want to see something done about large class sizes. And the limited number of courses offered each semester. This rally is a good idea." Monica Lyten '77

"Not only did they cut a golf team that I wanted to play on but they also raised the tuition and I'm not sure if I can afford school next semester. This rally is a necessity!" Paul Leone '79

"This rally gives us a chance to talk about the budget cuts and all its effects. It also tells a lot about what's going on." Tom Mabie '79

"My Sociology teacher prep-talked me into  coming to the rally. I'm partially interested in what's going on." Mary Rodgers '79

"I find it important to know what I'm getting into here at NASC. I need to get all I can out of my education." Christie Gillis '79

"I'm the first person in my family coming to this school and I'm pissed off about all the cuts. I'm here to ask questions." Miles Bowen '79

"The State College situation is a major problem. Today I am trying to see what can be done about our Winter Study Program." Dr. Anthony Gengarelly, History Dept., Chairman-Winter Study

"I really think out-staters have really been hit by the tuition. hikes. I'm from Albany, and I've been personally affected. This rally makes it possible for us to find out what is going on." Kathy Harris '79

"I'm very interested in what is happening here today. I think it is very disappointing to see the tuition rates go up." Dr. Richard Hatch, Psychology Dept.

College pomp includes protest

NORTH ADAMS - Faculty members at North Adams State College carried their four-year old battle for pay raises to commencement exercises Saturday.

Through picketing by about a dozen professors, attired in academic costume, the distribution of protest literature, and a special address by the outgoing president of the faculty association, teachers hope to win support from parents and families of graduates in pressuring Governor Michael S. Dukakis to sign legislation that will provide funds.

Throughout the ceremony, it was unclear whether graduates themselves supported the dramatic action, opposed it, or merely were amused.

Job action, designed to be a “bellringer" for faculty protest at other state college commencements in June and a herald of more severe protest next year if no raises are forthcoming, was on the fringe of the campus.

One low key move, which got overwhelming, but not unanimous support from teachers, was removal of the mortarboard cap when seniors received degrees. 

Donald E. Washburn, the English professor who represented faculty at the podium, said the gesture was designed to mark the sacrifices both parents and teachers make to provide an education for students.

Calling his appearance an “unprecedented opportunity,” Dr. Washburn told the audience he wanted to “alert you to events that already are affecting us and soon will be affecting you.”

He complained that level funding, the governor’s announced plan of trimming college budgets to previous year levels, threatens to kill chances of higher education for thousands of Bay State residents.

Under level funding, a state college must pare down its faculty and programs to keep pace with inflation, increase charges to students, and gouge itself if any raises are provided for professional staff.

“Look around you,” Dr. Washburn said, “as quickly as the college has grown as quickly it can be destroyed. What will state colleges be like after five years of neglect?” he asked.

Protest leaflets, which included a postcard recipients should send to the governor, said the financial situation of the schools and teachers was a “shame.” Teachers, say leaflets, have suffered a 30 per cent cut in earning power since the state imposed a wage freeze. It also notes Massachusetts ranks 48th in the nation in per capita support to public higher education.

Negotiations with the state are a “sham,” the literature says. In April, both sides reached agreement towards a contract calling for a 2.8 per cent retroactive hike per year for the period. Late this month, Mr. Dukakis rejected the agreement.

Reaction was mixed to the faculty protest.

A West Springfield couple said they were unconcerned, “it doesn’t bother us.”

“The picketing? It’s neat, great,” said a graduate, while another gave a terse, “No comment.”

One young man, cap slightly askew, said he supported the teachers. “There should be more of them out there.”

A Cheshire student, serving as an usher, said the picketing was not right, “this isn’t the place for it. It’s a day for graduates and their parents. Many of the seniors are against it.”

Clark H. Billings, chairman of the history department, refused to participate in the protest. He said he wouldn’t join the academic procession in the ceremony because he didn’t want to be associated with dissident teachers. "The parents can’t tell the difference,” he said. 

Leonard F. Paolillo, a sociology professor, said, “No, I don’t feel foolish (in the protest), I fed disgusted at having to resort to protest”.

He said “it was amazing to see this faculty, basically conservative a year or two ago, now with picket signs.”

Marc Goldstein, new president of the association, says faculty are to meet today. Teachers are expected to ratify a state contract with “a salary package literally forced down our throats.”

He predicted faculty “will take the money (similar to a wage package given other state workers, who had won pay hikes over the past four years, last summer), swallow our pride and dignity, then will work strenuously to change the situation.”

If a contract is ratified, negotiations will be almost immediately on a new one. The controversial agreement expires in July.

NASC campus speaks out: Cut no more

by SUSAN SLATTERY and PAUL MORIARTY 

NORTH ADAMS At noon Wednesday, members of three unions jammed the Venable Gym at North Adams State College to protest recent state-mandated cuts in the college's annual budget.

In response to the stale’s projected $633 million deficit, each college in the 29-campus system must cut its budget by 3 percent.

For NASC. this means returning $294,000 to the state.

For students, this means that fewer classes will be offered this spring semester; some courses face cancellation; degree programs will be delayed or disrupted, graduation plans for students may be affected; and tuition fees have been increased by $150 for the spring semester.

Members of the three unions at the college, the Association of Faculty and Librarians, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, the Student Government Association, handed out information sheets describing how the 3 percent cut would affect the college and its students.

In addition, a hiring freeze means that fewer instructors will be available for students, and fewer workers will be available to main-
tain the college, the handout says.

In a brief address to the campus community. Dr. Catherine Tisinger, NASC president, said the other nine colleges in the stale system will also be affected by the cuts.

“we're one of 29 institutions that serve the Commonwealth. What happens at NASC affects us, but other people as well," she said.

“It's very unfair,” said Todd Vroman. president of the Student Government Association, “This is the second or third cut we've experienced. It’s just like the sign (on the gym wall) says...they're cutting the muscle, not the fat."

The total toss for the college this calendar year promises to fall in the vicinity of $1 million range That's about 10 percent of the school's operating budget, the information sheets say.

“This is unfair to the students. We shouldn't have to pay for poor management,” Vroman said.

"As of now it's going to reduce enrollment,” he said.

"I've been in touch with President Tisinger and she's been helpful but communication is slow because she's waiting on the Board of Regents," Vroman said.

Thomas Stewart, a business- accounting major, said Gov. Michael Dukakis is going right for the jugular with the budget cuts.
See Rally, Page 2

Paula Shaughnessy, a second semester junior finance major, agrees. “They’re (the state) is giving less (money) and taking more away.”

Because of the cuts, students will also lose a counselor from both Career Development and Counseling Services. The Campus Center will lose one employee, and two maintenance positions will not be filled in the spring, the information sheets say.

The college will also lose three full- time faculty members, and maintenance services will be curtailed, because overtime pay has been cancelled. Because of this, repairs will be deferred and safety will be affected, the information sheets say.

Finally, community resource projects and cultural affairs will be on hold for the spring semester, the information sheet says.

Deborah Foss-Goodman, associate professor in the psychology department, said the commonwealth shouldn’t take money away from higher public education.

“The commonwealth has to invest in public higher education. We are the future of the commonwealth of Massachusetts and we deserve the best in higher public education,” Foss-Goodman said. “Public education is a right, not a privilege.”

“How much more can we be squeezed before our breath is taken away,” Foss-Goodman said in a hoarse voice. "If we don’t protest we might as well say ‘go ahead and cut our budget.”

“I urge you to get in touch with elected officials. We must send a message loud and clear to Boston,” Foss-Goodman said. “Just because North Adams is in the cold and snowy part of the commonwealth doesn’t mean we won't be heard."

Leonard Paolillo, president of the statewide faculty association, said, “Massachusetts already ranks 34th in the nation In its support of public higher education. To meet the calls for educational excellence, we cannot then refuse to fund our public institutions and pretend that starving our state colleges will magically produce that goal.”

Paolillo, in a powerful address, told students at the rally to call the governor’s office over their Christmas break, to let him know “that you just can’t take it anymore.” He told them to write letters, and contact their state representatives and senators.

“And get everyone you know to do the same thing. We need a swell of support for higher education ... And we will not be denied!”

“Call the governor’s office and complain and let him know your feelings on the budget cut,” Paolillo said. “There are some people in the state that don’t think we matter much. Contact your state representatives and have your families contact the state representatives to fight the cuts.”

“He’s using the direct method, going right for the money,” he said.

State Rep. Daniel Bosley, D-North Adams, also addressed the students. He said the fat in the budget was marbled all over the place, and it wasn’t fair to cut from just one area.

Bosley described cutting the budget here and there, rather than all from one area, such as education, as a real “balancing act.”

And Bosley reiterated Paolillo’s request for students to call and to write their representatives.

“We get calls on everything else, but not about higher education,” Bosley said. “And if you don’t call, somebody else is going to grab your piece of the pie.”

“There are very few people right now calling the governor’s office about higher public education and I think it’s one of the most important things in the budget We’ve already hit the colleges hard”

“I’m going to continue giving the message to the governor but I can’t do it alone,” Bosley said.

“This is not a good situation. We really don’t know what’s going to happen, I mean, 1 hope there are no layoffs,” said Joseph Arabia, supervisor in maintenance and residence life.

"Student protest: Then and now." North Adams Transcript, Saturday, December 1, 1990, p. 9. Text: "PROTESTING - Students have protested U.S. policy at Williams and in North Adams in the past and present (clockwise from upper left). 

Williams students protest the bombing of Cambodia in the 1970s.

North Adams State College students protest the escalating military presence in the Persian Gulf Wednesday. National Guardsmen look on.

Maggie Agosto, a non-traditional student at North Adams State College, reads the names of soldiers who have died during Operation Desert Shield during Wednesday's protest. Students like down as other trace the fall in chalk.

North Adams students at the protest Wednesday.

People for Peace protested the mandatory draft registration instituted in 1980 in front of the North Adams post office. It had been the first draft registration instituted in seven years.

Williams students protest bombing of Cambodia.

Williams students protest the U.S. presence in Vietnam.

Photos of North Adams State College protest by Kevin Connolly. 

All other photos from Transcript files.

Students respond to arming of campus police

By Ed Damon, Editor in Chief

The campus has been alive with conversation since the Board of Trustees voted 10-1 to arm campus police.

At Monday's SGA meeting, President Todd Foy’s opening remarks concerned the Board's decision, which he said marks the end of a chapter. 

“Know that I, like many of you, are in no way pleased with the Board of Trustees’ decision to arm our campus police,” he said. “Though they considered every piece of information and opinion with utmost scrutiny, I believe the decision reflects the disregard of student opinion. For that, you have every right to be upset and express that in appropriate ways.

"I ask that we put aside personal feelings on the issue and focus on the issue at hand, which is arming our campus police,” he said, advising the Senate against motioning to condemn anyone involved with the decision.

“When we lose sight of the issue at hand, we lose sight of the sense of community that makes the institution what it is. And when that happens, nobody wins,” Foy added.

Foy said he and Student Trustee Jaynelle Bellemore will be involved with a task force working on how to go about arming campus police. He also said President Grant and Joseph Charon, director of Public Safety, will be at the next SGA meeting, Monday Feb. 13, to answer final questions. 

The sole vote against the issue was from Bellemore, who said it would change the campus climate.

“Students have negative and unsafe feelings attached to guns,” she said. 

Trustees cited increased violence and a changing world for their decision. Trustee Jane Allen said her decision to vote in favor of arming officers was based in part on her experience as an elementary school principal.

“I can honestly tell you nothing weighs heavier in mind than the safety of my students,” she said. “I will pass my vote in favor for the safety of students.”

The Board's decision influenced a group of students to protest in front of Eldridge Hall for several mornings. Several students assembled near the parking lot of Eldridge and Mark Hopkins Halls to greet administrative staff as they arrive to campus.

Kate Larson, a senior present at the protests Friday morning, said she is upset over the student voices repeatedly being ignored. 

“A repeated pattern has been ignoring student voices and concerns,” she said. “There’s a lot of things that the community cares about that the Administration ignores. And now they’ve ignored the student vote.”
GUNS, continued on page 5

The discussion began from a state Board of Higher Education recommendation in 2008 that stated, “Sworn campus police officers should be armed and trained in the use of personal or specialized firearms.” The report outlined steps colleges should take to ensure the safety of students and faculty.

Charon argued for the arming of campus police since the department has sworn police officers with the same training and responsibilities as other police forces. The campus police are required to act if they see a crime. Since the campus is expanding farther into the city, the officers are being put at risk if they come upon a crime, he said.

The introduction of firearms will carry an initial cost of $24,635 and cost $6,026 annually. All officers will go through firearms training with the state Criminal Justice Training Council.

Protesting through Poetry

by Emily Gabert, Features Editor

Students gathered on the second floor of Bowman Hall Friday to engage in a peaceful protest using the power of collected words.

Senior Bryanna Bradley and sophomore John Kelly stood on chairs, reading poetry inspired by students’ experiences on campus in the current political and social climate. The poems detailed feelings of discomfort, loneliness and frustration, and how the narrator felt voiceless. They also mentioned how the 2016 presidential election was the first they were able to participate in.

The poetry reading was organized by senior Phillip Shedd, and English/Communications Professor Kelli Newby. The pair worked together last semester on the production of Venable 8, a play about gun violence.

Shedd explained they wanted to extend the conversation into another semester. The recent events on campus also inspired them to stand up.

“This is something we had to do right now,” Shedd said.

Shedd gathered information from multiple points of view, many of which came from students’ feelings post-election season. Interviews with students

POETRY, Page 4

from the Black Student Union, Latin American Society and the Queer Student Union, among others, were held.

Thoughts and feelings were not only taken from one side of the political spectrum but also the opposing point of view, along with those who do not identify with the popular parties and from people with unique experiences.

“This is how I’m feeling and how many other people are feeling,” Bradley explained. “We have to address uncomfortableness. We're all tired; everyone can voice their opinion, but people are dismissing the truth of others. It’s disgusting.”

Kelly, who politically identifies as a Libertarian, explained how he felt out of place being on a different side of the political spectrum, and how many students were quick to dismiss him for his decision to vote for the libertarian party nominee Gary Johnson.

“People are listening to respond,” he said, “and it’s bringing people apart instead of bringing people together.”

Newby said she had been listening to different points of views and found that more people are not as open to having conversations.

She hopes that with a medium like theater, it can help bring more people together to address some of the largest of issues in our society.

“I feel like people want to dismiss this society as being postracial when it’s not,” Bradley said. “My main frustration is that people aren’t acknowledging experiences; people are being dismissed and not being represented...just because it isn’t happening to you, doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. We need to learn how to have conversations.”

Much like Newby, Shedd also finds there to be power in theater, as it does not exclude people, or it usually doesn’t drive people away just by a title.

“Theater is one of the best platforms,” Shedd said. “You don’t have to put something off by titles, it’s all inclusive. Everything caters to everyone.”