Students and faculty work to promote change
Emily Stocking
Issue date: 5/1/09 Section: News
By Emily Stocking
Advertising Representative
924176142@gsc.edu
In the past two semesters, issues related to tolerance, civil discourseand discrimination have been increasing on the Gainesville State College campus.
Alicia Caudill, associate vice president for student development and dean of students, is working to spread awareness and build an academic community.
"These were places where I thought we might start to set the foundation for more conversations, more ideas and more programs to happen," said Caudill.
The Center for Teaching, Learning and Leadership will be offering a series of panels for the remainder of this spring and the next academic years. Groups of under-represented students will be asked to serve on these panels to tell their stories. Groups may include African-American, Latino, International, non-traditional, disabled and other types of students.
"We need to know people's stories, how people are like us and how people are different than us," said Caudill.
The first panel was held on Monday, March 30 at noon and included Latino and Hispanic students.
Representatives from the faculty senate are currently working on a statement about civil discourse and understanding in the classroom to be included in all syllabi. It will set the tone for an engaging classroom environment that allows for understanding of other people and perspectives.
The faculty is also offering "brown bag" lunches to share ideas about how to lead productive class discussions about race, tolerance and understanding.
Caudill will also be gathering a panel led by students to create a "Community Values" statement. Gathering a panel is a very broad process that began this semester and will continue through the fall 2009 semester. "In order for any change to be successful, we have to educate people and it has to be broad," said Caudill.
Caudill's main concern is to provide a safe and educational environment in which students can thrive both in and out of the classroom.
According to an e-mail response, Caudill asks for, "patience and your ideas and suggestions."
"If you continue to witness things on campus that need to be addressed," she said, "please contact me or another faculty or staff member."GSC President, Martha Nesbit, also issued a statement on the campus-wide notice board.
"It is more important than ever that all members of the community practice not only tolerance, but also respect for everyone," said Nesbit. "I implore that we find a balance between freedom of expression and respect for those who hold different opinions."
Advertising Representative
924176142@gsc.edu
In the past two semesters, issues related to tolerance, civil discourseand discrimination have been increasing on the Gainesville State College campus.
Alicia Caudill, associate vice president for student development and dean of students, is working to spread awareness and build an academic community.
"These were places where I thought we might start to set the foundation for more conversations, more ideas and more programs to happen," said Caudill.
The Center for Teaching, Learning and Leadership will be offering a series of panels for the remainder of this spring and the next academic years. Groups of under-represented students will be asked to serve on these panels to tell their stories. Groups may include African-American, Latino, International, non-traditional, disabled and other types of students.
"We need to know people's stories, how people are like us and how people are different than us," said Caudill.
The first panel was held on Monday, March 30 at noon and included Latino and Hispanic students.
Representatives from the faculty senate are currently working on a statement about civil discourse and understanding in the classroom to be included in all syllabi. It will set the tone for an engaging classroom environment that allows for understanding of other people and perspectives.
The faculty is also offering "brown bag" lunches to share ideas about how to lead productive class discussions about race, tolerance and understanding.
Caudill will also be gathering a panel led by students to create a "Community Values" statement. Gathering a panel is a very broad process that began this semester and will continue through the fall 2009 semester. "In order for any change to be successful, we have to educate people and it has to be broad," said Caudill.
Caudill's main concern is to provide a safe and educational environment in which students can thrive both in and out of the classroom.
According to an e-mail response, Caudill asks for, "patience and your ideas and suggestions."
"If you continue to witness things on campus that need to be addressed," she said, "please contact me or another faculty or staff member."GSC President, Martha Nesbit, also issued a statement on the campus-wide notice board.
"It is more important than ever that all members of the community practice not only tolerance, but also respect for everyone," said Nesbit. "I implore that we find a balance between freedom of expression and respect for those who hold different opinions."
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