Wesleyan must hire a
mediator
By David Wiener
After attending a very disappointing community forum yesterday, one issue has
emerged that is more urgent than all others: Wesleyan MUST hire an outside
mediator to facilitate dialogue on this campus. What has been shown beyond doubt
is that the students and the administration at Wesleyan are utterly incapable of
responsibly facilitating and engaging in constructive dialogue.
The students have failed just as miserably as the administration has at this
task. I propose two solutions: first, the Wesleyan administration should provide
the funds to hire an outside mediator (or organization) that will responsibly
and respectfully facilitate discussions and negotiations on campus. Second,
President Bennet and all of his senior staff should provide a time when a
committee of students can meet on a regular (bi-monthly) basis to touch-base,
providing a direct and regular line of communication between senior
administrators and students. I demand that the administration show its support
for open dialogue by providing funds for a third-party to get involved in
leading discussions on campus, as well as by providing a regular meeting time
with all senior administrators.
I also urge the students to take the lead in creating a committee that will meet
with the senior administrators regularly. Yesterday’s meeting was a disaster,
and I hold the administration and the students equally accountable, but this
can, and must, be fixed immediately.
Wiener is a member of the Class of 2006.
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