2008 Woodie Awards
Skeptical Sisson: The dark side of college politics
Douglas Sisson
Issue date: 10/18/07 Section: Opinions
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Middlebury College is headed in an unfortunate direction. President Liebowitz has shifted Middlebury's priorities in the form of a unique administrative diet still in the process of being entirely digested. This shift in our College's administrative food pyramid has included the controversy surrounding the Rehnquist chair, the acquisition of the Monterey Institute of International Studies, the dissipating Commons System, the recent obsession with college rankings, paying junior counselors, going from two CRAs to just one, an attempt to change our school logo, The Middlebury Initiative fundraising campaign and, most recently, diluting the celebratory zeal of Winter Carnival. As President of the College, Ron Liebowitz is keeping himself and staff busy with a handful of successfully completed initiatives. However, I disagree with the direction in which Middlebury's administration is leading the college. And yet, as a student, what power or influence can I have towards taming this wild beast of administrative protocol?
Students can voice their opinions on either the Community Council or Student Government Association (SGA). The Community Council is comprised of students, faculty and staff whose voices are supposed to contribute to how the College functions administratively. Likewise, the SGA is a collection of elected student representatives from each class and commons whose agenda focuses on student-run initiatives and ideas. Having served on both the Community Council and the SGA, the voices of students are heard by the administration but I'm skeptical as to what extent their ideas and opinions are actually processed. Evidence supports that administration listens to the community at large. After all, President Liebowitz does hold regular office hours. Still, holding office hours - something faculty members are already required to do - makes me wonder if President Liebowitz is merely trying to look democratic and compassionate in light of the already strictly adhered-to Master Plan.
Students can voice their opinions on either the Community Council or Student Government Association (SGA). The Community Council is comprised of students, faculty and staff whose voices are supposed to contribute to how the College functions administratively. Likewise, the SGA is a collection of elected student representatives from each class and commons whose agenda focuses on student-run initiatives and ideas. Having served on both the Community Council and the SGA, the voices of students are heard by the administration but I'm skeptical as to what extent their ideas and opinions are actually processed. Evidence supports that administration listens to the community at large. After all, President Liebowitz does hold regular office hours. Still, holding office hours - something faculty members are already required to do - makes me wonder if President Liebowitz is merely trying to look democratic and compassionate in light of the already strictly adhered-to Master Plan.
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