<p>I thought it was interesting that the only students who appeared in the video were the minority students. It says alot, IMO, that it didn’t include the perspectives of others on campus, and may be indicative of the isolation they feel. Even when they did the “I am Bowdoin” chant at the end, only one or two kids who weren’t dressed in black moved forward to join the circle of kids chanting.</p>
<p>I don’t think this is typical only of Bowdoin, either. But, I do think it’s more indicative of the East Coast schools. I am from the East Coast, and both my husband and I attended these LACs, but I really wanted my kids to go out to the midwest, where I sensed much more of a “come as you are” feeling about the student bodies there. I felt that my son, in particular, would have a good education and make friends if he went to one of the New England LACs, but that he would also have to find his “niche.” I just felt that at the midwestern schools, he wouldn’t have to feel that way. I"m thrilled that he came to this conclusion totally on his own, and is now at Grinnell. Not that there aren’t some issues there as well, but the tone and dialogue on campus is always about how to improve diversity and inclusion. The self-governance system supports the sense of community, not in a rah rah team spirit way, but in reminding everyone that as a group of people living and working together, they are responsible to and for each other. Any time an issue arises, there is full-on campus dialogue, with meetings, posters, stories in the paper, etc. The students are really analytical about themselves and the world. The new president is also black and openly gay (married with two kids). </p>
<p>I read an article in the New York Times about misogynist activity at Yale, and a comment from a female student, who said she just closed her windows and ignored it. This is precisely the type of thing that would never occur at Grinnell. The students would speak out. They wouldn’t just shut the noise out…</p>
<p>I guess I turned this into an advertisement for Grinnell… it’s a matter of fit, though. Grinnell wouldn’t be for everyone either, but I have to say, I’m with Plainsman here…His daughter is at Oberlin, and I’ll bet he’d ditto my remarks above…</p>