<p>Mini,</p>
<p>How would you have handled the situation at Williams? And, I do agree with I-dad that, at the very least, her boyfriend should be kept away from the campus.</p>
<p>I don’t know enough to be sure. But I probably would have called an all-campus convocation to convey, directly and in person (alongside the President of the Board of Trustees), the admininistration’s abhorrence of hate speech. (I am less concerned about the disciplinary matters.) I would then have reviewed for all students to be aware Williams’ history of student infatuation with Hitler in the 1930s, and brought the excellent photo display that they have in the possession (I have seen it) back on public view. And then I would have asked faculty to conduct small discussion groups on hate speech/free speech and academic institutions. It was a fantastic “teachable” moment, and from what I have seen from afar (and thus am hampered in responding to your question), I don’t see much teaching.</p>
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<p>I don’t think that’s a problem. In fact, I think it’s helpful. One of the reasons that you want a representative diversity in a college administration is so that all of your constituent student groups feel that they have a voice or a “stake” in the administration of college affairs. This is one of the key lessons learned by colleges as they have gone through the process of diversifying their student bodies over the last four or five decades.</p>
<p>I think that if this had been a poster of the Ku Klux Klan lynching a black person, then maybe the administration would have been more punitive in their response. Whether an administrator is black, Asian, Jewish, Catholic, etc etc etc should not minimize their response to bigotry on a campus.</p>
<p>This young lady may be thought of as “brilliant”, but so have been many bigots. Do we let them harrass others on a campus and cause fear?</p>
<p>In addition, if G-d forbid this were my daughter, she would be pulled out of college for a year and sent to volunteer in a poor area of the US or the world, so that she can appreciate what she has in life. I would not pay for a child to spew hatred. As parents, at times we just have to take action. If she didn’t want to volunteer, then let her live with her horrible neonazi boyfriend, and no financial support.</p>
<p>I truly believe that the inadequate and insensitive way of handling this by the Williams administration will come back to bite them for many years.</p>
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<p>Right. That’s precisely why I would like to see the admissions office avail itself of every opportunity to learn about the “personal qualities”. Is it foolproof? Heck, no. But, it would be interesting, for example, for an admissions interviewer to have asked Mary Jane Hitler about her views on Williams’ commitment to diversity. Along a similar vein, it can be useful for colleges to give a little tip in admissions to students who have demonstrated an acceptance of, or interest in, diversity during their high school years. Admissions decisions among highly qualified applicants like those at Williams are made on small factors. No reason that the college can’t tilt those factors to shape a student body.</p>
<p>Very possible… I’m not sure it’s the responsibility of the faculty to foster discussion about this incident. I would have removed her from the campus, and made a statement that any hate speech of any kind is totally unacceptable.</p>
<p>Collegialmom, I’m afraid that the vast majority of Americans would actually agree with the way that Williams handled this situation. Therefore, I think their actions were intentional, and geared towards attracting as little attention as possible. Unfortunately, we’re not privy to the specifics regarding how Williams is handling the situation. Perhaps we will have more information tomorrow when the record is released?</p>
<p>Yes I-dad… I completely agree. How about that???</p>
<p>Maybe it is time for new leadership in admissions at Williams?</p>
<p>And then how do you define a commitment to diversity? Is that equal opportunity or equal outcomes? There are many on both sides of that equation. Whay exactly is “hate speech” or do you just know it when you see it–like porn? Have some of our major AA leaders been guilty of hate speech as so defined? Should they and their thought be banned from Williams?</p>
<p>Well now the good thing is that whenever an employer or graduate school googles her, they will see that she is a supporter of Hitler, and not remorseful about this incident. As an long-time employer myself, that would be the deal-breaker for me. Who knows how she would work with blacks, Jews, Asians, Catholics, etc etc etc, as well as relate to clients. She may just have to confirm her dreams to the Aryan nation of her dreams. Another advantage of the Internet is that she will never be able to hide!</p>
<p>Embracing diversity means accepting a student body that represents the rich ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds in our country, as well as a student body who are willing to appreciate a campus in which ethnic and socioeconomic diversity are incorporated into all aspects of campus life. </p>
<p>It does not mean accepting right-wing nut jobs to balance out left-wing liberals.</p>
<p>collegialmom:</p>
<p>That is why I’m disappointed that the college was not able to successfully reach out to the girl with a “teaching moment” and help her nip the thing in the bud with a little empathy and an apology. She’s not the first college student to have done something stupid and bigoted. These events usually end on a more positive note for the students involved.</p>
<p>“Collegialmom, I’m afraid that the vast majority of Americans would actually agree with the way that Williams handled this situation. Therefore, I think their actions were intentional, and geared towards attracting as little attention as possible. Unfortunately, we’re not privy to the specifics regarding how Williams is handling the situation. Perhaps we will have more information tomorrow when the record is released?”</p>
<p>America is rapidly becoming a nation of minorities, and will not be so easily tolerating bias or discrimination. Look at the number of EEOC complaints a year, valid or not. </p>
<p>In addition, Williams students and alums are SUPPOSED to be part of the intelligensia, and hopefully they know better than to tolerate hate and bigotry. It is a statement about the college.</p>
<p>Where my sons go to college, this kind of action would be stomped on. Immediately. Which is why they go where they go, and would not even consider looking at Williams. The reputation always precedes a college. And unfortunately, Williams is rubber-stamping its reputation now.</p>
<p>Collegialmom:</p>
<p>In fairness, I am told that the vast, vast majority of students at Williams College (like virtually all) were disgusted by the Hitler posters.</p>
<p>Interestedad, if you have been following what is happening in the Student Government elections now at Swarthmore, and how much scrutiny is being given by the students about funding every single one of the diverse groups now to the hilt, then you know the difference. Swarthmore over the past 40 years had its moments, but there is incredibly open dialogue and sensitivity to all groups. And if there is a perceived problem, real or not, it is discussed and discussed and discussed. With the administration and faculty and students involved and represented. That is only one reason that I am happy that colleges with that kind of tradition exist.</p>
<p>I must admit that I am much less concerned about Julia and her fate than I am about the example set (thus far - it could change) by the administration for the rest of Williams students, some of whom are likely to find themselves in similar positions of authority and responsibility some day. The students were disgusted, of course! but were not well aided by the College in what is appropriate to do with such feelings of disgust, and the resultant moral confusion.</p>
<p>They could have reached out more. But really, the administration did not take the lead in this matter. They should have had focus groups and have attended any possible meeting that was set up to discuss this.</p>
<p>My kids have attended schools their entire lives where they are expected to live with openness, fairness and respect for all. That is what the William administration should have led with.</p>
<p>OK, maybe it is just a college that doesn’t have to have values of respect perpetuated. Perhaps I am expecting too much because of my particular frame of reference.</p>
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This is EXACTLY why a parent like you would never RAISE a hateful kid like this. BRAVO, BRAVO, BRAVO to you! I’m with you 100% on this one.</p>
<p>~berurah</p>
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<p>It kind of already has. There have been other incidents over the last few years, including a faculty member hurling the n-word in anger at a faculty meeting and students using racial and gay epthets that have met with somewhat restrained response viz-a-viz administration led teaching opportunities. It’s not that the college doesn’t respond, it’s that the response seems to be more detached and couched in “officialese” than might be desireable to send a strong message.</p>
<p>Mini’s got it right, IMO. The issue is not the punishment, but the opportunity for teaching students that it may be required to take a firm stand when leadership is faced with this sort of thing.</p>
<p>Interesteddad: Agreed. But does Williams not have these values as part of its mission, or are they just not skilled with leadership per the same?</p>
<p>I do think this may have reverbarations among alums, and that eventually may push the administrators to examine their ways.</p>
<p>Berurah: Thank you, I’ve tried very hard, and we reap what we sow.</p>
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Yes, I have found the same.</p>