With changes in smoking, party and cafeteria polices, students across campus are confused about what is permitted on campus. New Town Hall Meetings should help combat the confusion and answer questions for the Guilford community.
Guilford’s first monthly Town Hall Meeting, intended for everyone involved with the college, took place from 7 to 8 p.m. on Sept. 6 in Boren lounge. Liz Nemitz, senior and chairperson of the student and community concerns committee, facilitated. Twenty-eight people gathered for the moment of silence that began the meeting. Others came in later.
“I really hope people can be comfortable and talk. Facts on campus are confused and here people can be real about things,” said Nemitz.
Designed to sustain both comfort and communication throughout the meeting, the Town Hall Meeting mission statement reads, “The purpose of Guilford’s monthly Town Hall Meetings is to provide a space for issues to be discussed honestly and openly. We aim to have all members who would be affected by decisions at Guilford present at the meetings (including students, faculty, staff and others) to allow everyone to gather a complete understanding of the topic being discussed. The Town Hall Meetings will strive to become one of the most critical tools for the purpose for open communication among all parties at Guilford.”
“The mission statement is up for modification,” said Nemitz. “This is an open, semi-formal place where people can ask questions.”
The new smoking policy took precedence. “After hearing numerous complaints from faculty and visitors, the new smoking policy was announced last April 23 in the Guilford Beacon,” said Randy Doss, Vice President for Enrollment and Campus Life.
Numerous students expressed concerns about the enforcement of this new. “I foresee many people getting really upset when this policy is enforced,” said Nemitz.
Cara Craig, a junior at the meeting, asked, “What will happen when the number of write-ups across campus increases?”
Reginald Hayes, Director of Public Safety, responded to these questions by commenting on the way the policy needs to be enforced. “There is a lack of communication of what these policies are,” said Hayes. “There is a courteous way on informing people of the new policy and we do not want to offend people.”
The punishment for violating this policy will “be similar to residential hall violations,” said Anne Lundquist, Dean for Campus Life.
Some students questioned if there will be anywhere people can smoke on campus. “There is no master plan for making the campus smoke free,” said Kent Chabotar, College President.
Adrienne Israel, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Academic Dean, was in favor of the new smoking policy. “It is sick to walk through smokers in front of buildings,” said Israel. After Israel commented, many students at the meeting whispered to one another expressing sympathy for non-smokers on campus.
After Nemitz led the 45- minute conversation on the smoking policy, she concluded that “we need to talk to senate for clarification on policies.”
Next, the meeting participants discussed the new party policies, and the fact that students can no longer get party permits. “We are hampered and hindered by our space,” said Lundquist when questioned about the policy. “There are ideas for a clubhouse students can use.”
Lundquist gave no other information on the clubhouse.
There was no time to discuss the other policies, but “most of these issues are discussed at Senate meetings on Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m.,” said Abdul- Karim, Senate president.
Senate meetings are open to the public.
Junior Liz Welton said, “(Town Hall Meetings) have a lot of potential for different perspectives to involve themselves in active discussions about the policies on campus. It is a very neutral place to talk about issues. After the meeting I found it easier to understand faculty and security perspectives and once we can do that we can end a lot of tension.”
Nemitz hopes for more people and a wider demographic at future Town Hall Meetings, including Continuing Community Education and Early College students. “Next time bring a friend,” said Nemitz.
Nemitz feels optimistic about the meetings. “We are really listening to each other here. Everyone is on the same level,” Nemitz said.