Last week, the study body was in uproar over two decisions by the administration. They announced the reorganization of Chum’s Coffeehouse and the closing of the Women’s Resource Center (WRC). Students were appropriately furious at the lack of communication between administrators and students, and felt blindsided by these major decisions. Chum’s employees and the clubs utilizing the WRC—the Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance (FMLA) and Students Talking About Relationships (STAR)—released statements, and students took to social media to voice their concerns. In an editorial from last week, The Brandeis Hoot stated, “The administration’s choice to make such dramatic changes, without any apparent communication with the Student Union, only strengthens the opinion of students that the university represents them in rhetoric only.”
Following the backlash and meetings between student leaders and administrators, Brandeis rolled back the changes and apologized to students, which is a good decision on the administration’s part and much appreciated. In an email to students, Assistant Dean of Students and Director of Student Activities Stephanie Grimes stated that currently the WRC is not closing or moving. She apologized for the “miscommunication” she feels gave students “the incorrect impression that the WRC was expendable.” Grimes took full responsibility for the events and offered “an earnest apology.” Senior Vice President for Students and Enrollment Andrew Flagel also announced that Chum’s employees will remain paid while not working and that most student employees will be rehired once Chum’s resumes normal operations.
Unfortunately, it should not take such intense a backlash to get through to administrators, but the administration should be commended for recognizing that they acted impetuously and inappropriately. They are attempting to improve communication regarding these issues, though the administration has made these promises before without much actually happening. Grimes stated in her email that she will be working with the Student Union to examine how to best use group space. This type of communication is vital, and Grime’s interactions with student leaders should be productive in opening up discussions between students and administrators. The administration’s decision to reverse drastic decisions hopefully signifies a genuine understanding of their mistakes and a genuine recognition that students deserve a voice.
If the situation regarding the WRC and Chum’s have helped the administration to learn, they should not forget these events moving forward when dealing with vital student groups. An improved understanding of the consequences of ignoring student voices should allow the administration to act with foresight in the future. Conversations like those Grimes has promised must continue. The administration’s lack of opacity is a major issue, and although understanding their mistakes is a positive step, they certainly have farther to go. Universities have a duty to their students and the Brandeis administration must comprehend this fact and work to ensure nothing of this sort happens again.
