Committee drafts letter to trustees

Adam Voiland '01

On the eve of the school's Martin Luther King Day celebration, student leaders gathered in the Faculty Lounge to discuss a growing problem: a perceived lack of communication between trustees and students.

The meeting, organized by Ingrid Haeckel '01, president of DEAG, included representatives from an array of organizations. It quickly became clear that a growing frustration with the decision-making process at Deerfield permeates the student leadership and the tone was clear. A number of students, particularly those affiliated with the Environmental Club, felt by the time students hear about a new building project, a policy change, or any other major change-it's a done deal. 'There's no opportunity for discussion:' said Haeckel.

Student Council Chair James Dunning '01 said many proposals, the student center included, were submitted last year only to be dumped "out the window" without even truly being considered. On-campus administrators, the headmaster, and high-ranking deans, he said, tend to skirt around issues giving incomplete, unsatisfying answers.

The Environmental Club, at press time, was unhappy with what they perceive as a slap in the face to their campaign to stop construction of the new dorm on the quad. "We're waiting for a real answer," said Haeckel, referring to the unsubstantial response her club received from Mr. Widmer following its anti-dorm presentation at school meeting.

Representatives of The Scroll said they too had struggled with both an administration and a trustee board that simply doesn't want students to understand the real issues confronting the school.

'They' prefer instead for stories to dribble to the paper after decisions have been made, after the process, whether it is dorm construction or any other controversial policy change, has already been approved.

In response the committee sent a letter to the trustees requesting communications be improved.

"Dear Trustees:

We are writing on behalf of the student body as represented by leaders from Deerfield's clubs, support groups and the Student Council. We have met this past week to discuss concerns regarding the student body's lack of knowledge on Trustee plans and decisions. Over the past few months, there has been a growing resentment and dissatisfaction among students and faculty because we have been unaware of major plans for Deerfield until they have been finalized...Although trustee meeting minutes are currently unavailable to the majority of the community, we feel that having one or two student representatives sit in on committee meetings relevant to student concerns would be an excellent way to inform students and faculty about the issues at stake.

Sincerely,

George Craft, Ingrid Haeckel and Jessica Myers, representing:
Student Council, Deerfield Environmental Action Group, Deerfield Black Student Coalition, Latin American Society, Asian Students Association, Get Rid of Homophobia, International Club, Jewish Student Club, Amnesty International, and The Scroll. "