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Students, Faculty Demand Safe Spaces

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Students, Faculty Demand Safe Spaces UNIVERSITY HIGH SCHOOL • UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO LABORATORY SCHOOLS 1362 EAST 59TH STREET,U-High CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60637 OCTOBER Midway 13, 2016 VOLUME 93, NUMBER 2 Students, faculty demand safe spaces by Clyde Schwab spectfully, honestly and with vigor, editor-in-chief disagree with one and other.” “ Do I consider my A letter about freedom of expres- Ms. Shapiro, who has been classroom a safe space? sion sent to new students at the teaching at U-High since 1978, The short answer is yes. My University of Chicago has sparked described the importance of stu- debate among U-High students dents being able to express po- class is a place where my and faculty as they seek clarity on tentially controversial opinions students may respectfully, how, if at all, the letter affects the in order to work through them. honestly, and with vigor, high school. However, she also noted the im- disagree with one and In August, members of the U. of portance of boundaries in a high C. Class of 2020 received the letter, school setting. other.” sent by Dean of Students John El- “We are a high school, we are — Susan Shapiro, history teacher lison, condemning trigger warn- not a college. Our students go ings, safe spaces and the shutting home every night to mom and down of speakers — staples of the dad,” Ms. Shapiro said. “You live said. “It devolved to personal at- past year’s nationwide campus in an environment with children tacks because they saw me as rep- controversies over freedom of ex- a lot younger than you, who don’t resentative of conservative, white pression. have the same perspective and male institution when in actuality Within weeks, U-High students are uncomfortable with complex all I was doing was asking to un- began discussing the letter and its ideas… We have to be conscious derstand both sides and not come impact on the role of free expres- of how diverse our community is, to a definitive argument.” sion in the classroom and about and the proposition that one view Another senior, Asha Futter- whether the letter applies to the should become a dominant view man, echoed a similar sentiment high school. or the school is promoting a par- of sometimes feeling unsafe given The letter, sent by Dean of Stu- ticular perspective — that, to me, her personal opinions on social is- dents John Ellison, discussed the is not safe.” sues and U-High’s predominantly university’s commitment to aca- While many agree on the need white population. Asha described demic freedom and inquiry and to express opinions in a classroom how defined community norms history of protest, while also em- freely, several U-High students can make students more comfort- phasizing the need for academic said they sometimes faced social able to contribute to classroom rigor. pressure to hold a certain opinion discussions. U-High Principal Stephanie We- or stay silent. “Before big classroom discus- ber declined to comment on the “The problem at Lab is there is sions happen, you could set up letter’s content, though she noted very little room to think through rules or guidelines that would al- that it was meant specifically for social issues out loud in a class- low for free flowing discussion,” the University of Chicago students room,” senior Jacob Mazzarella Asha said. “Sometimes teachers to which it was addressed. said. Jacob recounted a discussion don’t consider identity when fa- Despite the lack of an immedi- in French class last year where cilitating class discussion. You also ate connection to her classroom, he raised questions about the have to consider things greater history teacher Susan Shapiro implications of renaming Princ- than people wanting to express saw the letter as an important eton University’s Woodrow Wilson their feelings or staying true to midway photo by sophie hinerfeld but clumsy statement about the School of Public Policy and Inter- the author. When I feel emotion- DISSECTING SAFE SPACES IN DICE. Sophomore Zoe Dervin importance of free and respectful national Relations given Wilson’s ally unsafe or physically unsafe, I dialogue, even in a school setting. racist views and racially regressive don’t feel comfortable contribut- speaks at the Diversity Initiatives and Collaborative Efforts “Do I consider my classroom policies. ing. When they feel safe enough (DICE) discussion on trigger warnings, safe spaces and the U. of a safe space? The short answer is “The mere state of saying I don’t to agree and disagree with one an- C. letter to its incoming Class of 2020. The discussion allowed yes,” Ms. Shapiro said. “My class is know if I’m entirely on one side other and to think, the most revo- controversial perspectives to be shared about the topics. a place where my students may re- got people upset and angry,” Jacob lutionary ideas will be uncovered.” Spirit Week kicks into gear with PJ day Freshmen elect by Katerina Lopez class officers midway reporter by Samira Glaeser-Khan midway reporter This weekend, the annual Homecom- ing dance will give students a chance to After a week of posters and sweets the get away from the stress of school with the freshmen selected their class officers on theme of “Island Getaway.” The dance is Sat- Oct. 6. Jeremy Ng was elected president. urday from 7:30-10:30 p.m. at the Chicago Nolan Issa was elected Theological Seminary. Tickets are $10 in ad- vice president, and Kepler vance or $15 at the door. Boonstra and Yuyu Kata- Each day this week has had a different hira will be Cultural Union theme for Spirit Week. The week is culmi- representatives. nating in a Spirit Week Homecoming As- Eleven candidates gave sembly on Thursday. speeches in Café Lab dur- Monday was pajama day, Tuesday was ing lunch on Oct. 5 and twin day and Wednesday was island shirt addressed issues such as day. Today, students wore grade colors, and Jeremy Ng social events, homework, tomorrow will be maroon day, when peer and unifying the class. leaders will paint students’ faces in the caf- Many candidates said in eteria at lunch. their speeches that they aimed to unify the “When we pick a theme for a dance, we al- class by building a sense of community. Ac- ways keep students considerations in mind cording to Dean of Students Ana Campos, and a lot of people had been talking about this was an especially prominent topic in some kind of beach/island theme,” Cultural the speeches this year because 55 freshmen, Union Vice President Pascale Boonstra said. including Jeremy, joined the Lab communi- Student Council will host a spirit week ty this year compared to the average 25-30. raffle competition coming up where stu- Another issue candidates addressed in dents can enter to win gift cards. speeches was ventilation in sports facilities Teachers have U-High buttons to hand such as Sunny Gym and the Fitness Center. midway photo by sophie hinerfeld out to students who dress up, and during In his speech, Jeremy asked, “Who isn’t dy- lunch tomorrow the students who win the ONESIES, SWEATPANTS, GETTING COMFY. Senior Shoshana Holt-Auslander ing from the heat during P.E.? I know I am.” most of buttons will win a $50 gift card. wears her cheetah print onesie in math class Oct. 10, the first day of Spirit Week. Many candidates also promised to try and reduce homework load. inside 4 • ARTS 6-7 • ELECTION 2016 11 • SPORTS Cemitas Puebla: A new Maroons are with her: More than a name: Latin Mexican restaurant Nearly 9 in 10 students School hockey teams with food such as tacos, picked Hillary Clinton have players from high cemita sandwiches and in the Midway’s mock schools around the city, quesadillas has opened election. U. of C. scholars including six from Lab. on 57th Street. explain why this election is different. NEWS • THURSDAY, OCT. 13, 2016 2 U-HIGH MIDWAY • UNIVERSITY HIGH SCHOOL, CHICAGO Seniors of color unsure affirmative action will help them by Marissa Martinez “I think it’s really interesting how almost overdue.” man class that consists of entirely editor-in-chief Asian-Americans have become “ I have the grades and Even though he said he feels af- one race, one ethnicity, one way In June, the Supreme Court this model minority in which you capacity. They’re not just firmative action is necessary for of thinking, because they’re look- upheld the rights of universities are so smart that you can only going to accept any black students with a similar racial back- ing for students who would add to use affirmative action when compete against each other,” Jen- ground, Nigel said he struggles to the conversations on campus evaluating college applications. As nifer said. “That obviously is just kid, they’re going to accept with the idea of knowing the sys- from different seniors prepare their applications untrue. There are Asian-Ameri- ones that are qualified.” tem may be helping him behind perspectives.” this month, some have to consider cans that are obviously disadvan- — Nigel Telman, senior the scenes. When Ms. how their race affects their chanc- taged when they’re applying to “I go back and forth between Warehall worked es. college.” being scared that colleges will only as director of Affirmative action refers to the Jennifer said she feels that the “We need more teachers who accept me because I’m African- admissions for system of college admissions poli- issue goes back to colorblind ad- are willing to help out the commu- American, and chastising myself DePaul Univer- cies that offer equal access to edu- missions, which can interfere with nity, more people of color graduat- for thinking that because it’s on me sity’s theater cation for those who have been how the system affects other stu- ing so that they can help out the whether or not they accept me,” conservatory, historically disadvantaged in the dents of color.
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