The Student Newspaper of Lawrence University Since 1884 THE VOL. CXXXIX NO.LAWRENTIAN 3 APPLETON, WISCONSIN OCTOBER 9, 2020 Student demonstration demands administrative shift Caleb Yuan Staff Writer _________________________________ *Name changed to protect identity A student-led demonstration in support of marginalized students was held Oct. 2 in front of Sampson House, follow- ing a hate crime on campus that occurred Sep. 26. Accord- ing to Campus Safety, antiSemitic and racist messages were discovered on the ground in front of Main Hall. Student Rowan Young* and other organizers used the demonstra- tion to demand a more comprehensive response, including a public denouncement of bigotry, from the administration in defense of marginalized students. About 100 people gathered around Sampson House for the actual event, including students and faculty. Campus Safety was present as a precautionary measure. The idea for this event was originally circulated on social media in a post within a Lawrence Facebook group. When organizers asked about student interest in a demonstration via a poll, 46 students indicated they would attend the dem- onstration, 25 students indicated they needed more infor- mation and 19 students said their response was dependent on the content of the polarization panel, which was held on Sep. 29, after this post was made, but they were more likely to attend. Young also asked students in the Facebook group to anonymously fill out a survey about their experiences with discrimination from Lawrence administrators and profes- Students gather outside Sampson House for the “Justice for Marginalized Students” demonstration on Oct. 2. Photo by Sebastian Evans. sors. “It was atrocious,” Young said. Young and other organizers also claim that the adminis- in the works. Barrett expects the new hate speech policy to tration has a historical record of inaction in terms of help- include comprehensive measures of how to approach hate ing marginalized members of the student body, and they speech on campus, a definition of hate speech and a de- Month-long Off-Campus hoped the demonstration would bring attention to this. scription of the consequences for hate speech. “It’s disappointing when the administration has made “This requires a campus discussion, and the students it very clear that their priorities are their image and their would like the policy to be done this month,” Barrett said. Programs fair begins funding more than their students,” junior El Horner, one of “There’s a hard line that we certainly do not tolerate any the student organizers, said. form of hatred on our campus.” Parker Elkins fair will conclude with an Institute for Staff Writer the International Education for Stu- After informing the Committee on Diversity Affairs, the Although Barrett emphasized her efforts to collaborate _________________________________ organizers collaborated with other members of the student with student leaders on issues of equity and inclusion and dents Abroad Info Session and Q&A, On Oct. 8, Lawrence University’s body to establish the agenda and details about the dem- to promote anti-racism at Lawrence, she acknowledged which covers studying in the following Off-Campus Programs office held onstration including time, location and methods of public that this demonstration indicates a disconnect between countries: the Netherlands, New Zea- the first meeting of their virtual fair, speaking. the student body and the administration. Barrett said that, land, Germany, Ireland, Italy, France, which will continue through Oct. 22. During the event, some individuals spoke publicly about prior to the demonstration, she was unaware of the cases of Spain, Austria, Ecuador, Chile and These meetings, held over Zoom due their personal traumas related to the administration. Issues discrimination described by speakers at the demonstration. Japan. to the COVID-19 pandemic, contain such as lack of response, procrastination on housing reso- “You can never communicate enough, and we haven’t Off-Campus Programs also has both program-specific information lutions for queer students, sexual harassment from mem- been communicating as much as we need to,” Barrett said. virtual office hours Monday through and general information for applying bers of student organizations, financial discriminations “But we are already in sustained dialogue with students, Thursday in the event that students to study off-campus. from professors and ableism from the Center for Academic faculty, staff and leaders from the Committee of Diversity are unable to make it to the fair but re- According to Lezlie Weber, the di- Success were among the topics addressed in the speeches. of Affairs and Lawrence University Community Council.” quire more information or advice the rector of Off-Campus Programs, most “I don’t really expect any changes due to the past records Responding to the demonstration, Barrett promised to with the study abroad application. Ap- events are program-specific, but there of the administration,” Young said, “but I certainly hope implement stronger communications between the admin- pointments can also be made through are also sessions on the general ap- something will happen.” istration and student body and to continue to work for all the Off-Campus Programs website. plication process itself as well as on In addition to the students who felt the need to convey students’ equity. She also plans to look into these individual If the promise of important, per- scholarships. Thursday’s kickoff event their message, others attended in order to support the Law- cases; however, considering the fact that these cases were tinent information about studying featured a general overview of Off- rence community as a whole. previously unheard, Barrett stresses the need for a better abroad isn’t enough, the Off-Campus Campus Programs, the application “I came here just to support others and to see what they communication platform for reporting cases and general Programs office is providing another processes and scholarships, as well as have to say,” one professor said. “This event should be a complaints for both student body and the administration. reason to attend: prizes. In past years, a question and answer (Q&A) session continuous process, and I hope it works for the best.” As further efforts from the administration are needed in the office of Off-Campus Programs has and student highlights from previous Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion and Associ- the future, Barrett feels sad that some students have to ex- provided pizza at the fair. That cannot off-campus studies. ate Dean of the Faculty Kimberly Barrett responded to the perience such personal traumas. be done now due to COVID-19 and In addition, there are numerous students’ demands on Oct. 5. “It saddens me when these individuals have to go the virtual nature of the fair this year; upcoming program-specific events. “It is unfortunate that these students have to come to the through these difficulties because it is my job to assure ev- thus, Off-Campus Programs is enter- On Wednesday, Oct. 14, there are point of demonstration,” Barrett said, “but I am happy that eryone is standing on the ground of equity,” Barrett said. “If ing every participant into a giveaway, three presentations: for SEA Semes- they let us know how they are feeling.” there is anything I want to say to the student body, it would of which prizes include a $50 Amazon ter; for the Shanghai, China program According to senior and organizer Isaac Wippich, one of be [that] we are all working towards a mutual goal together gift card. Each session attended means and a meeting for ISA programs — the demands of the protest was for Lawrence to instate an for positive changes with good will and humility.” another entry into the giveaway. that is, Granada, Spain; Rome, Italy; official hate speech policy, which Barrett said is currently “We can’t do pizza, but we can do and Buenos Aires, Argentina. On the prizes,” Weber said. following day, there will be meetings Registration for the Off-Campus for studying in Athens, in Japan and Programs fair, as well as Zoom links in India. The Oct. 20 meetings will for virtual office hours, can be found be about the programs in Jordan, on the office’s website. Morocco and Costa Rica. Finally, the Sports Variety Features A&E Op-Ed This Week In Sports The importance of Quarantine Petty Peeves Finding Caguana History Indigenous Peoples’ Day Consumption PAGE 3 PAGE 4 PAGE 6 PAGE 8 PAGE 10 THIS WEEK 2 NEWS October 9, 2020 THE LAWRENTIAN Campus Safety adjusts Weekly updates on the status of COVID-19 at COVID-19 role due to COVID-19 interacted with Campus Safety Lawrence Hannah Amell ON CAMPUS Staff Writer this term while helping a friend __________________________________ who had sprained her ankle get back to her dorm. After being un- With the unique demands able to get to the Wellness Cen- brought by the COVID-19 pan- ter to see a nurse, she found that demic, Campus Safety at Lawrence Campus Safety “really turned the TESTS TOTAL POSITIVE looks a little different this year. ACTIVE CASES: situation around” by offering to Campus Safety’s job is to keep CONDUCTED: CASES: wrap her friend’s ankle and drive the Lawrence campus a safe place her back to her dorm. for students and staff, but that has Of course, a truly safe campus Total LU tests: Active LU cases: Total LU cases: not always entailed social distanc- is one that is safe for all students. 3,128 4 15 ing and mask-wearing. This year, On Sep. 26, a number of hate Campus Safety’s responsibilities crimes were committed in Apple- have shifted largely to include en- ton, including racist and anti-Se- Total Appleton tests: Active Appleton cases: Total Appleton cases: forcing “The Pledge” — the com- mitic graffiti near Main Hall, left 19,386 591 1,968 mitment that all on-campus stu- many feeling unsafe, according to dents have made to mitigate the Goggins.