Deans Melinda Aquino and Terry Martinez from the Office of Multicultural Affairs and Community Development stopped by the meeting this week:
Dean Aquino said that this semester has seen an increase in reports of bias incidents, but she believes that this does not reflect an increase in actual incidents. The deans discussed the challenges of “not having an institutionalized way to respond to these incidents,” which makes it easier to view them "as isolated situations.”
The deans addressed the question that always gets asked: Why doesn't the larger community hear about bias incidents as they happen? Notification only happens when those impacted want the situation made public. Before this protocol, “well-intentioned folks” would send out notifications and “unintentionally re-victimize” bias incident targets.
The office is still trying to figure out how exactly the three brownstones on 113th will be used, and they're putting together a committee of students, both involved in Greek life and not, who are to decide who will occupy these spaces.
The building acquired from St. Hilda's convent will be completely gutted, though the marble mantles, staircases, and cherry wood library will help the space retain its "tremendous character." It will be divided into singles and doubles, contain a computer lab, a study space, and each floor will have a lounge area with flat-screens. According to Dean Martinez, the brownstones will go into general selection in Fall 2013, and the convent in 2014.
