Photo courtesy of Unsplash.
“I’ve noticed that the students here are always complaining, and for mostly good reasons. We spend a great deal of time whining amongst ourselves, but never unite in our shared frustrations to get things done,” remarks an upperclassman who has asked to remain anonymous, “what we need is group action.” For a small liberal arts school that prides itself on community, the Connecticut College student body appears to lack a crucial sense of togetherness. “I watch as my peers from other institutions collectively swarm their school’s SGA forums or riot peacefully to prompt administrative change,” they continue, “that kind of effort is seldom at Conn, but I’m feeling a bit more hopeful.” The junior credits the emergence of Conn’s newly established mutual aid fund: a student-led initiative serving as a prominent example that we can, in fact, unite to support one another.
CC Mutual Aid was launched in light of the college’s sudden shift to Alert-Level Orange; a shift bringing about a tempestuous climate on campus. Students overwhelmed the internet to express their utter disapproval or dutiful support of the college’s decision. From a nearby location, students who had tested positive for Covid-19 similarly used social media to protest the “jail-like” conditions of off-campus isolation. The complaints were manifold, but this time, students were listening. Within days of the polarized uproar, an Alert-Level Orange supply form was circulating amongst the Conn community. The form, designed to provide students residing both on and off campus with necessities during cautionary quarantine, attracted over 60 submissions, an evident sign that help was in demand. Meetings were held and basic needs were delivered, but the initiative saw room for growth, blossoming thereafter into a fully functioning general mutual aid fund.
In an inaugural statement posted on their growing social media account, @connmutualaid defines themselves as a group who, recognizing the difficulties of student life, strive to provide support in any way possible, prioritizing need-based individuals and marginalized groups. Mutual aid efforts have sprouted across the country at small liberal arts colleges, public universities, and Ivy League schools alike; all functioning with the shared goal of redistributing wealth amongst the student body. In my conversation with the CC Mutual Aid organizers, who prefer to remain anonymous at this time, they were thrilled to announce an inaugural record of $500 raised in three days. A weekly sum total is set to be posted Friday, Oct. 1 on their social media to allow transparency between students and the organization. Funds have already begun to reach individuals who have requested financial assistance for necessities such as transportation and groceries. The organizers have stressed the importance of donations, as they are desperately needed to allow for a functioning fund. CC Mutual Aid’s initiative is a sure opportunity for the students of Connecticut College to build the togetherness they lack, lest we forget One Camel, All Camels.
Donate to the Connecticut College Mutual Aid Fund’s official Venmo: CC-MutualAid.
Follow @connmutualaid on Instagram to keep up with the latest.
