Over spring break, I wrote an article for this issue of The College Voice examining professor and student relationships within Connecticut College and how they are unique to our institution. As the first post-spring break week at Conn began, this article was close to complete. With interviews conducted and sources cited, it appeared as though I was perfectly on track for my assigned due date. However, after witnessing and experiencing the startling events of this week, something about my article did not feel quite right. Its humorous tone detailing professor relationships through sources ranging from “rate my professor” ratings to informal meetings no longer felt appropriate to best serve this issue.
It is difficult to deny that there are many fantastic professors on our campus. The fact that we live in a community where professors invite their students over for dinner and frequently introduce themselves on a first name basis are qualities which make our school incredibly special. Upon returning home from college many of my friends were indeed surprised that one of my friends had joined her seminar professor and peers for a home cooked meal. These intimate and meaningful relationships play an essential role for many in the overall Connecticut College experience and help to foster a unique and important sense of community.
However, it is evident through this week’s events that the tides have most certainly changed. As our campus has been turned upside down to engage in critical discussions on racism, equity, freedom of speech and our mission to full participation, I have witnessed many professors support students in a manner that transcends far beyond academic borders. As evidenced through the events of Wednesday’s community forum and over signed department emails condemning racism and dehumanizing speech, the professors’ fierce commitment both to our general community and to the safety of the college’s students has never been more apparent. In the past week alone, I have witnessed many professors advocate for students in a way that has made me feel honored to attend a college with such a dedicated and vibrant faculty.
In a time where many prospective Connecticut College students are receiving their decision letters, some individuals have understandably expressed concern about the current state of our academic institution. Although I can certainly understand and relate to these student perspectives, as I sat in this week’s forum and at Thursday night’s SGA meeting, I also experienced a profound sense of pride to be part of such an exceptional community. In a moment where many students, faculty and staff are struggling to recover from the pain of this week’s incidents and the challenging discussions they have provoked, I have proudly witnessed students and staff come together to find a space to productively heal.
Furthermore, over the course of this week I have been further impressed by the time which professors have allocated within their own classes to engage in crucial conversations about racism, discrimination and community values. As a first-year student currently enrolled in courses from four separate departments, I was incredibly surprised to discover the majority of my professors allotted at least one full class strictly dedicated to processing this week’s events. Interrupting their pre-determined syllabi to address the needs of our community and student body is an act that I sincerely appreciated. Unlike many of my experiences in high school where instructors appeared solely fixated on the courses they were responsible for teaching, it has become strikingly evident that Conn’s professors hold an overarching investment in the success and safety of our greater community.
The past week has exposed me to a side of Connecticut College that was not evident in the enthusiastic guided tours, informational sessions and colorful pamphlets which defined my application experience last year. Wednesday’s forum and the consequential events which followed have revealed to me and many others that our college and community remain in a vulnerable state. However, this week has also illustrated the real reason Connecticut College is the place I chose to be my home. At the end of the day, our professors truly care about creating a community where all individuals feel safe, respected, and above all, genuinely heard. •
