What’s the trick to place a link here? https://docs.google.com/forms/d/15MlXtetmvCkXORukBfGnYwre_2ZhwkpEo9bKqTqotbc/viewform
Apparently docs.google is blocked.
In any case Pres Salovey has responded: http://news.yale.edu/2015/11/17/statement-president-salovey-toward-better-yale
Prediction: Pres. Salovey’s statement will pretty much make everyone unhappy.
First off let me just say that a terrorist is someone who insights fear in others and is violent. So the way these students presented themselves in Yale, I found to be very intimidating and violent. Are their levels of terrorism? Absolutely, just like anything else in this world. As for the use of the word “demands”, that is exactly what those students made! They didn’t make a request. They outright demanded. The difference being that a request is to express a desire for, especially politely; ask for. The Yale students were not polite, unless one considers the use of the “F” word to be polite. Instead they made demands which means that they asked authoritatively or brusquely. And in addition, if their demands were not met then there were to be consequences. That behavior is abysmal.
@OhMom2
"Plenty of people who aren’t terrorists make demands. I demand that the new car I drive be free of defects that could kill my family or cost me thousands, that the food I buy in the store not be full of poison, that the police do their best to protect me and not infringe on my civil rights, that I not be killed by them if I am not endangering them or someone else…we make all kinds of demands, but even more importantly, most of us don’t NEED to make these demands because those needs mostly get met without us having to. This “demands are for terrorists” nonsense is just dumb.
First off let me just say that no one goes into a car dealership and “demands” (again read the definition of the word from above) that the car they drive be free of defects. That is an expectation.
So I’m sorry but demands are for terrorists. Hence we should never negotiate with them. Or in this case their platform to be heard should have been shelved until they could conduct themselves in a proper and polite manner. (No screeching, cursing, etc.)
Yes, that’s why I said this, which you also quoted:
Now, if a car I bought at a dealership turned out to be defective, you bet I’d return with it and demand a refund or a fix. Wouldn’t you? Would you just nicely ask for one and hope the defect didn’t kill your family or cost you a few thousand dollars?
Just correcting the use of the word “demand”. Like I said thats an expectation. So you are correct because once an expectation hasn’t been met then perhaps you can demand a fix, but even then i believe you can draw more bees with honey then with vinegar. And there are platforms in which you can request to have the defect fix. Screeching and cursing at the manager of the dealership is not one of them and will only get you escorted out by security.
Well that’s a big of a step back from what you said: “demands are for terrorists”.
I’m not sure what your point is then? If it is that honey works better than vinegar…in some situations it does. I’m guessing that some of what were presented as demands were presented as requests at some point, but were not responded to in the way that the students wanted.
I’m not sure how my use of demand=screeching and cursing but still that’s a far cry from terrorism and I’m not sure why you were defending that idea in your post to me.
I never said “demands are for terrorist”
Please dont misquote me.
Yes you did, in post #23. “So I’m sorry but demands are for terrorists. Hence we should never negotiate with them.”
Oops I stand corrected. Thank you.
I agree with hzhao in #19. These issues are really important. But the student who shouted at the master participated in his hiring process. If things were that bad she should have realized that she has the channels (as an aid) to have him reviewed. And…as a proponent of a good night’s sleep, I thought the same thing – “midnight? Really?”
I guess college kids don’t need as much sleep. But they don’t think the President does?!
I am impressed and happy with the outline of action detailed by the President. I hope protesters realize how incredibly fortunate they are to be at Yale where the vision of the admin goes beyond theirs – and Yale has the resources and infrastructure to make it happen. I wrote in a separate thread about the contrast w D’s private college, roughly the same size, where the Opportunity Program and Multicultural Affairs have to share resources (and to a lesser extent even with Int’l Students Office.) I doubt 13 staff members and faculty willing to sign a Halloween memorandum are even employed there.
As an undergrad my peers and I took over our college hall to protest South African investments. Several went on a hunger strike “until divestment.” Did we really think it could happen overnight? Just bc we said so?
The president wisely waited. She refused to meet with us en masse but only with a delegation. We had to appoint representatives. Imagine figuring that out? It was a way to save face: fasters broke their fast when the meeting was formally announced. What a huge learning curve! Being invited to work with the administration instead of stagnating in our righteousness. Only a handful were willing to go on to the plodding next steps, of meeting after meeting, making alternate proposals to trustees, seeing the process through, etc., etc. etc (you can tell I was not one of them 
It took a couple of years but they actually did it!
I remember vividly: two office workers showed up. Apparently they had not gotten the news via phone chain the night before. It was payday. When we would not let them in the building, one of them sneered, “You don’t know what it is like to work for a paycheck.” The other thing I remember is an African-American student calling us out, “Why do you care about racism in South Africa when you don’t see it on your own campus?” And so a whole other but related chapter began, making our college more diverse. It set a trajectory which over the years really did make the school more inclusive. Concerns sound similar – resourcing for cultural housing, faculty of color, admittance and financial aid policies to foster diversity, grievance processes, and multicultural workshops as well as requiring an academic class.
News about police brutality and legal acquittals are everywhere. Our income inequality is shocking, and I have read somewhere that according to geography we are more segregated now, not less. These issues will be with us for a while I am sad to say. Thank God Yale’s admin is moving the college along into the future.
Im glad you have decided to join in and make your comments. I agree with you. I like the way you explain things were done when you were in college. Thats my point. Apparently, it wasn’t acceptable to yell and scream profanities and make demands. Instead they made it necessary that the students behave in a civil manner. Then they were willing to engage these students and try to come to an amicable meeting of the minds. Kudos!
We need more administrations to act in the same manner. We shouldn’t be caving to demands without any rhyme or reason. What happened to talking?
This is a straw man. Where do we see caving in to ranting and raving? Sure, the shrieking woman was painful to watch. But besides her, I see nothing wrong with midnight calls to Pres. Salovey.
You know why? Because even though I’ve never been driven to the point of anger-frustration-desperation as some of these people, I certainly afford people the right to have their voices heard – even if it makes people uncomfortable.
I agree that a line exists that shouldn’t be crossed. I think the focus on shrieking woman has overtaken the current struggle at Y at this moment. Her image is hard to slough off, I agree.
I’m happy w/Pres Salovey’s handling of this situation too.
Well that is the problem. When people behave poorly it detracts from the true or deeper issues. If there are indeed bigger issues.
But I would like to know why this young woman felt compelled to act in this manner? Why was she so frustrated? From what I understand she is a young woman of privilege. Prior to attending Yale she went to a private prep school. While in Yale she has secured leadership positions and an internship. Hence, her experience at Yale has been solid. So is she truly being marginalized? I don’t think so. The real problem here is that life isn’t perfect. Yes, she is right about that. Not everything is going to make one feel comfortable nor accommodated. So people need to move past their discomforts and understand that nothing is perfect. If you want change than once again conduct yourself in a proper and mature manner.
I don’t agree with the use of the word “terrorists,” more like “self-important and naive” but then again many here would disagree with that as well and label the students, I dunno, “brilliant” and/or “courageous.” Other than that you bring up salient points.
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Yale is extremely proud of its student activism.
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Of course Yale is proud. I bet Yale is also very proud of how Silliman College students handled their anger when dealing with Master Christakis. Like a mob… And the event gave the world “Shrieking Girl.”
Awesome! I think Next Yale students should sue Yale for any grade less than an A, because these students were forced to spend hours organizing, at great expense to their health and grades, to fight for a University where they feel safe from hurtful Halloween costumes.
Wow. To assume any black woman, even a Yalie hasn’t a reason to be frustrated and angry — even enough to go over the edge – is sad. As if wealth, education and social stock somehow makes her either 1) immune from racism or 2) blind to racism towards others blacks around her.
I’m not excusing her actions – but to assume she and others have somehow LESS reason to protest? Go ask your black friends and see what they would tell you. SMMFH
Well said young man…http://yaledailynews.com/blog/2015/11/20/cohen-reflections-on-the-revolution/
“Awesome! I think Next Yale students should sue Yale for any grade less than an A, because these students were forced to spend hours organizing, at great expense to their health and grades, to fight for a University where they feel safe from hurtful Halloween costumes.”
Yale …for a school that is considered at the top of the top of schools worldwide … many of their students really are a pretty sad bunch of confused spoiled coddled children.
You know, it doesn’t advance your argument to have appeared to pay no attention to what has actually happened over the course of this particular controversy. Personally, I think Yale (and President Salovey in particular) has dealt with the issues in a very smart way.