Redefining Community Experience: RCE is a three-day retreat that brings students together to examine the Washington University community through the lenses of leadership and diversity.
NOTE: This blog post is courtesy of Will Fischer and Green Action
Something loud is afoot on our sleepy campus in St. Louis. Washington University students are beginning to re-discover what connects them. Students that have never successfully worked together have just executed the largest direct action on our campus. The target: big coal’s influence on our institution.
At the end of this summer, Washington University appointed two new members to its board of trustees, Gregory Boyce, CEO of Peabody Energy, and Steven F. Leer, CEO of Arch Coal. As you most likely know, they are the one-two of coal mining who together preside over 13 billion tons of proven coal reserves. They are both deeply involved in mountaintop coal mining, destroying communities and ecosystems across Appalachia. For years they have lobbied against positive protective legislation, including the Clean Air and Clean Water acts. Now, they check our chancellor’s every action and shape the future of our institution. This comes in the wake of the formation of the Consortium for Clean Coal Utilization (CCCU) last December. This research group, funded by (guess) Peabody, Arch Coal, and the local utility Ameren, plans to build a 1 megawatt demonstration carbon capture & sequestration plant on our campus. To read about the truth, see here.
And this last Monday, our administration organized “America’s Energy Future,” a symposium to which Steven F. Leer of Arch Coal and Fred Palmer of Peabody Energy, among others, were invited to discuss our energy “future.” It was a five-hour-long symposium culminating in a reception in the new student center (to see a program description, see here). We saw presentations on “Green Coal” where earth movers the size of houses were depicted moseying through fields. There were a couple champions of reality, but the overarching theme was deceit. There was nearly zero representation from renewable energy companies. What is the “future” according to our administration? Well, it looks a lot like our present: coal, oil, and nuclear. This is not OUR Energy Future.
To coincide with the conference, we held a rally, a press conference, an alternate symposium titled “OUR Energy Future,” and executed a silent flash mob and banner-drop to challenge Big Coal on campus!
We had unsuccessfully lobbied to change the name of the Consortium for Clean Coal Utilization and remained silent since the appointing of the trustees. We really couldn’t take it anymore. We saw an opportunity- and they just made it so easy.
A coalition of student groups, including the student-run farm The Burning Kumquat, Students for Endowment Transparency, and Green Action planned a direct action to challenge our university’s failure to recognize the legitimacy of renewable energy. During their plush reception in our student center, over 100 students entered the building and dispersed themselves among the assembled crowd. Along the balconies lining the reception were five two-person banner drop teams. On a signal, four teams dropped their banners over the balcony, baring messages including “Coal Is Never Clean” and “Our Energy Future.” At the same time, the 100 assembled students raised their fists to display yellow wristbands made of global warming crime scene tape and held up yellow signs with the “Beyond Coal” logo. The final banner was dropped over the main staircase bearing the words “Power Beyond Coal” painted among students’ signatures. A student addressed the silent crowd with a megaphone, “We present to you a banner bearing our signatures as a petition on behalf of this and future generations. We will not stand aside while executives from Arch Coal and Peabody paint a dirty energy future for our school and our nation. We believe that America's real energy future uses renewable, socially responsible energy sources," and invited them to our alternate symposium. It was fantastic- ethereal- and it’s all on tape.
Where do we go now? Our Student Union Senate plans to pass a resolution denouncing Washington University’s use of the “clean coal” marketing slogan, supporting Monday’s direct action, and demanding the university change the name of the Consortium for Clean Coal Utilization. We will maintain the alliances we have developed and work on involving more students to feed off of the energy we have created. We will push forward, gaining momentum in our rally against the unjust actions and policies of our administration. This is the beginning- AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO KICK ASH!
Student Union is pushing for extended dining hours in the Village. The Montana administration recently conducted a poll to determine the appropriate way to move forward and Senate unanimously passed a resolution calling for the following:
Keep the Grill open until 2 a.m on Friday and Saturday.
Keep Stir Fry open until 9 p.m. on Sunday-Thursday.
Conduct a pilot program from the beginning of the Spring semester to the beginning of Spring Break to ensure that extending dining hours in the Village is financially self sustaining.
Conduct a survey of North Side residents to get more data about Village dining.
For more information, download the following attachments to see the proposed resolution and survey data.
There is one spot open on Treasury but all applications will be held and considered for future vacancies as well! Applications are due by Nov. 10, 2009, either by e-mail at or in the Speaker of the Treasury's mailbox on the 2nd floor of the SU office in the DUC.
St. Louis, MO—Today, we are announcing that Trevor Mattea will resign from his position as Student Union Vice President of Administration effective in two weeks. Trevor announced his resignation to the Executive Council on Friday, citing a desire to make an “impact at Washington University” using his “time and talents outside of Student Union”.
Trevor has been a tremendous asset to the Montana Administration and Student Union as a whole. Trevor became a Senator during his freshman year and served as chairperson of the Campus Services Committee last year. In these capacities Trevor worked on several campus issues like dining and school spirit.
Unfortunately, the bureaucratic structure of the Vice President of Administration position made it difficult for Trevor to make a noticeable difference in the lives of students. He, thus determined that his time could be more effectively used elsewhere. We fully understand Trevor’s frustrations and are committed to working with him in a different capacity to renew student activism and make Student Union a more effective organization.
We are thankful for the two years of service that Trevor has given to Student Union and wish him well in his future endeavors. We are sad to see him go, but his resignation is another reminder of the need to reform Student Union to be a more active organization that has a genuine ability to make a positive impact on the daily experience of all students.
The Montana Administration intends to nominate a replacement who will assume office upon confirmation by Senate and Treasury no later than November 1st. Individuals who are interested or have suggestions for potential replacements should contact the Montana Administration by email at president@su.wustl.edu .
I applaud the nearly 200 students who peacefully protested the outrageous acts of discrimination that occurred in Chicago during the senior class trip. It is very disheartening to know that six students who have contributed greatly to our community and have earned the respect and admiration of their peers were treated with such disregard. Nevertheless, I am encouraged by the manner in which so many students have rallied together to take collective action. I commend Fernando and the seniors who organized the protest for acting quickly and courageously. I hope that this incident will reignite a larger dialogue about race relations and diversity on campus.
Dr Virgil, thank you for such a wonderful introduction—
Chancellor Wrighton, distinguished guests, members of the Eliot Society:
Thank you for the generous support that you continue to show Washington University students. I am truly humbled to be among you this evening. The Opening Doors to the Future scholarship initiative is an important step in the University’s Plan for Excellence. Even though these times of financial difficulty have impacted us all in some form or another, each of you has recognized the importance of investing in Washington University students. That is truly remarkable, and absolutely commendable. Please give yourselves a round of applause.
Each of you knows that Washington University is most successful when people with different backgrounds and different life experiences come together, where all can fully access the University and prepare for lives of meaning and purpose beyond. Some of you are alumni. Some of you are parents. And some of you are friends that want to see Washington University succeed. Whatever our relation to this institution, we are all connected by our love for and investment in Washington University.
For me, it is a love that began nearly four years ago, when I made my first visit as a high school senior. This visit was not during a special recruitment weekend. Rather, this visit was on a random day in November when the weather was cold, the sky was grey, and rain drizzled throughout the day. Though the weather seemed to be against me, I fell in love with Washington University. It was the people. It was the beauty of the campus that stood out despite the weather. It was the fact that I could envision myself being a member of this community. I’m sure most of you may also recall your first encounter with Washington University. And if so, you can join me in noting that there is something contagious about this place. I wanted so badly to be here. But even standing on campus on that dreary day in November, I knew that I could not be here without scholarship support.
I am a first generation college student that comes from a family of nine children. When my mother graduated from high school, she had no plans to pursue higher education. She received her diploma and immediately went to work as a sales associate in a department store—a job she did not keep for very long.
My father dropped out of high school. When he was twenty years old, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served three tours of duty in Vietnam. When he returned home he had no time to think about higher education or getting his GED. Instead, he went to work as a repairman for the phone company to support his family—a job that he held for nearly forty years until this past June when he finally retired.
I grew up in a very traditional household. My mom was a housewife and my dad was the only source of income. In addition to supporting their own, older children, my parents also raised three of their grandchildren alongside me as I grew up.
My parents did not have the means, resources, or knowledge to plan for my college education. I vividly remember a conversation that I had with my father when I was 15 years old. He placed both of his hands on my shoulders and looked me directly in the eyes. He said, “Son, we want you to go to college, but you will have to earn a scholarship because we cannot afford it.”
“We cannot afford it.”
These words mark the reality of nearly 200,000 students a year who want to go to college, who are smart enough to go to college, who would achieve success beyond their family’s imagination if only they could get to college—but are not able to because of financial circumstances.
I could have been one of those students. That is why I am eternally grateful to people like Sandy Lowentheil, who made it possible for me to receive the Thomas Eliot scholarship. That is why I owe a debt of gratitude to companies like the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Foundation who made it possible for me to be a John B. Ervin scholar.
Scholarship support has meant everything to my family and me. My education has been fully paid for. And because I have such generous scholarship support, I am compelled, but more importantly, I am able to give back to the University as a student. Scholarship support is why I have been able to be so involved on campus. I give so much to Washington University, because Washington University and its friends have given so much to me.
During the past three years, I have been deeply involved with the Student Admissions Committee, the Orientation Executive Board, the Washington University Television station, and Student Union—all involvements which have culminated in my being elected as the student body President this year. I am so fortunate to have the opportunity to serve my peers and to promote a more active and civically engaged student body. Increasing the number of active students is important because they will eventually form an alumni base that will continue to be supportive and seek ways to make this institution better.
While immersing myself in the richness of my undergraduate experience, I have worked with so many great students from so many different backgrounds, many of whom make significant impacts on the University, and many of whom receive scholarship support, like me. I am happy to know that this scholarship initiative will open the door for future students to come and both enjoy and enrich the University as I hope I have.
As I prepare to transition my majors in computer science and philosophy to postgraduate work in public policy and government, I will never forget Washington University or the individuals who made it possible for me to attend. I do not know exactly what my future entails, but I truly hope it puts me in a position to give back to the University as generously as each of you have.
Check out the following videos to see demonstrations of common functions of The Link. If you want to see additional tutorials, please leave comments and let us know.
In accordance with Executive Order 90841 of August 4, 2009, I am posting the agenda to the Executive Council meeting on September 11, 2009. Requests to see portions of the minutes from this meeting should be sent to administration@su.wustl.edu following the protocol specified in the Order.
I. Installation of Morgan DeBaun as Vice President of Public Relations
II. Brief Good News and Good Thought
III. Financial Appeals a. Sophomore Class Council $2100 for Sunday on the Swamp b. Architecture School Council $2000 for Lecture Series
IV. Campus State of the Union Review and Next Steps a. How to maintain partnerships with CS40, NSA, and Greek Community? b. Campus State of the Union in January?
V. The Link a. Publicity
VI. Freshman Class Council Elections a. Debate b. Publicity c. Tabling (South 40 House and Ursas)?
VII. September Focus Group a. Date & Time b. Size c. Topic/Scope d. Preparation and Research
VIII. Restructuring Dining Hours a. Initial Thoughts b. Next Steps
