Siena College: Inclusive or Not? My Thoughts on the 2016-2017 Siena Student Climate Survey
To say I was merely disappointed by the results of the Siena Student Climate Survey would be a gross understatement. Before taking this course and reading the climate survey results, I used to believe that Siena's community was very inclusive and openminded. This is probably because I believed that Siena's faculty seemed to do a great job in teaching their students about how to be accepting of everyone, no matter their differences. I used to believe that teaching the Franciscan spirit and way of living was enough to make Siena students understand how to accept individuals that do not match traditional male and female ideals. And mostly, I used to believe that most students actually chose to follow the Franciscan way and accept others. However, maybe this was more of a pipe dream than a reality. After reading the results of the climate survey, I can see that much still needs to be done in order for us to actually achieve the inclusive and openminded Siena community that we often pride ourselves in having. Here are just a couple things we can do:
The first thing that we can do in order to become more inclusive of all people in our community, no matter their gender identity, is to educate our students. I believe that this is very easy to say that we can and will do, but far more important to actually do it. I mean, in all honesty, before taking this class, I truly did not understand that it meant to be genderqueer, or non-binary, or intersex, etc. I believe that this is very true of many other students at Siena. Therefore, it is very clear to me that education is the first step in progress. I mean isn't that why we pursued higher education and are in college: to be educated? I believe that it is very easy for many students to hide behind their traditional or religious beliefs, but that should not be the case. And if those students were to come out from behind some of their beliefs, I truly know that they would find that being accepting of others does not mean that they have to change their beliefs. For example, when I first read the 2015 U.S. Transgender Survey, I understood why 19% of respondents chose to leave their religious communities due to rejection. However, I found it very interesting and almost refreshing that 42% of those who left later found a welcoming spiritual or religious community. Therefore, my takeaway was that being part of a religious community does not automatically constitute to being part of a non-accepting community. In fact, it can often be the opposite and I believe that is what we need to educate our community on.
The next step to take would be to actually implement some changes into our community. This could definitely be done through a variety of different methods, but I personally believe that the first step should be to give more power to the Damietta Cross-Cultural Center. Many students believe that the Damietta Cross-Cultural Center only works with issues dealing with racial injustices; however, this is actually untrue. The Center was enstated at Siena to properly teach students how to combat any issues involving social injustice. Therefore, I truly believe that it would be most beneficial to our Siena community to give the Damietta Cross-Cultural Center more power in order for all students become effective agents of social justice.
While it may take some time for all of our students to accept the changes at the beginning, I believe that we need to be hopeful and still take first steps in becoming a more inclusive community. True inclusion is reached when each person is treated as part of the community AND is allowed and encouraged to maintain their uniqueness. I am not saying that change will be easy, nor am I saying that it will be impossible. However, I am saying that the earlier we begin to educate and implement change, the sooner we will create the ideal, inclusive, and openminded Siena community.
Hi Natalie!
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with what you said. Reading that 100% of transgender students who go to Siena dealt with some form of bias/discrimination/harassment was not an easy fact to absorb. It pains me to know that there are students we got to school with struggling with some kind of hate due to their gender identity. I think it is so important that not only do we preach these Franciscan ideals of kindness and inclusion, but that we actually practice is as well.
I also feel educating students is an important first step in the right direction. That was something I wrote about as well. I do wonder though, because I am uncertain myself but perhaps you would have an idea, as to how we could accomplish this. Would it be taught in a mandatory class? Gather the whole school for a mandatory training? I think it is so important that all students be educated on transgender issues and gender identity, I just wonder how it could happen. I would not want transgender students/faculty to feel singled out and uncomfortable as well, because that could unfortunately lead them to dealing with more harassment/hate. I think finding a way to go about educating others is important and making it a safe and comfortable space for all.
I agree with you that creating an inclusive community is so important. College is often a place known where people really figure out who they are and are given the opportunity to grow and change. It should be a safe space where all feel comfortable to do so. Not a place where people will feel judged or harassed because they want to live their life in the way they choose to do so.
Hi Natalie,
ReplyDeleteCould you say a bit more about what you mean by giving the Damietta Center more power? What sort of power do you have in mind? Power to do what? How could that power be given and who could give it?
Hey Natalie,
ReplyDeleteHearing about the survey I had a similar reaction, Kinda made my blood boil a bit. Do ya have any ideas as to giving the damietta center more control, I'll be honest I didn't know they handled LGBTQ stuff as well as race related events.