As a first-year student, my initial experience of Goucher’s campus felt almost idyllic, with its nature trails, amazing food (at least I think so), and kind, engaging professors. However, it didn’t take long for the pristine little bubble of perfection I had built to burst, leaving me wondering, “What did I get myself into?”
The day of the vigil hosted in solidarity of Palestine I was astonished because I gleaned that some faculty at Goucher were told to work from home. Based on rumors and what I had read from the Quindecim about last year’s protest, informing faculty to avoid campus seemed a bit extreme. If they believed their safety was at risk, why didn’t the entire campus get a notice to stay home? Do the students of this campus endanger the well-being of faculty? Did the safety of the faculty matter more than the safety of the students? By talking to the leaders of the vigil, I got the sense they wanted to spread awareness of the genocide in Palestine and Goucher’s involvement in censorship of students. Nothing in their words made me think they wanted to instill fear or unravel the safety of this campus.
I admire the effort it took for the vigil coordinators to bring it to life. Not only had they attracted a decently sized audience, but they had also filled the time with well-thought-out speeches, poems, and anecdotes. I am sure I don’t stand alone in deciding to attend college because of my ambitions to contribute to a more just society. I believe Goucher should foster the passion and dedication that students already have to bring awareness to pressing issues. Scrolling through Goucher’s websites I stumbled upon the progressive history of Goucher as a women’s college. At its heart, Goucher has always embraced change, and its students embody similar sentiments. For this reason, I am perplexed by the administration’s efforts to thwart activism. If we truly aim to continue Goucher’s forward-thinking legacy, we must support instead of oppressing efforts to address pressing issues of our time.
-Cadita Attipoe, Concerned Student of the Class of 2028