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Student Assembly discusses sanctuary campus petition

By Emily Eisler ’17

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This week, the Student Assembly meeting opened with an update on the Sanctuary Campus Petition. Said petition is requesting the Hamilton Board of Trustees “to support President Wippman in his investigation of the feasibility of the College becoming a sanctuary campus,” as summarized by Gillian Mak ’18. So far the petition has received 1,150 signatures from members of the College community such as faculty, students, staff, members of the administration, alumni and parents. The petition is asking the Board of Trustees to announce their support for such an investigation as well as what it would entail financially. If Hamilton was to become a sanctuary campus, it would mean that students with undocumented immigrant status may be able to receive help from the college to become a citizen or to receive aid from the school regarding legal fees. Hamilton has admitted undocumented students in the past, but this petition hopes to expand support beyond simply admission. 

The Assembly voted in favor of releasing the following statement of support for the petition: “The Central Council of Student Assembly supports the petition calling for the trustees to support President Wippman in his investigation into the feasibility of making Hamilton a Sanctuary Campus. We look forward to gaining more information from him next semester.” They included a link to read and sign the petition in the all-campus email sent out with the meeting’s minutes. 

Afterwards, Professor of History John Eldevik came forward to speak about the Committee on Academic Policy Long-Term Curricular Planning. He was there to recruit student input in the curriculum planning process. The Committee has already been speaking with campus institutions such as the Library and the Career Center to evaluate different faculty and their teaching styles. Going forward, the Committee is trying to figure out the best way to solicit student input. Eldevik asked the Assembly for ideas as how to best gather student opinion. They are specifically interested in the College’s interdisciplinary programs and how to best combine different areas of study. 

A representative from the Campus Planning Committee also attended the meeting to solicit student input for the upcoming Strategic Planning Process. This event happens every 10 years and entails four committees. The Steering Committee will oversee the entire planning process while the other three groups will focus on identifying ways to improve the Hamilton student experience, direct the College’s academic future, and the sustainability of the College’s business model as well as other fundamental issues. The Committee is looking for six students to serve for the entire year of 2017. This opportunity is open to all Hamilton students. 

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