VSA forms task force on student publications

Hayley Tsukayama Staff Writer

On Nov. 6, the Vassar Students Association (VSA) created a new task force to look into creating guidelines for student publications. The group—officially named the Task Force to Review and Revise Student Policies and Procedures Regarding Student Publications and the Discipline of VSA Organizations—is headed by VSA Vice President Kelsey Woods ’06. A task force, unlike a committee, can be created at any time for any purpose, and is not permanent.

“Rules about committees are in the by-laws [of the VSA Constitution]…there are strict rules on who’s in a committee,” explained Woods.

Woods asked various people in the Vassar community to sit on the task force, particularly those interested in journalistic integrity.

While the task force was created in response to the recent events involving The Imperialist, the group mainly exists to re-examine procedures that the VSA Council found lacking while trying to deal with the anger and frustration on campus.

The Council was particularly concerned that many saw the “Race and Freedom” article as “hate speech funded by the VSA,” said Woods.

“We want to prevent it from happening again…but this is not specific to the MICA issue,” she said. “We’re trying to move beyond that.”

For this reason, many of the “key people” in this fall’s controversy were not asked to sit on the task force itself, although Woods said that everyone’s input is welcome.

Dean of the College JJ Jackson was pleased to hear about the creation of the new task force. “It’s important to care about what happens in the community,” said Jackson. “How do we respond when violated? People here come from so many backgrounds, it’s important to come to the table and bring our experiences…I hope we find common ground.”
Jackson added that she hopes this task force is a step toward a healthier Vassar community for people on campus.

“It is important that we engage,” said Jackson. “Letters and protests are not enough. We need to sit down and find a way.”

The task force is still in its earliest stages, but is focused mainly on creating a framework of policies that will allow the VSA to better handle any future problems that the community may face regarding the content of student publications.

“There will be no limitations on what can and cannot be published,” said Woods. “We’re not coming up with a list of acceptable and non-acceptable behaviors.” Woods emphasized that the task force is not defining a “speech code.”

The group is working towards articulating a solution that they think will be acceptable for the College.
Woods reported that the task force will begin by researching the policies at peer institutions in hopes of finding policies that fit the Vassar community.

In terms of how long the task force is slated to last, Woods said, “The task force will exist as long as it needs to. We won’t rush.” She added that members of the task force will be encouraged to think about possible consequences to any policies set forth. When the task force feels it has completed its job, suggestions will go from the task force through the Constitutional Committee, and then to the VSA Council.

“We’d like to hear from as many people as possible,” said Woods.“

We’d love to hear student input. This [task force] is not secretive.”

Jackson agreed that input from many different people is important to resolving the issues left in the wake of The Imperialist controversy.

“The onus of this task should not rest on the shoulders of any one group…there is no perfect solution,” said Jackson.

“Work happens when you engage me and when I engage you. It takes courage, and a willingness to be vulnerable,” added Jackson. “None of us is perfect, but it is our community and we must respect each other…We must say ‘I am here, see me, and let’s talk.’”