Letter to Chancellor Gee
Letter Accompanying Student Life Center Petition
Issue date: 11/30/05 Section: editor's picks
- Page 1 of 2 next >
October 21, 2005
211 Kirkland Hall
Nashville, TN 37235
Dear Chancellor E. Gordon Gee, Vice-Chancellor David Williams and Vanderbilt Board of Trust:
Today we submit the signatures of 713 undergraduate students in support for changing the name of the Student Life Center (SLC) building. This petition is more than a statement of student opinion to the administration of Vanderbilt. We, as students, have shown that we truly care about the society in which we live.
Our concerns are twofold. First, we believe that there was a breakdown of communication between the student body and administration about the purpose of the Student Life Center. Secondly, through this petition, the student body has voiced concern about the lack of study space, social "hanging out" areas, student organization offices, 24 hour access, dining facilities, and offices for the Division of Student Life within the SLC. The current Student Life Center is not what Vanderbilt students conceptualize as a 'student life' center. Through research, it has been found that the Student Life Center was never intended to fulfill these assumed functions. This is why we, as students, are advocating changing the name and not the purpose of the building. The Student Life Center is a wonderful building, but it is not a "Student Life" Center. When comparing building with similar names to other universities, the Student Life Center is a misnomer. Student, faculty, parents, donors, and campus visitors are given an inaccurate representation of the purpose of the building.
What should the building be called, if the name of the building is a misleading misnomer? We, Michael Ward and Robert Proudfoot, suggest renaming the building the James Lawson Center. By naming the current building the James Lawson Center, the university can make a bold statement about its future by honoring one former member of the Vanderbilt community who has fought for positive change in the world. Rev. Lawson is a great man of moral character; by recognizing him in this manner we can encourage members of the Vanderbilt community to address injustices in our world today.
211 Kirkland Hall
Nashville, TN 37235
Dear Chancellor E. Gordon Gee, Vice-Chancellor David Williams and Vanderbilt Board of Trust:
Today we submit the signatures of 713 undergraduate students in support for changing the name of the Student Life Center (SLC) building. This petition is more than a statement of student opinion to the administration of Vanderbilt. We, as students, have shown that we truly care about the society in which we live.
Our concerns are twofold. First, we believe that there was a breakdown of communication between the student body and administration about the purpose of the Student Life Center. Secondly, through this petition, the student body has voiced concern about the lack of study space, social "hanging out" areas, student organization offices, 24 hour access, dining facilities, and offices for the Division of Student Life within the SLC. The current Student Life Center is not what Vanderbilt students conceptualize as a 'student life' center. Through research, it has been found that the Student Life Center was never intended to fulfill these assumed functions. This is why we, as students, are advocating changing the name and not the purpose of the building. The Student Life Center is a wonderful building, but it is not a "Student Life" Center. When comparing building with similar names to other universities, the Student Life Center is a misnomer. Student, faculty, parents, donors, and campus visitors are given an inaccurate representation of the purpose of the building.
What should the building be called, if the name of the building is a misleading misnomer? We, Michael Ward and Robert Proudfoot, suggest renaming the building the James Lawson Center. By naming the current building the James Lawson Center, the university can make a bold statement about its future by honoring one former member of the Vanderbilt community who has fought for positive change in the world. Rev. Lawson is a great man of moral character; by recognizing him in this manner we can encourage members of the Vanderbilt community to address injustices in our world today.