This week, the Bowdoin Student Government (BSG) invited Assistant Dean of Student Affairs for Inclusion and Diversity and Director of the Rachel Lord Center of Religious and Spiritual Life Eduardo Pazos to speak at its weekly Wednesday evening meeting.

After the recent announcement of Ladd House’s transition from a residential building to a center for diversity and inclusion, Pazos was asked to address the council and hear student concerns. He reiterated the impending changes to Ladd House, as well as the transition of 30 College to counseling services and 24 College to the new Center for Residential Life.

Though students have continued to voice their concerns about these changes, Pazos, on behalf of the team who decided on this transition, expressed his belief that this change would ultimately benefit the student body.

“We think that what we gain [from this change] hopefully feels like a big plus for students who want to be in these programs and have access to THRIVE, Inclusion and Diversity all in the same area,” Pazos said.

Members of the BSG also brought up concerns regarding student involvement in the decision making process. Currently, two students sit on the committee, alongside other staff members, that works with designers, architects and planners to renovate the space that will become the new center for diversity and inclusion. BSG members questioned the transparency of the decision making process and whether or not Pazos and his team were doing enough to gather more student input.

“I think right now some people feel like all of [these changes] are happening without their input,” Class of 2024 President Sophia Pantzer said. “So having a more open way for people to give their input so that people could feel like their voices are heard.”

Pazos expressed that his team is more than open to hearing student concerns, input and suggestions. Both Pazos and Director of Residential and Student Life and the Associate Dean of Student Affairs Mike Ranen welcome students to email them any of their thoughts or questions regarding these changes.