After several months of debate, Bowdoin Student Government (BSG) narrowly passed, 12-10, a resolution proposing the creation of an Academic Bias Incident Group, which would respond to allegations of academic bias on campus.
The statement, called the "Declarative Statement Endorsing the Principles of Academic Freedom," was originally a section of the Academic Bill of Rights proposed by Alex Linhart '06. Although the larger bill failed in BSG with only Linhart's vote in favor, many members felt it was important to create an outlet for students who believe they have been discriminated against in the classroom.
Ninety-eight Bowdoin students said that they have felt discriminated against in an academic setting because of their political, religious, or sexual beliefs, according to an unscientific, self-selecting survey of 649 Bowdoin students distributed by BSG.
"I am incredibly happy that we have voted to endorse the [statement]," Linhart said. "Finally students who feel that they have been discriminated against have a mechanism that they can turn to to seek relief."
The proposed group would be created by the college administration and be chaired by the dean of academic affairs. It would be made up of at least two students.
At press time, it was unclear whether the administration would support the proposal.
Vice President of BSG Affairs Dustin Brooks '08 noted, "The test will be for the BSG Affairs Committee to develop a model with the dean of academic affairs office that is effective and not inflammatory."
Not all members of BSG endorsed the statement. Some argued that the College already has safeguards against academic bias and avenues for reporting it, while others felt that the wording of the statement was too vague.
"The creation of such a group skirts around the issue of academic freedom at Bowdoin," Vice President of Academic Affairs Shrinidi Mani '06 said.
"Academic freedom of students should be protected; however, creating a group with such a title can be inherently dangerous and detrimental to our learning environment here at Bowdoin if its purpose is not clearly and concisely stated," she added.
BSG writes in the statement, "We... believe it to be essential that a plurality of viewpoints are exposed, and welcomed, on campus. Freedom to express one's own views without fear of discrimination, recrimination, or other types of bias is one of the pillars of an Academic institution."
To Endorse the Creation of an Academic Bill of Rights
(1-19-4)
For:
Alex Linhart '06
Against:
Joseph Brazzi '06
Dustin Brooks '08
Kendall Brown '06
Catrina Cartagena '07
Melinda Chism '06
Eric Davis '07
Sam Dinning '09
William Donahoe '08
Molly Dorkey '06
Elizabeth Gillespie '09
Emily Goodridge '08
Kristen Gunther '09
Ben LeHay '08
Michael LoBiondo '06
Ted Lyons '06
Shrinidi Mani '06
Mike McCllelan '08
Sophia Seifert '09
Nate Tavel '08
Abstain:
Jacqueline Abrams '08
Allison Chin '07
Carolyn Chu '07
Andrew Edwards '09
To Endorse the Creation of an Academic Bias Incident Group
(12-10-2)
For:
Jacqueline Abrams '08
Joseph Brazzi '06
Dustin Brooks '08
Allison Chin '07
Mindy Chism '06
Eric Davis '07
Sam Dinning '09
William Donahoe '08
Andrew Edwards '09
Kristen Gunther '09
Alex Linhart '06
Mike McClellan '08
Against:
Kendall Brown '06
Catrina Cartagena '07
Molly Dorkey '06
Elizabeth Gillespie '09
Ben LeHay '08
Michael LoBiondo '06
Ted Lyons '06
Shrinidi Mani '06
Sophia Seifert '09
Nate Tavel '08
Abstain:
Carolyn Chu '07
Emily Goodridge '08