tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18808529.post113234112929680289..comments2022-10-25T03:20:30.507-05:00Comments on Shimer College and the Future: email from young kim via janice scarbalisShooBootyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01824125151437862212noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18808529.post-1132348386880730372005-11-18T15:13:00.000-06:002005-11-18T15:13:00.000-06:00Dear Young,I have read your open letter to the com...Dear Young,<BR/><BR/>I have read your open letter to the community. Thank you for opening <BR/>communication with alumni. It is very much appreciated. I have been deeply<BR/><BR/>saddened at being "left out of the conversation" heretofore, and I am <BR/>gladdened at your email.<BR/><BR/>You'll notice that I have indeed taken this personally. You remarked in <BR/>your letter that many of us were, and you have chosen to see an emotional <BR/>response as one that is rash, uninformed, illogical. I dispute this choice <BR/>on several levels. Firstly, am I not a person and a Shimerian with <BR/>feelings? Secondly, should I not throw my whole self into a cause that I <BR/>believe to be right?<BR/><BR/>Young, I have found your letter offensive, judgemental and angry. I can <BR/>tell from your neat prose that you were attempting to be fair and balanced, <BR/>and to a great extent, you were, and, Young, I deeply appreciate that.<BR/><BR/>It seems to me, however, that you are missing the point. You write:<BR/><BR/>"I understand the unfortunate tendency of some people to<BR/>>personalize issues, and to vilify those who disagree with them or who <BR/>>they perceive as doing them a wrong. I can only hope that we are better <BR/>>than that, as we discuss these serious and dramatic issues. We, who <BR/>>have been trained in a discussion methodology and in working with <BR/>>others to analyze, consider and resolve issues, should treat each other <BR/>>with respect in those discussions, understanding that our discussions <BR/>>about this matter are guided by what each of us thinks is in the best <BR/>>interests of the College"<BR/><BR/>And what of the unfortunate tendency of "some" people to de-personalize <BR/>issues? To pretend like they are machines, or managers (which is worse?) <BR/>rather than humans? What of those that address open letters to the <BR/>community, "vilify[ing] those who disagree with them or who they perceive as<BR/><BR/>doing them a wrong?" Have you not vilified a fictional "us" as <BR/>overemotional, disrespectful, and judgemental?<BR/><BR/>And what of the aggressively loud pro-move faction that rants and raves for <BR/>it? Why have you chosen to not address them, but only the loud anti-move <BR/>faction? Ought I not be defended from that attack, as you are attempting to<BR/><BR/>defend yourself?<BR/><BR/>As far as what's actually happening with the proposed move, I appreciate <BR/>your explanation of the timeline, the decisions that will need to be made, <BR/>and what sounded like an invitation to the community to partner with Shimer <BR/>in discussion about this matter. Genuinely, I appreciate this, Young, and <BR/>thank you.<BR/><BR/>I am against the move (as you've surely already guessed) in all cases except<BR/><BR/>desperation. If Shimer were desperate (and by desperate, I mean that the <BR/>school would close unless it did something drastic) I could understand the <BR/>move, certainly. But from the (albeit very limited) information that I've <BR/>been given regarding our circumstances and our reasons for the move, I see <BR/>NO POSITIVE REASON for moving the college. I cannot imagine any benefit <BR/>whatsoever from a relocation, handing over of autonomy, and shift from owned<BR/><BR/>to rented property, that would outweigh the negative results. The promise <BR/>of expanded curriculum seems a negligible benefit. Couldn't we do that from<BR/><BR/>CLC? A cafeteria doesn't seem promising- our students can't afford the meal<BR/><BR/>plan! While I would love to open Shimer classes to IIT students (I'd like <BR/>to open Shimer classes to everyone), I fear that the Shimer classes will be <BR/>essentially affected by the addition of non-Shimerians. One person in a <BR/>classroom who has not made a strong and well-reflected commitment to <BR/>face-to-face dialogue, co-inqury and the life of the mind (as all Shimerians<BR/><BR/>necessarily do when they enroll) can, quite honestly, set the entire class <BR/>off-balance.<BR/><BR/>These are just a few of my thoughts and I promise that although I am taking <BR/>these matters deeply personally, I send them to you with the utmost respect.<BR/><BR/>Regards,<BR/><BR/>Psyche Ready<BR/>2000Psyche Z. Readyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03099676367714640805noreply@blogger.com