SGA Roundup
Barnard’s Dean Hinkson addresses concerns about tuition policy
By Rachel Kaplan
Tonight’s SGA council meeting focused on the new enrollment policy. Dean Hinkson stopped by to answer questions and to hear student feedback on the controversial policy changes:
- Hinkson explained that the expectation of the college as outlined in the catalog is that students spend four full years on their undergraduate studies. Students can ask for approval to be considered part-time, and in the recent past, these approvals have been given pretty freely.
- The main critique of the policy was that it is not in keeping with Dean’s promise for community because it would cause students to graduate early. Hinkson commented on receiving messages that the tone of the new policy was seen as “breezy,” and clarified that this was not her intention. As to the opinion that the tone of the policy was felt to be demeaning by students who choose to graduate early Hinkson responded, “By no means did I mean to say anything negative about students graduating early.”
- When asked why the policy was released after final programming Hinkson acknowledged the timing issue and attributed the lateness to delays in research and discussion.
- Hinkson said she was aware of a petition with over 500 signatures started by Thea Briggs, BC ’13.
- The policy does not apply to current seniors.
- A Protest against the new policy will take place on Thursday in front of Lehman.
- Applications to fill the newly vacant VP of Financing position are now open and due October 28th at 5 p.m. Those interested can find the application on the SGA website.
(Update: The SGA website has moved.)
Final thoughts: “To whatever extent that people thought the message was offensive, that is important feedback to me and it deserves an apology.” – Dean Hinkson
A protest? Really? I disagree with the policy, but I disagree even more with the methods of the people leading the fight against the policy. Dean Hinkson is trying to deal with this issue as best as possible, but some of the people opposed to the policy are being excessively rude in the discussions. This protest as well as the ongoing discourse, including equating the policy change to “extortion,” is hyperbolic and counter-productive. Policy changes like this don’t happen overnight and without consideration.
I think the Administration considered the ramifications of a policy change, but they may not have fully realized the extent of the impact and the negative reaction. It doesn’t mean they don’t care, it doesn’t mean they didn’t think about it — it just means they missed some of the larger picture. People need to stop treating the Dean and the rest of the Administration like they are this stubborn, unwilling opponent and start realizing that they are trying to make it work as best they can.
oh hey jessica blank, nice to see you
I didn’t not write the above post but I do think it is important that students continue to provide constructive feedback to the administration in addition to expressing themselves in any other way they feel is appropriate.
excessively rude?
really????????
“In most states of the United States, extortion is more widely defined to include the obtaining of money or property of another by inducing his consent through wrongful use of fear, force, or authority of office.”
-Columbia Dictionary
Barnard does not care about their students…… they just pretend to
I didn’t not write the above post but I do think it is important that students continue to provide constructive feedback to the administration in addition to expressing themselves in any other way they feel is appropriate.
you didn’t not write? and you’re our president? hooo boy, no wonder sga sucks.
To Anonymous:
I have been in constant contact with both Dean Hinkson and the President’s office since I this whole ordeal began. I will say that Dean Hinkson has been exceedingly polite (if dismissive) in her interactions with me, and I with her. Please write to me at tsb2116@barnard.edu if you have any questions or would like the link to the petition.
As to your beliefs on the protest, I think its ridiculous to suggest that peaceable assembly is somehow an extreme reaction. Protests are an integral part of the American system, and can effect change – see Occupy Everywhere.
I also think its interesting that you remark “Policy changes like this don’t happen overnight and without consideration” when in fact, it did last Wednesday. I understand the safety one feels in aligning with the bureaucracy, but it is exactly double-standards like that which make the administration believe that they can ask more money of us instead of addressing the underlying problem (our fundraising department). I’m sure “the Administration considered the ramifications of a policy change” – there is no grounds to the claim they didn’t. I also agree with you that “they may not have fully realized the extent of the impact and the negative reaction” – Thats because many (you, it would seem) are afraid of truly acting in the face of determinative policies put upon us at Barnard, like our ridiculously high base tuition or our mandatory meal plans.
As for your closing line, I have never intended to paint our administration as dumb or unprepared: to the contrary, in fact. I think they thought a lot about what they were doing, and did it despite the fact that the claims now being made against the policy were foreseeable and legitimate. Do I think that the administration is an “stubborn, unwilling opponent”? Yes. They are. I have the emails to prove it.
yes, i think its been clear that occupy wall street is a very constructive protest (all sarcasm by the way)
And as for the “constructive feedback” which everybody keeps bringing up, here’s mine:
1. Grandfather in students who currently attend Barnard.
2. Figure out why we our endowment is significantly smaller than the other Seven Sisters, and why we are chronically. Fix that. Personally, I think its our fundraising department, who called me while I was in Duane Reade last year to ask if I would donate (when I explained that I am still going to Barnard, they asked for my parents phone number… which I did not give them).
I completely agree with you that current students should be grandfathered in to the new policy. I would, however, suggest that you look into the progress that the “fundraising department” has made over the past several years. The fundraising dinner last year raised over 2 million in one night, and that is impressive considering that Barnard eliminated the typical auction setting they set up in previous years – instead of auctioning off vacations and jewelry, they had people bidding on actual scholarships.
I don’t think that it’s fair to impose the policy on current students, given the economic conditions that we are faced with everyday. I would, however, ask you to think about all of the money that Barnard does invest into its students – our housing across the board is better than Columbia housing, and we do have to pay fees to Columbia in order to have access to things like Dodge, Lerner, etc.
Sorry to leave a third comment: here is the link to the petition, if a protest isn’t your thing
http://www.change.org/petitions/bursars-office-redact-the-new-full-time-fee-policy
I am so tired of being treated like a cash cow by this college. My financial aid has been slashed each and every year when I have had no change in income, I pay $600 a year for a meal plan I don’t need, almost $900 for health insurance when I already had it, and thank God I’m graduating this year so that if I needed to go part-time I would still be an option. Can’t wait to leave this place behind me. Barnard, when you wonder why donors’ pockets are too few and too tight, look back on the past 4 year and that should answer your question. Our endowment is smaller because people here don’t feel supported. I thought it was just me but my friends feels the same way and even an alumna know (class of ’63) felt that way. Barnard, you don’t support your students and you continuously have your hands in our pockets. Go ahead and call and ask for money. So far I’ve given all the fees mentioned above during my college career.
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