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HC Strike Organizers and Admin Conversation November 10, 2020
Video recording of a meeting on Zoom between Haverford College administrators and student strike organizers on November 10, 2020 with a transcript of the Zoom chat generated during the meeting. At the outset of the meeting, strike organizers note that the intention for the meeting is to get resolutions for remaining questions related to strike demands with the goal of ending the strike. Much of the Zoom chat pertains to potential legal actions against strike organizers by parents of other Haverford students. This video and transcript were saved on the public student Strike Google Drive. A link to the video recording was included in the daily strike update for November 10, 2020.
2020-11-10
159 minutes ; 8 pages
born digital
16:05:52
From Terrance Wiley : Hello everybody
16:11:38
From aliana ho (she/her) : https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XrbqdLAWy2gLJZQKJC6c-7K1grtwesARgolZTK92B4/edit?usp=sharing
16:16:23
From Terrance Wiley To aliana ho (she/her)(privately) : Student committee member
and veto power
16:20:57
by admin?
From John R. Coleman (they/them) : Perhaps the students can also veto appointments
16:22:43
From John R. Coleman (they/them) : Possible structure: students have 50%
representation the committee and veto power
16:23:55
From Marian E. Koshland they/them : In agreement with John Coleman
16:24:49
From Howard Lutnick : yeah, that’s a great suggestion! that makes perfect sense.
16:26:08
From John R. Coleman : Will students be compensated for this labor?
16:33:01
From Gilbert White (they/them) : We have met with both CSSP and FAPC several times
16:35:20
From Archibald MacIntosh they/them : And generally, it would help if the CSSP, FAPC,
and EPC were all in regular conversation with each other
16:39:29
From John R. Coleman : Where can we find these protocols and processes?
16:40:11
From Gilbert White (they/them) : Would these policies go through Title IX?
16:41:12
From Joyce Bylander : Title IX covers gender discrimination and sexual misconduct.
16:42:44
From Howard Lutnick : How do you recommend students get in conversation with you,
Mitch? Is that active outreach you will commit on your part or is this just an invitation for students to
email you and have one on one meetings?
16:44:10
From Howard Lutnick : applies to point on campus safety as well… “welcoming student
input” is a gray area to me
16:44:18
From Howard Lutnick : thank you
16:47:07
From Gilbert White (they/them) : I think both are appropriate
16:47:52
From blacl squirrel 2 : when would you be able to have a timeline for these structures
to have them available to students?
16:56:52
From Isaac Sharpless : And verbal action
16:57:03
From Hortense Spillers : If a Haverford parent sues these students, what can the college
do to help? Can they offer free legal counsel?
16:57:39
From Archibald MacIntosh they/them : ^^^
16:57:40
From Qrescent Mali Mason : ^
16:57:41
From Howard Lutnick : statements meant to diffuse such actions… speaking of we asked
admin to releasee a statement re: bullying accusations to avoid this very thing and i don’t believe you all
every responded… we don’t have to talk about this but just to put that out there
16:57:53
lawyers
From Gus Stadler (he/him) : Aren’t the organizers asking for protection by the college
16:57:56
From Gus Stadler (he/him) : ?
16:58:33
From John R. Coleman (they/them) : ^^ if possible
16:59:35
From Pliny Early Chase (they/them) : ^^^^^
16:59:47
From Archibald MacIntosh they/them : ^^
17:01:33
From Lindsay Reckson (she/her) : The college offers free legal counsel to students in
specific contexts (e.g., immigration). On occasion the college also connects students to alums in legal
professions willing to work pro bono. Can that kind of support be extended here?
17:01:44
From kim benston : ^^
17:01:45
From Archibald MacIntosh they/them : ^^^^^^
17:01:48
From Hortense Spillers : ^^^
17:02:10
From Hugh Borton : If the president doesn’t protect the students- even through a
gesture- who will? Ourselves again?
17:02:12
From Isaac Sharpless : I don’t think this is super complicated, we’re asking for a
statement discouraging harassment of strikers, and thanking us?
17:02:30
From Hortense Spillers : Is there any way to fold some language about this into other
statements — like “please do not target strike organizers”
17:03:28
From Isaac Sharpless : ^
17:03:30
From Roberto Castillo (he/him) : Perhaps a statement of full support and protection
could be supplemented later
17:04:07
From founders hall they/them : if you take it seriously then publicize that stance
17:04:13
From Howard Lutnick : can you put that into words and release that to the public… even
that would be helpful haha
17:04:14
From Anna West (she/her) : For clarification: will the president and senior staff issue a
statement of any kind, describing the work achieved through the strike, and might there be a statement
discouraging legal action included in such a statement? This might reduce the feeling of discomfort I
hear regarding issuing a free-standing statement discouraging legal action.
17:04:22
From Pliny Early Chase (they/them) : ^^^^^
17:04:24
From Felix Morley : ^^
17:04:28
From John R. Coleman (they/them) : ^^
17:04:30
From Hortense Spillers : ^^^
17:04:35
From Pliny Early Chase (they/them) : When can we expect that statement to be issued?
17:05:13
From Hortense Spillers : There is one issue with this, though — such a statement might
also suggest to people the idea of legal action.
17:06:04
From Anna West (she/her) : Agree with Hortense: the choice to include it might be
informed by an assessment of the scale of current threat (how much deterrence is achieved vs. how
much might it incite?)
17:06:59
From Isaac Sharpless : The strikers haven’t necessarily felt that.
17:07:04
From John R. Coleman : ^^
17:07:08
From Archibald MacIntosh they/them : ^^
17:07:13
From Joseph R. Gummere(they/them) : ^
17:07:22
From black squirrel 2 : are the parents seeing that?
17:07:36
From John R. Coleman : ^^
17:09:03
From John R. Coleman : We have evidence of parents threatening legal action
17:09:03
From Howard Lutnick : furthermore can I personally ask that any future statements not
include language like “destruction is easy creation is hard?” these tone policing messages don’t help us
and do not carry the “i want to support you” sentiment that keeps getting repeated here
17:09:35
From Anna West (she/her) : ^^^
17:09:51
From Isaac Sharpless : I have threatened by teammates parents, people who have
reported my to the Athletic Director who has done nothing. We simply want you to discourage this
demonization.
17:09:59
From John R. Coleman : ^^
17:10:00
From James P. Magill : Parents have been making these statements and insinuations in
alumni and parent group chats on Facebook, which is where we’re drawing this from.
17:10:06
From Archibald MacIntosh they/them : We will be happy to forward you the evidence
of legal action via email after this meeting
17:10:16
From Hugh Borton : ^
17:10:26
From John R. Coleman : Not feel, we have been threatened
17:14:23
From Gilbert White (they/them) : Yes
17:14:26
From Archibald MacIntosh they/them : Yes!
17:14:29
From Howard Lutnick : that works thank you
17:14:30
From Marian E. Koshland they/them : Yes!
17:16:21
From Gilbert White (they/them) : Thank you!
17:19:28
From John R. Coleman (they/them) : At least four options exist as evidenced by recent
case law: "in comparison to most people in the general population"; "in comparison to the average
person having comparable training, skills, and abilities"; "in comparison to the average unimpaired
student"; and "the disparity between inherent capacity and performance."
17:20:38
From aliana ho (she/her) : No
17:20:50
From Archibald MacIntosh they/them : We have not yet had those conversations but
we will be having them later this week
17:24:07
From Hortense Spillers : But also if FAPC makes an announcement that requiring a
doctor’s note is against the law, then faculty will hear that.
17:24:16
From Hugh Borton : ^^^
17:24:17
From Archibald MacIntosh they/them : ^^^^
17:24:19
From Howard Lutnick : if the provost cannot direct them, would providing a formal
recommendation or suggestion still be appropriate?
17:24:20
From Terrance Wiley : That seems in keeping with the "honor code" anyway
17:27:05
From Terrance Wiley : How has the staffing size been increased to accommodate the
larger student body?
17:27:43
From Archibald MacIntosh they/them : ^^^^^
17:27:48
From kim benston : ^^^
17:29:28
From Hortense Spillers : This requires a revisioning of how we think about this kind of
student participation — but think about a work study kind of consultancy for this kind of work.
17:30:02
From Archibald MacIntosh they/them : Can we hear some of the arguments against
paying students on a hiring committee? Are faculty not paid either? If so, both of these should be
rectified. Shadow labor is still labor and should be compensated…
17:30:12
From Joseph R. Gummere(they/them) : ^
17:36:38
From Anna West (she/her) : There are no (few?) faculty hires going on this year,
therefore Spring 2021 searches for these two positions might offer an opportunity to pilot a payment
scheme without doing so at scale.
17:37:03
From Anna West (she/her) : Creating opportunities for learning and ironing out
logistical challenges
17:37:09
From Archibald MacIntosh they/them : ^^^
17:37:16
From Gus Stadler (he/him) : ^^
17:41:41
From Benjamin Le (he/him) : There are some faculty/departments who would also
support this transparency
17:41:50
From Gus Stadler (he/him) : ^^^
17:41:58
From Anna West (she/her) : ^^^^^ plus precedent at Bryn Mawr
17:41:58
From Hortense Spillers : ^^^
17:42:02
From Gus Stadler (he/him) : I believe it is standard practice at some of our peers
17:43:37
From Roberto Castillo (he/him) : As a onetime chair of EPC, I can’t remember any
obstacles to publicizing or being transparent about the proposals presented by faculty. Individual
departments, in addition, may welcome student input in the planning of such proposals.
17:44:17
From Archibald MacIntosh they/them : ^^^^ Yes to all of this
17:45:36
From John R. Coleman : yes
17:45:39
From Gilbert White (they/them) : yes
17:45:41
From John R. Coleman (they/them) : Yes
17:45:41
From Marian E. Koshland they/them : yes
17:50:36
From Pliny Early Chase (they/them) : oop
17:52:55
From Marian E. Koshland they/them : I think there is an issue with continuing the
narrative of "discussions need to continue". The college as a whole knows investing in PIC is wrong, this
became even more evident this summer. Should they not just agree to divestment?
17:53:15
From James P. Magill : ^^
17:53:34
From Pliny Early Chase (they/them) : I thought this was the discussion….?
17:55:09
trivial
From Howard Lutnick : if not now then when.. and just btw transparency shouldn’t be
17:56:12
From James P. Magill : Additionally to Joseph’s point, given our current moment where
national attention is FINALLY being brought in a big way to the atrocity that is the prison industrial
complex, why do you consider this obscure or “too small” to speak about? Is it not critically necessary to
admit how Haverford is complicit in capitalist violence?
17:56:34
From James P. Magill : Or is it easier to keep quiet about.
17:56:44
From Pliny Early Chase (they/them) : ^^^^^^
17:56:53
and do better
From Terrance Wiley : Announce non-complicity as the goal, account for shortcoming,
17:56:57
wrong
From Gilbert White (they/them) : Living up to values would be admitting when we are
17:57:09
From Archibald MacIntosh they/them : ^^^
17:57:12
From Anna West (she/her) : ^^^ Terrance
17:57:27
From Henry Drinker : I also think this is not an instance where we can brush aside
Haverford's investment by saying there's no ethical consumption under capitalism. The funds offered
don't have a passive role in the PIC, they are actively investing in two private prison companies.
17:57:42
From James P. Magill : ^^^
17:57:45
From Hugh Borton : ^^^^
17:59:23
From Terrance Wiley : This is not something to be defensive about.
17:59:31
From John R. Coleman : ^^
17:59:35
From kim benston : ^^^
18:00:35
From Hortense Spillers : Well, also very much in keeping with the institution’s stated
principles to *interrogate* our financial dealings. Which might be another way to go about it — at least
announce and commit to an interrogation of investing principles.
18:00:36
From Archibald MacIntosh they/them : What is respectful and non-violent about
investing in the prison industrial complex?
18:01:21
From James P. Magill : We know that, Jesse. So what’s stopping you from DOING it?
18:01:31
From Henry Drinker : You made a public statement regarding the lack of PIC
investments in the endowment, why shouldn't you be clear about investments in PIC made in other
areas made by the college?
18:01:43
From founders hall they/them : ^^
18:01:44
From Archibald MacIntosh they/them : Comment from Hortense Spillers : Well, also
very much in keeping with the institution’s stated principles to *interrogate* our financial dealings.
Which might be another way to go about it — at least announce and commit to an interrogation of
investing principles.
18:01:47
From Terrance Wiley : They already did
18:02:53
From Terrance Wiley : Exactly
18:03:56
From Hortense Spillers : I think a statement about this can be folded into statements
about moving forward from the strike.
18:04:48
From John R. Coleman (they/them) : ^^ can this be the least the admin can do?
18:06:39
From Gilbert White (they/them) : Can a statement of our shortcomings be made?
18:12:15
From Terrance Wiley : Thank you, Jess
18:12:41
From Gilbert White (they/them) : Talks about the Latinx center started in 2018
18:13:25
From Hortense Spillers : Organizers: again, you’ve done so much. It’s stunning.
18:13:36
From Gus Stadler (he/him) : ^^^
18:13:55
From Helen White (she/her) : ^^^
18:20:05
btw…
From Archibald MacIntosh they/them : ALAS is pronounced like Ah - Loss not Alice
18:20:23
From aliana ho (she/her) : ^^^^
18:20:48
From Wendy Raymond (she, her, hers) : Thank you, Archibald
18:21:29
From Terrance Wiley : And faculty leave policies have to be accounted for
18:21:52
From Pliny Early Chase (they/them) : ^^^^^^^^^
18:22:54
From Gilbert White (they/them) : Is there a soft deadline for planning?
18:24:50
From Qrescent Mali Mason : I have to go to another meeting. Thank you to everyone
for coming together in this way. I want to echo Asali's sentiment that I am amazed at the work of the
organizers and want to thank them for the faith that they have in this institution.
18:25:04
From John R. Coleman (they/them) : Thank you!!
18:25:04
From Archibald MacIntosh they/them : <3 Thank you Prof Mason
18:25:10
From John R. Coleman : Thank you!
18:25:11
From Benjamin Le (he/him) : ^^^
18:25:14
From Archibald MacIntosh they/them : and Prof Solomon
18:25:19
From aliana ho (she/her) : Thank you !!
18:25:23
From Henry Drinker : Thank you!
18:25:28
From Chris Mills : yes, thank you prof. mason. much appreciated.
18:36:35
From Howard Lutnick : also please give Evan Moon access to hc-allstudents… someone
took it away from him
18:36:44
From Howard Lutnick : i dont care who did it but give it back please and thank you
18:36:55
From Joseph R. Gummere(they/them) : ^
18:37:10
From Howard Lutnick : revoked
18:37:57
From Roberto Castillo (he/him) : I just want to say that students have done an amazing
job. They have been creative, courageous, and compassionate. Thank you - Haverford is better because
of your vision and leadership. I hope the rest of us prove worthy of your example.
18:37:59
work.
From Terrance Wiley : Thank you all for the organizers for this important, powerful
18:38:01
From Gus Stadler (he/him) : Thank you organizers—you are making history here
18:38:07
From Jess Lord : Thank you very much
18:38:10
From Archibald MacIntosh they/them : <3 Thank you for those in solidarity !
18:38:12
From Benjamin Le (he/him) : Thank you everyone!
18:38:15
From Hortense Spillers : Thank you!
18:38:17
From Franklyn Cantor (he | him | his) : Thank you!
18:38:17
From Hugh Borton : Thank you PROFESSORS who sat here with us
18:38:18
From Jesse Lytle : Thank you everyone!
18:38:34
From Anna West (she/her) : Thank you to the students for your extraordinary
leadership! We are so grateful for you and your work.
18:38:34
From Linda Strong-Leek : Thank you all for the amazing work you have done to make
Haverford a better place! I am looking forward to getting to know, and working with each of you.
18:38:38
From John R. Coleman : Thank you to all the faculty for the support today and always!
18:38:48
From Terrance Wiley : We are not done though. The strike was not an end and ending it
cannot be the College's goal either.
18:38:49
From Joyce Bylander : BCC and ALAS will get an email tomorrow about setting up a
meeting with me and Mitch ASAP.
18:38:58
From Mike Casel : Thank you all!
18:39:13
From Jess Lord : Thank you Terrance for that comment - I completely agree
18:39:17
From Jesse Lytle : Agree with Terrance. Much to do.
18:39:47
From Benjamin Le (he/him) : Yes, thanks Terrance
18:39:59
From Roberto Castillo (he/him) : Good point, Terrance
18:40:06
From Wendy Raymond (she, her, hers) : Yes, Terrance. Not ever done
18:40:12
From John R. Coleman (they/them) : Thank you Professors !!
18:40:25
From Joseph R. Gummere(they/them) : Thank you Professors !!
18:40:25
From Marian E. Koshland they/them : thank you to our supporters
18:40:36
From Marian E. Koshland they/them : and to our haters...buh bye
HC Strike Organizers and Admin Conversation November 10, 2020 chat transcript
HC Strike Organizers and Admin 11.10 Chat transcript