Richmond Town Hall Meeting
10-15-06
Report by Megan O. Terry, '06

I thought I would share a couple things that stood out the most to me from the Richmond meeting.

1 - Ginger said the idea of selling the riding program and the Maier art are just "rumor!" (and acted like we were even crazy to believe ). She mentioned that it was one of those crazy rumors circulating from the listserve.... so, as I'm sure everyone has been already, only post things that you don't mind BOT or Ginger seeing.

2 - My particular question was about the location of the fields for the new sling of sports (since the Maier art's not being sold, I'm curious if it would be re-housed!). Apparently, we would only need a lacrosse field. She seemed happy to announce that there are plans for where to put it, but didn't give anyone a clue as to where that would be. In fact, when she didnt give much of an answer as to ideas of a location, someone else picked up my question and asked "Yes, but where would the field go?"... still no straight answer.

3 - She announced before fielding any questions that the lawsuit had been brought on by students, but that it was an upsetting topic and would not be under discussion (which was fine, whatever). Although, to everyone's humor, it managed to come up later... by Ginger bringing it up! Apparently she found out about it first through a news reporter, and she went into a mini-story about how she learned of the suit... until someone pointed out that she was elaborating on the subject that we weren't supposed to talk about! It was funny... but clearly the administration is very unhappy about the suit.

4 - It was a much different crowd in Richmond this time.... the evening, middle of the week meeting in August attracted a younger, angrier crowd (so much so that we developed quite a reputation around campus, apparently). This Sunday afternoon meeting, however, had an older crowd that seemed a little more willing to accept that times have changed, move on.

There was more, but it's all the same stuff we've been hearing.

Although, one of my fellow classmates and I did a double-take when Ginger mentioned that the current faculty to student ratio might be "too rich". (in reference to their long-term goal of 1100 students... but apparently not really more faculty)

Personally... lately I have been asking myself if it is worth still being upset about. I think there is a part of me that could be willing to accept the vote.... but then I watch Ginger speak, I read the newspaper articles, and it still just seems too underhanded and ill-treated.

I think the BOT ignored the situation back when they could have fixed it... and I think they rushed into this decision so quickly that they did not think about how the PR would affect alums.