By Madison Pimental
Students in Action (SIA) said they are “not taking our foot off the gas pedal” during the Spring semester.
Student leaders Glendy Alvarez, Tahj Valentine, and Sayvion Jones, leaders of SIA, said they are still working to enact social change on Stonehill’s campus following the sit-in in the Fall.
Last semester, hundreds of students gathered on the quad in-person and virtually to protest a leaked letter from a few faculty members detailing their concerns on how a diverse curriculum would be enacted.
This semester, SIA leaders said they plan on bridging the gap between students and Stonehill's senior leadership to create more honest communication.
Alvarez said what happened last fall exposed some student concerns. “A lot of the main issue on campus is that students don’t feel comfortable expressing what was occurring,” Alvarez said. “I think SIA is that bridge for students to talk to senior leadership. They can hold senior leadership accountable. That’s what SIA is about.”
Jones said students will remain active. “We put the campus on notice that we’re not going to sit around and let things happen,” Jones said. “We were able to show up and regardless of identity that we won’t be pushed around by faculty.”
Alvarez said there are now various subcommittees of SIA such as Safe Spaces, the Faculty Hiring Committee, and the Center for the Study of Race and Social Justice. SIA members are divided into these committees and come back to the larger group with their updates.
Various students from all class-years help lead these committees and meet regularly. “We hold each other accountable,” Alvarez said.
Alvarez, Valentine, and Jones said they plan on creating two more events this semester so they can begin to recruit more students.
Many students involved in SIA will be graduating this year.
“We have a lot of seniors that have led the charge and paved the path,” Valentine said. “It’s going to be a hit for us seeing seniors leave – we're going to be tasked with a lot of recruitment.”
Valentine, Alvarez, and Jones said they want to emphasize on how involvement in SIA gives students leadership and communication skills necessary for life after Stonehill. SIA also plans on “partnering with other clubs and organizations around us so other people can see that and know that we’re opening up,” Valentine said.
Currently, SIA is partnering with Psychology Society to discuss the “psychological impact of being a student of color,” according to an Instagram post.
This semester, Alvarez, Valentine, and Jones plan on creating a form for students on MyHill to submit a complaint if they want SIA’s help.
Valentine also emphasized the safety of the campus community during the remote learning period.
“As leaders of SIA, we urge students to think about the whole and not be selfish on the matter,” Valentine said. “Control the situation.”
“We want students to know that SIA did have the sit-in due to the letter – but that is not our main focus,” Valentine said. “We are here for you. Every student is welcome to be an active member of SIA and come to SIA for our help.”
Alvarez, Valentine, and Jones said students interested in joining Students in Action should email them.
“It’s not gonna change overnight,” said Jones. “Going forward we’re going to treat ourselves at students first.”