On Tuesday, April 6, Dean of the College Liz Braun sent an email to the student body addressing students’ overwhelmingly negative response to the recent decision to unify OneCard colors.
In order to clarify the reasoning behind this change, Braun explained that OneCard color had previously affected reclassified students, namely students who had taken a leave or were spring admits and transfer students, in a negative way. Despite this, many students feel the change was not implemented effectively and have signed a petition demanding that the previous OneCard color system be reinstated.
“I think it’s telling that the first I heard about the change in the OneCard colors was through a Facebook group,” said Brenna Cogswell ’12, who signed the petition. “I wish the school had offered up a poll to let every student weigh in with her own opinions about the situation, and thoughts on how to resolve the issues some students were experiencing. I appreciate the e-mail I received explaining in more detail the reasons for the change, however wish this effort was more proactive and came before the petitions and facebook groups were created.”
Another issue that has recently been of great importance to students is the apparently sudden elimination of several college traditions.
“One of the reasons I chose Mount Holyoke over another college was the sense of community the traditions create. I was very upset to find out that due to budget cuts, J-Term, a tradition that many students value and that sets us apart from other schools, will be cut,” said Lydia Bowers ’12. “Then, in quick succession, I discovered that my class colored OneCard, a nice reminder of the tradition of class colors which otherwise is only expressed once or twice a year, was also being taken away…The reason I feel so strongly about the OneCard issue is that I feel Mount Holyoke is slowly losing its traditions and therefore becoming a college different than the one I chose.”
As the creator of the petition to bring back the colored One Cards, Bowers is also frustrated by the way the College handled the situation. “We as students of this college have a right to voice our opinion about what our college does. I am organizing around this issue because I want to empower the student body to speak up when they have something to say. I also want the administration to understand they cannot make decisions affecting Mount Holyoke traditions, the traditions that we love, without informing or consulting the student body.”
In a letter to Dean Braun, SGA President May Yang conveyed that she and other members of the SGA were troubled by the decision. She submitted the following statement from SGA: “On behalf of the Mount Holyoke student body, the Student Government Association (SGA) is concerned about the recent policy change regarding OneCards and the lack of student body input during this decision-making process. We ask that the administration reexamine this recent policy change. In addition, we call on the administration to join in the ongoing SGA dialogue regarding the necessity of student input in future decision-making processes.”
News of the OneCard changes have also come as a shock to many alumnae of the College who found it a wonderful Mount Holyoke tradition.
“I’m disappointed and saddened to hear that Mount Holyoke is eliminating the class-colored OneCard. Class colors have been part of Mount Holyoke for decades and is one more way to unify a group of incoming firsties who have no idea that they will become a family in four short years,” said Sarah Binns ’08, former News Editor of The Mount Holyoke News. “Though they are small, the OneCard color represents a tight community, as well as a status symbol—when you’re flashing a red card, at least this year, everyone knows you’re a big deal…I think eliminating the OneCard color will be one more of those instances where alums look at the dwindling traditions of Mount Holyoke and know it was done better in their day!”
However, some feel that moving away from colored OneCards is a rather minor issue, especially in light of the many issues relating to higher education today, such as accessibility and tuition hikes.
“Clearly I’m not on campus now, so don’t know what other issues students are rallying around, but since this is the one thing I have heard about, it makes me a bit sad to think that students are willing to put energy into something like this, but maybe not into the bigger, more complex issues,” said Amanda Leinberger ’07. “I think that it does show that the administration is out of touch with students—although I can see how they wouldn’t think it’s a big deal, clearly it is. I can see how they wouldn’t want to announce every tiny administrative change to the student body—that would get old, and people would stop paying attention. However, some things, like changing the OneCard, do seem like they would be obvious things to bring up to students before the change.”
Related posts:
- OneCard class colors make a comeback
- Staff Editorial: OneCard Policy
- New OneCard works beyond campus and benefits College
- LITS to announce increase in OneCard printing allowance within the week
- College unveils plans to replace OneCard machines
