Unfortunately, the story doesn't end here with a community coming together to mourn the passing of a loved one. Sources tell me that instead this independent student initiative is creating controversy. Apparently, elements in the university administration do not want such symbols of solidarity and community on campus. The Division of Student Affairs (DOSA) has objected strongly to students holding this event. According to my informants, DOSA held their own event commemorating Burns. After the event a student and friend of Burns passed out flyers announcing their candlelight vigil. The student was approached by a member of DOSA who demanded that the flyers be handed over. The student refused and was then threatened with a scolding from the Dean of Students. To her credit, the student persisted and the vigil is being organized. Later, the student received an email threatening her with disciplinary action under the student conduct code if she did not cease her dangerous activity of having people light candles and remember the life of Telkia Burns. The student reports that she felt disrespected by the administration and that this is typical of the attitudes of many.
I hope that wisdom prevails and that admin supports this positive show of community support and campus solidarity. Unfortunately, yet again, students have been disrespected. Is this indicative of admin's attitude toward our students as it has been towards our faculty? Is it time to get in the game? Many students think so and are organizing a group to begin to demand a change at CSU. A planning meeting is set for Wednesday and Thursday of next week in SCI 1F. Flyers announcing the meeting are posted around campus.
More information regarding this situation is forthcoming. For now, see below for information on the vigil.
IN LOVING MEMORY
OF
TELKIA BURNS
THE CSU FAMILY IS COMING TOGETHER TO
HONOR ONE OF OUR OWN IN THE QUAD ON TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3RD AT 9 P.M
Did your informant tell you that Telkia's family was at the event? I was there and left thinking that I was proud of CSU. Faculty, staff, administrators, students (particularly friends of Telkia), and his mother spoke eloquently about his life. While I never met Telkia, I could not help but be moved by learning about his courageousness. The manner in which he lived his life served as a call to action for all attendee's and his mother exhibited great strength in her willingness to forgive Telkia's 18yo killer.
ReplyDeleteSo it seems a bit odd to me that when we have a moment where the campus community came together with his family that you would describe the event as a DOSA event. You or your "informant" are very misleading when you do not make it clear that family and friends of Telkia were involved in the memorial service. In fact, members of his family were very moved by the service and "humbled" (not my words) by the show of love and support.
As for your criticism of not allowing a student vigil: if the student was initially told that a vigil could not be held, then that clearly exemplifies poor management. I would like to know why someone would object and threaten disciplinary action for a seemingly benign act. In fact, I am copying your post and will ask the Dean of Students to explain.
I appreciate the added information. This is exactly what this blog is supposed to be for. However, I didn't think that my initial post was critical of the DOSA event for Telkia. Nor does the information you present change the nature of my concern regarding this incident.
DeleteIn addition, the seemingly odd behavior of threatening disciplinary action is based in some disputes that have occurred over the past year. I am unsure of all the complicated events that have taken place so can't comment. But, this may explain some of the seemingly irrational behavior over this incident.