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Digital Kenyon: Research,
Scholarship, and Creative Exchange
The Kenyon Collegian Archives
5-19-2020
Kenyon Collegian - May 19, 2020
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ESTABLISHED 1856 May 19, 2020 Vol. CXLVIII, No. 1
Tensions run high as admin hosts forum on Handbook changes
LINNEA MUMMA written and codified in the Student Hand- hosting all-campus events by national, “We aren’t able to respond as a unified student
NEWS EDITOR
book.” After Bonham made this distinc- rather than College-level, regulations. body.”
At the May 14 virtual forum discussing tion, many students were still confused as However, this clarification led to a bigger As part of the discussion on student input
the new Student Handbook and Student to what “practices” were in use before they problem: with the new restrictions on local on administrative policies, students also raised
Organization Handbook, over 35 students were officially made into a policy. organizations, there would be a decrease concerns about the role of the Campus Senate
and alumni made it clear that they were “It seems like some practices turn into in all-campus events. Students argued that and whether or not the content of its meetings
unhappy with many of the administra- policies and exist outside of what students the entire campus would feel the loss of could be broadcast to the student body when
tion’s proposed changes. What began with know is going on,” Clennon said. “How all-campus parties. an important decision was made. To this end,
issues of clarity and wording ultimately are we as students supposed to understand “In 2017, when the College’s own Alco- Bonham explained that Campus Senate was
uncovered larger problems with the ad- that distinction?” hol Task Force found that all-campus par- not a “legislative body,” and hadn’t been for
ministration’s practices, specifically those Bonham also clarified that disallowing ties were the drinking event least associ- many years. She said that, two years ago, the
related to accessibility within Greek life, new local Greek organizations has been ated with risks of alcohol poisoning, the Senate went through a “significant revision”
gray areas in the investigation process and a long-standing practice within the Of- Office of Student Engagement did not look to its constitution because it “did not have an
a large divide between the rights of stu- fice of Student Engagement. She explained for ways to expand these events,” Evan especially clear function.” She cited a smoking
dents and the power of the administration. that this decision was made due to issues Wagner ’22 commented in the online chat policy that Campus Senate put in place several
The forum began with a brief intro- of liability, one that Bonham claimed was during the forum. “Instead, they are tak- years ago as leading to this change.
duction from Vice President of Student “outside of the College’s control.” ing every effort to stamp out all-campuses, “There was no formal mechanism for mov-
Affairs Meredith Harper Bonham ’92, “The reason for no new local Greek or- leading to an increase in the number of ing that policy forward. What the new Campus
who thanked students for their feedback ganizations is that they have a very high small unregistered parties with unregu- Senate constitution does is provide greater au-
and discussed the lengthy process behind risk profile and the insurance company of lated alcohol that the Task Force had de- tonomy to Student Council to discuss specific
drafting the documents. Though many the College has told us that we cannot have termined to be most dangerous.” matters that relate to students,” Bonham said.
students had expressed concerns about any new organizations recognized by the Bonham acknowledged the positive “No longer does Student Council fall under
the timing of the new Handbook’s release College, or it runs the risk of the College impacts of all-campus parties on campus Campus Senate.”
given the current circumstances, Bonham losing its insurance or paying additional culture and alcohol consumption, but sug- Because of this, Bonham said that, while
explained that the process behind such re- premiums,” she said. gested that reducing them may also have the Senate’s role is limited to making policy
visions had started long before the admin- However, students were not convinced had such an impact. “I do want to note that recommendations to senior staff, “Student
istration became aware of the pandemic. that this was merely a liability issue, as op- we have seen this decline in all-campus Council does have the ability to advise specifi-
Back in the summer of 2018, Campus Sen- posed to a continuous effort on the part of parties over the last year and a half, two cally on any potential changes to the Student
ate passed a new constitution, and because the administration to limit the amount of years. I should note too that transports for Handbook.”
of this, Bonham and her colleagues real- Greek organizations on campus. excessive intoxication to the hospital have In the Student Council meeting on May
ized it was time to look into drafting a new “It seems to me that this is limiting the also declined,” she said. “There may not be 10, students questioned the limitations of this
Student Handbook. ability of future organizations to come to a correlation, but I think that’s a good data structure of governance.
“It had been at least 10 years since the campus, whether local or national,” said point to keep in mind.” “At one point, students and faculty did have
Student Handbook had gone through any Katherine Crawford ’22, a member of Al- Finally, a number of students voiced direct voting input into policies and hand-
significant revision, so what had happened pha Sigma Tau (AST), Kenyon’s only na- the need for more transparency in re- books,” Student Council Vice President for
over the years is that different pieces got tional sorority. “I don’t see Kenyon being gard to the student conduct section of the Academic Affairs Bradley Berklich ’22 said.
added at different points,” Bonham said. bettered by limiting local organizations. Handbook, feeling as though the College’s “There’s some bit of a vacuum of real, measur-
“We endeavoured to make sure that this They are a vital part of Kenyon’s commu- investigative process brought unneeded able input that would hold things really ac-
was a document that was clear, that was nity.” stress to students. Director of Student countable … I do not think that the measur-
concise and as transparent as possible.” Another point of contention was the Rights and Responsibilities James Jackson able student input has been replaced.”
Upon closer examination of the revised fact that the dues of local groups are low- promised that the administration would In response, Bonham explained that the
Handbook, however, students quickly re- er than those of national organizations, do their best to make edits to this section administration sometimes has to “implement
alized that it lacked transparency. After pointing to greater issues of accessibility of the Handbook, but added that some policies that may be unpopular with students”
Bonham’s May 7 email announcing the fi- within Greek life and who can participate amount of ambiguity is necessary in cer- due to legal, health and safety reasons, but
nalized draft of the Student Handbook and in it. For context, all of the national orga- tain instances. said she wanted to make sure that both re-
Student Organization Handbook, students nizations at Kenyon cost over $300 per se- “When we start an investigation, we vised Handbooks included clear language that
scoured both documents and filled out the mester while local organizations cost from don’t want organizations to plan out what would take student input on such policies into
Google Form offering their feedback. $100-$200 per semester. they’re going to say to us. If we show too account.
Bonham explained that most of the “I know local groups have lower dues much too early, there are times when we “Putting policies out into a referendum ev-
feedback she received fell into three cat- and can be more accessible to low-income interview students and they will all have ery time is just not practical,” she said. “I am
egories: the extent to which students have students. I would like to make the dues the same answers, showing that they hopeful that Student Council will continue to
a voice in future revisions, the ability of more accessible across the board,” said Di- got together beforehand to craft those strengthen in the years to come, and be a loud
students to have input on the social events rector of Student Engagement Sam Filkins. answers,”Jackson said. “There are ways we voice that we can come to and consult with
with alcohol policy and confusion about Students were also upset by the fact can find a balance in improving the inves- when there are any points of contention.”
restrictions on new local Greek organiza- that this policy would disproportionately tigation process, while somewhat main- After the lengthy forum, many students
tions. To begin the conversation, she com- affect those wishing to be a part of sorori- taining the purpose of the investigation felt underrepresented in the College’s desi-
pared the language in the old Handbook to ties, given that over 60 national fraterni- process.” cion-making process. They also asked to see
the new one. ties exist that could establish themselves The concerns over accessibility and in- concrete changes on the part of the adminis-
In the old version, it was written that at Kenyon, compared to only 26 national clusion led to greater questions regarding tration, which Filkins, Kane and Bonham all
students were to be notified of changes sororities. student autonomy within both Student promised to deliver. Whether this meant the
to the Handbook via email or the College “In my four years, local sororities have Council and the Campus Senate. Despite creation of scholarship funds to make national
website, but there was no mention of Stu- been cooperative with the school’s poli- the inclusion of Student Council in the Greek organizations more inclusive, the con-
dent Council or their role in the revision cies and have hosted numerous events that new Handbook’s ratification processes, stant stream of communication between Stu-
process. The new Handbook, however, enrich the community,” Abigail Salzman students expressed the concern that the dent Council and the student body or a more
states that changes will be brought to Stu- ’20, a former president of Epsilon Delta input of Student Council was not enough, precise wording on the policies found in the
dent Council before they are updated on Mu (EDM), said. “Are efforts being made as it would limit the amount of voices in- student conduct section, the three adminis-
the College website and conveyed to stu- to think of another classification for social volved with future shifts from practice to tration members at the forum promised to do
dents via email. organizations that can serve similar func- policy. better.
In conjunction with the attention to tions and create those social spaces with- “It seems like it’s the role of our student “Based on what the student body wants to
word choice, Harry Clennon ’21 asked out having to go national?” elective bodies to make decisions about see from the Campus Senate, if we had some
Bonham for clarification on what she In response to Salzman’s concerns, student life. It seems very easy for the ad- process of the administration making it clear
meant by practice versus policy. She told both Bonham and Dean of Campus Life ministration to reject those decisions un- that they were going against the wishes of the
him that a practice was “something we Laura Kane emphasized that national fra- der the radar, without a clear legitimation Campus Senate, we would be able to respond
do on a daily basis; a policy is something ternities and sororities are banned from of why they rejected them,” said Wagner. more as a unified body,” Wagner said.
2 Tuesday, May 19 | kenyoncollegian.com
Students and administration clash on COVID housing policy
KASSIE RIMEL but was told she would not be al- was frustrated they wouldn’t al- her friend’s house in North Car- comodations. Moguel, who is ap-
ASSOCIATE COPY EDITOR lowed to come back. Morgan then low her to continue to live alone olina and drive to Florida to see proved to stay on campus for the
appealed to Vice President of Stu- where she could self-quarantine. her grandmother for a week be- summer, lived in a dorm this se-
Kenyon’s firm COVID-19 pol- dent Affairs Meredith Bonham “If I am alone, it is not impacting fore driving back to live with her mester but recently received ac-
icy prevents students still living ’92, who also rejected her request, anybody,” Morgan said. “But the friend for two weeks until her commodations from ResLife for
on campus from returning if they reiterating that the policy was put decision [the administration] is lease is available in Washington, a private bathroom. After spring
leave the local area. Any student in place to ensure the safety of the making is going to impact me for D.C. break, all students approved to
who chooses to travel more than Kenyon community. the rest of my life.” According to Kane, all stu- stay were moved into Caples Resi-
one hour from Kenyon will not be Bonham told Morgan, “We Yet Kane and Bonham believe dents living on campus will begin dence Hall, McBride Residence
allowed to return, with no excep- make decisions that are mindful this policy is in the best interest moving into apartments after fi- Hall or Mather Residence Hall for
tions. of all the students who remain on of the Kenyon community. With nals week. This move will be com- consolidation. Although students
For Shara Morgan ’22, this is campus,” and later emphasized to the students living in such close pleted before off-campus students already living in apartments were
a devastating policy. Morgan’s the Collegian, “we need to be very contact with one another, a single return to retrieve their belongings allowed to remain there, Moguel
grandmother has contracted bac- careful given that our students are person returning to campus with starting May 30. The administra- was not moved into an available
terial pneumonia and pre-existing in a congregate living situation.” the virus could spread it rapidly. tion’s objective is to make sure apartment despite the specifica-
health conditions have exacerbat- Morgan said that the rigid- “If students do have a compel- students are staying safe during tions outlined in his new housing
ed its severity. Despite the seri- ity of the policy made her feel as ling reason to be traveling else- the 12-day retrieval, and provide accomodations. Instead, Moguel
ousness of her grandmother’s ill- though the administration was where, then students will have a each student with an in-house was moved into another dorm
ness, Morgan was unable to visit unsympathetic to her situation. difficult choice to make,” Kane kitchen. residence that he said, “wouldn’t
her at the time because she lives She offered to isolate herself in her said. However, Ezra Moguel ’21 has be good for [him] because [his]
in Florida. Morgan reached out to apartment following her visit, but Although Morgan was not voiced concerns that the admin- accommodations specify living in
Dean of Campus Life Laura Kane, the administration said they were granted permission to return to istration is not acting in students’ an apartment.”
to see if there was a way she could planning to pair her with a suit- campus, she ultimately made the best interests, citing that the Of- All housing and dining policies
travel to see her grandmother and emate and didn’t want to put ad- decision to depart from Kenyon. fice of Residential Life (ResLife) will remain in place until August
return to campus after the trip, ditional students at risk. Morgan She will leave her belongings at is not fulfilling his housing ac- 1, when they will be re-evaluated.
Emotional Health and Well-Being College 2020-21 budget
Task Force shares progress update remains uncertain
data that may inform policy recommendations. ADAM SCHWAGER
JACKSON WALD
STAFF WRITER
MANAGING EDITOR However, according to the Task Force, Kenyon’s
Healthy Minds data from the previous survey was On Monday, May 11, the Kenyon Board of Trustees met virtually for
A Task Force on Emotional Health and Well-Be- “significantly” out of date, and would not account the second time in three weeks to discuss future plans for dealing with the
ing was formed in fall 2019 to propose and discuss for the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 crisis.
changes to Kenyon’s administrative response re- The Task Force also cites the emergence of Talk- The majority of the May 11 meeting revolved around Kenyon’s 2020-
garding mental health issues—especially following space, an online therapy service provided to Kenyon 21 budget and the different ways it could be affected by the COVID-19
the controversial “Send Silence Packing” event that students who reside outside of Ohio, as the reason crisis. The Board was presented with several financial models, all depict-
occurred in September. The Task Force features a for its decision to shy away from becoming a JED ing various levels of economic disruption.
combination of administrators, faculty and students campus. Kenyon’s fiscal partnership with Talkspace While in an ideal world, the Board of Trustees would have been able to
and is run by Vice President of Student Affairs Mer- will run at least until May of 2021. set an official budget for the upcoming academic year, President Sean De-
edith Bonham ’92 and John B. McCoy-Banc One Lesser-Roy believes the Task Force is working catur said the Board will continue to meet as the uncertain national situ-
Distinguished Teaching Professor of Music Dane hard to serve the Kenyon community as best as it ation evolves, however they are “mindful that the College has balanced its
Heuchemer. can, despite the challenges of communicating virtu- budget for 49 consecutive years,” according to the Office of Communica-
According to the Task Force’s most recent report, ally during a pandemic. tions’ meeting report.
their main objective, following their latest meeting “I think, in general, I’m really proud of the work The Board also discussed the impending changes to the Department
on April 21, is to immediately assemble a report for that we’ve done,” Lesser-Roy said. “This isn’t an is- of Education’s Title IX procedures. The new changes, laid out by Secretary
the Great Lakes Colleges Association (GLCA) as a sue that can be fixed overnight. And I think the fact of Education Betsy DeVos on May 6, must be adopted into practice by
follow-up to the GLCA Presidential Summit on that the discussion is happening, and that some- August 14. The Board of Trustees’ Title IX and Nondiscriminatory Poli-
Mental Health, which various members of the Task thing like Talkspace is being invested in and is at cies Committee will use the coming weeks to propose changes to the Col-
Force attended in December. the forefront of all of our minds is super, super im- lege’s Sexual Misconduct and Harassment Policy that will adhere to the
The Task Force also decided to halt their efforts to portant.” new guidelines, and will propose those changes to the full Board in the
make Kenyon a JED campus. The JED campus pro- In addition, Talkspace will host a webinar for stu- summer.
gram, born from the JED Foundation, is “designed dents at partner schools on Thursday, May 21 from After dealing with the timely national issues, the Board moved on to
to guide schools through a collaborative process of 1-2 p.m. ET. Topics covered will include “adjusting topics that were more Kenyon-specific. They passed a resolution memori-
comprehensive systems, program and policy de- to life at home, returning to campus, remote learn- alizing former Professor of Physics and Provost James Gunton, who died
velopment with customized support to build upon ing, loss of campus resources, financial hardships, in February at the age of 82. The board also approved Cleveland-based
existing student mental health, substance use and disconnection and more.” There will also be a live firm Maloney + Novotny LLC to audit Kenyon’s financial statements and
suicide prevention efforts,” according to the pro- Q&A session; students wishing to ask a question retirement plans and extended their gratitude to outgoing Provost Joseph
gram website. Among other services, JED conducts ahead of time are asked to fill out a form sent to their Klesner, who will rejoin the faculty and lead the College’s next strategic
a “Healthy Minds” survey at schools to provide the emails. planning process.
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Tuesday, May 19
FEATURES kenyoncollegian.com 3
The Campus Senate: a timeline of waning influence
Since its conception in 1963, the Campus Senate has served as a voice for the Kenyon student body. | GREENSLADE SPECIAL COLLECTIONS AND ARCHIVES
Throughout the 1990s, Campus Senate con- Cowperthwaite wrote in an email to the Colle- ment.
SOPHIE KRICHEVSKY
FEATURES EDITOR tinued to enact policy regarding a variety of is- gian. “It was also in response to the administra- These recent undertakings, however, are not
sues, including the lengthening of library hours, tion’s failure to act upon the Senate’s smoking nearly as large as some of the projects that the
BECCA FOLEY increasing parking availability and even the es- resolution.” Senate used to take on. When in recent years,
ART DIRECTOR
tablishment of what is now Wiggin Street Coffee. Over a year later, in September of 2017, the Bonham has been asked about the shrinking
Kenyon’s Campus Senate has historically been When plans for Peirce Dining Hall’s renovations Senate voted to implement this restructured body. role of Campus Senate, she has explained that
the only representative body on campus where were first proposed, a group of female students The body was now to consist of six students, two more of the issues previously handled in Senate
students, faculty, staff and administrators come petitioned the Senate to make it a more inclusive faculty, two administrators and two staff mem- are now handled by adults in hired positions.
together to discuss campus-wide issues and reso- space through the addition of round tables, which bers. The previous year, the Senate had consisted “For example, if there is a question or con-
lutions. In its 57 years of existence, the Senate has are still used in Thomas Hall (New Side) today. of 11 students and 11 administrators. cern about housing and residential life that
devolved from a body that dictated almost all as- The Senate remained active throughout the After this, the Senate worked to amend their now just simply goes to the Director of Hous-
pects of student life to a group with little decision 2000s. They voted in favor of a pay raise for stu- Constitution to clarify their mission. From fall ing and Residential Life,” Bonham said in a Sep-
making power on campus. dents, though it was rejected by the president, cre- 2017 to spring 2018, a Constitutional Review tember 2016 article of the Collegian. “Whereas
Founded in 1963, Campus Senate was origi- ated a Senate seat for Greek Council, rewrote Title Committee consisting of Cowperthwaite, Boh- before that might have been an issue Campus
nally intended to be a space where students, fac- IX policies, raised the minimum GPA for par- nam, Student Council President George Costan- Senate took up and then bought to the dean
ulty members, trustees and administrators could ticipation in Greek organizations and drafted the zo ’19, Dean of Campus Life Laura Kane and of students.” However, housing at Kenyon has
discuss and propose solutions to student con- Good Samaritan policy, to name a few. Associate Professor of Economics PJ Glandon been overseen by a Director of Housing (today
cerns. According to the 1964-1965 Course Cata- Though students grew less eager to run for worked on a new draft that specified the role of known as the Director for Residential Life), a
log, Campus Senate had the power to “legislate Campus Senate in the early 2010s, the group still the Senate. However, the Committee did not al- paid employee, as early as 1974, if not earlier.
and to interpret policy regarding student affairs.” continued to create policy. Most notably, the Sen- ways see eye to eye. Following recent administrative revisions
The idea to establish a senate came from the ate voted to convert all single-stall bathrooms on “At the beginning of the process, I submitted of the Student Handbook, an open forum was
College’s Self Study Committee, which evalu- campus to gender-neutral or gender-inclusive a draft Constitution which preserved Senate’s leg- hosted last week to gather feedback. The forum
ated many aspects of campus life. The chair of ones in the fall of 2014. The Senate also spent a islative role but this was dismissed out of hand,” included discussions of changes in the investi-
the Self Study Committee was future Charles P. great deal of time considering what was perhaps Cowperthwaite wrote to the Collegian. “Instead, gation processes and the formal prohibition of
McIlvaine Professor of English Emeritus Per- the largest campus debate of the time: the Col- [Kane] wrote the Constitution and we would new local Greek organizations on campus—all
ry C. Lentz ’64 P ’88, who, along with Writer lege’s smoking policy. By the fall of 2012, the Sen- come to humbly offer our comments. When I and done without Senate approval. As many stu-
in Residence P.F. Kluge ’64, then a junior, was ate began to discuss the creation of designated other students objected to the removal of the Sen- dents and alumni—Cowperthwaite includ-
among the first members of Campus Senate. At smoking zones and the removal of ashtrays from ate’s purview of many Student Handbook poli- ed—pointed out, important campus decisions
its founding, the Senate hoped to address a vari- trash cans. The policy was approved by both the cies, [Bonham] would dissemble and claim that should not be made without Senate approval.
ety of issues on campus, including a debate sur- Senate and the College president, but was never the Senate did not have a legislative role despite They therefore used the forum to address the
rounding “women’s hours,” which dictated the fully enforced. the language in the original constitution and that need for the Senate to regain the power that it
times at which students were permitted to have Upon her return to Kenyon in 2015, Vice it’s[sic] purpose was not to focus on student issues had lost.
female guests in their dorm rooms. In the follow- President for Student Affairs Meredith Harper but only those affecting the whole campus com- Cowperthwaite expressed concerns about
ing years, Campus Senate played a significant role Bonham ’92 was appointed a seat on the Senate as munity.” these open forums not actually enacting real
in decisions surrounding campus policies on al- the College’s chief student affairs officer. Despite The 2018 Constitution drafted by Kane gave change. “In all of the forums, Senate and Coun-
cohol, fraternities and housing. many past successful initiatives from the Senate, Senate far less power than the 2016 edition. In cil meetings, and personal conversations I can-
Initially, Campus Senate was to be comprised Bonham quickly expressed her concerns for the the 2016 Constitution, the Senate was granted the not recall a single time the administration has
of five students nominated by the Student Coun- body’s mission. “I think there’s a general lack of power to “legislate within the jurisdiction of the truly reversed course on any policy of real im-
cil, three members of the faculty, the Dean of Stu- clarity about the functions of Senate, not only on Campus Government rules for the regulation of port in response to students’ dissent,” he wrote
dents and the College Chaplain. Though the Sen- Senate itself but also within the Kenyon commu- student life and extracurricular activities,” and it in an email to the Collegian. “At best students
ate would have full legislative powers, the College nity as a whole,” Bonham said in an article from had “exclusive power” to do so. In 2018, however, can delay. And when the only power in govern-
president could ratify or veto their legislation. the Dec. 10, 2015 issue of the Collegian. “It’s worth the Constitution states that Campus Senate has ment is the power to delay it is no wonder that
This structure has changed numerous times looking at whether Campus Senate continues to the power to “deliberate and to adopt policy rec- students are not lining up to participate.”
as the College has evolved over the years. When fulfill a need.” ommendations on whatever matters are of gener- Cowperthwaite believes that asking for stu-
the Coordinate College for Women at Kenyon In the same article, President Sean Decatur al importance to the broader campus community dent input in such forums alone is not enough
College opened in 1969, for instance, the Coor- said that he did not think of the Senate as hold- and to forward such considerations to the appro- to solve the current issues. He hopes that despite
dinate College created their own equivalent of ing much power, but he did not want it eradicated. priate campus body and/or administrative office.” never being able to overrule the administration,
Campus Senate, the Coordinate College Council; “I don’t think that dissolving Senate would be a This new Constitution was not voted on until the Senate will be given opportunities to have a
one member of this council was granted a Sen- good thing for the campus, though it may be the the fall of 2018, after Cowperthwaite, one of the vote for initiatives like the Student Handbook in
ate seat. When the new College Constitution was right time to ask whether the structure of Senate is strongest advocates for a revised Constitution, order to “formally register” the attitudes of the
created in 1972 in order to accommodate the cre- the right structure for us now,” he said. had already graduated. “I believe that this was student body. “Students must demand an op-
ation of Title IX, it was decided that, just as Ken- Other members of the Senate, however, were done to freeze me out so that I could not speak portunity to vote so that it is clear to the com-
yon became fully coeducational, campus govern- more concerned with the body’s actual influence out or organize students against the removal of munity and the historical record when the ad-
ment would become so as well. on campus. Associate Professor of English Sarah our oversight powers before the vote,” Cowperth- ministration is actually listening to students
In its prime, Campus Senate’s activities were Heidt ’97, who, at the time, was Senate co-chair, waite wrote to the Collegian. and when it is decidedly not,” Cowpertthwaite
widely discussed among students, and the Colle- expressed concerns about their inability to enact Since approving the new constitution, Cam- wrote to the Collegian.
gian reported on its deliberations regularly. By the change. “Right now, we’re not convinced that we pus Senate has been primarily focused on draft- However, Bonham does not see much of
mid-1970s, though, this excitement for the Senate have the ability to affect anything,” Heidt said in ing a protest policy. Professor of Mathematics Bob a need for the Senate to alter its current role.
seemed to fade. By 1977, there was talk of elimi- the same article. “If we’re working on something, Milnikel, outgoing faculty co-chair of the Senate, “Moving forward, my hope is that [Campus
nating Campus Senate altogether: The so-called we hope that it’s something that we actually have said that the process for drafting and proposing Senate] will continue to function in the same
“York Proposal,” brought forth by the provost, some ability to affect.” the policy took almost a year. “Senate has no legis- healthy and productive manner, and that if any
sought to put an end to faculty participation in After these concerns about influence and lative authority, but we obtained endorsements of future tweaks are necessary, Senate will discuss
Senate, which would strip it of much of its pow- purpose, in spring of 2016, hopes for a revamped our final proposed policy from [Student Council. and debate them,” she wrote in an email to the
er. However, the student body ultimately rallied Campus Senate were high. Consequently, Colin Staff Council, and Faculty Meeting] before pre- Collegian.
together to prevent this proposal from passing. Cowperthwaite ’18, who was student co-chair of senting it to Senior Staff for implementation,” he Even as some view Campus Senate as an in-
The Senate was threatened again in 1991, when Senate at the time, teamed up with Heidt to create wrote in an email to the Collegian. Other Senate effective body that does not continue “to fulfill a
Student Council proposed absorbing some of the a new “Senate 2.0” initiative, which aimed to re- actions in recent years include giving feedback on need” on campus, it has survived at Kenyon as a
Senate’s legislative powers, which, again, would duce their overlap with the Student Council and new Title IX policies and the College’s new mis- vehicle for student voices. Despite its diminish-
have all but abolished the Senate. However, this make the Senate more efficient. “It made Senate sion statement, consulting about Honors Day ing power, students and recent alumni are fight-
never came to fruition, and the Senate survived. a more lean and effective decision making body,” awards and helping to draft an accessibility state- ing to restore the Senate to its decisive roots.
4 Tuesday, May 19 | kenyoncollegian.com
Jim Borgman ’76 drew himself as his Zits character, Jeremy. This is the first cartoon Borgman has drawn for the Collegian since his graduation. | JIM BORGMAN
Oasis in the desert: a conversation with Jim Borgman ’76
ALEX GILKEY
CARTOONIST
Gambier. that were placed into an issue. Borg- the other to retiring cartoonist L.D. They believed Borgman had brought
Anticipating an English degree man said he still follows the same Warren. On a visit home to Cincin- readers back to the newspaper who
BECCA FOLEY
ART DIRECTOR
but ultimately becoming an art major, process today: Starting with a pencil nati during winter break, Borgman had been turned off by the editorial
Borgman spent much of his time at drawing, he inks the outline of objects was able to secure lunch with an En- page’s conservative content. Realizing
The comics section of a newspa- Kenyon trekking back and forth be- and characters with a brush before quirer editor, and brought the same that Borgman would produce his best
per has been a favorite part of read- tween Old Kenyon and Bexley Hall, using Micron pens to add detail. The cartoons he had mailed to Gebhart work if unrestricted by ideology, they
ers’ morning routines for generations. where the Art Department once re- only considerable change in his pro- and Warren. After lunch, the editor encouraged him to express his own
The comic strip Zits is one of the most sided. Kenyon’s ivy-covered walls, cess after nearly 50 years of drawing is brought Borgman’s work to Gebhart, views. For this, Borgman is grateful.
successful to enter the arena. Attract- weekend films and occasional tennis- that he now uses Photoshop for color- who, oddly enough, had just received “I give them so much credit. Many,
ing 200 million daily readers, Zits has court parties contributed to his warm ing before sending out the final work. the same packet Borgman sent in many newspapers did not ever treat
been published in 1,600 newspapers memories of campus life. He met his Borgman’s style of drawing was the mail. Later, Warren too received their cartoonists that way,” Borgman
in 45 countries and translated into first wife Lynn Goodwin ’76 on cam- influenced by 19th-century cartoons his mailed set of cartoons. Warren said.
15 languages. Kenyon alumnus and pus and the two married several years shown to him by West, but more brought the package into Gebhart’s Borgman’s work not only influ-
former Collegian cartoonist Jim Borg- later. largely by the works of contemporary office where he found that, by absolute enced his daily readers, but it also in-
man ’76 P’ 12 H ‘88 has been there Borgman’s cartooning career be- editorial cartoonists Jeff MacNally coincidence, West’s cartoonist friend fluenced a young freshman who came
since the beginning. gan in the middle of his junior year, and Pat Oliphant, who would even- in Philadelphia had also sent Gebhart to Kenyon the year after he graduat-
Alongside fellow writer and car- when Collegian writer Richard West tually inspire Borgman to “take the a copy of Borgmans cartoons. In the ed. Borgman met Bill Watterson ’80
toonist Jerry Scott, Borgman has ’76 asked him to illustrate a several- camera into average people’s homes” end, Gebhart received the four identi- when he visited Kenyon from Cincin-
drawn Zits since 1997. For the last 23 part series on famous Kenyon alumni. to reflect on how larger policy issues cal packets of Borgman’s work from nati. By this time, Winkler had taken
years, Borgman has drawn 16-year- After that, Borgman asked Collegian affected everyday citizens. Borgman’s four different sources. Borgman got Watterson under his wing as the new
old Jermey Duncan as he navigates editor Matthew Winkler ’77 P’13 H drawing style was additionally influ- an interview and landed the job, be- Collegian cartoonist. His memories
high school along with his screen-ob- ’00 if he could begin drawing weekly enced by the liberal arts education he ginning one week after he graduated with Watterson primarily consisted of
sessed friends, his on-again off-again cartoons, and Winkler agreed. One received at Kenyon. Taking theater in 1976. “pizza and laughing.” After graduat-
girlfriend Sara and his parents, who of Borgman’s first cartoons was in re- classes helped him learn to “set the When he was hired, Borgman ing, Watterson continued to follow in
struggle to weed through his dirty sponse to an incident during the sum- scene” of a cartoon. Borgman also had drawn about 20 cartoons in his Borgman’s footsteps when he became
laundry jungle of a room. mer of 1975, when a Campus Safety talked about how Kenyon made him life, all for the Collegian. He quickly an editorial cartoonist at the Cincin-
Borgman was raised in the west officer shot and killed a student’s cat. think critically. surpassed that amount within his nati Post, Borgman’s cross-town rival.
side neighborhood of Price Hill in In the cartoon, Borgman depicted “I really do believe that Kenyon first few weeks at the Enquirer, draw- However, Watterson found himself
Cincinnati, Ohio. Growing up, he re- four felines as 1920s mobsters, com- gave [me] a curiosity about the world, ing six cartoons per week. Soon after more suited to drawing cartoons in
counts watching his father paint signs plete with fedoras, tommy guns and a sort of devil’s advocate voice, chal- he started, political differences with strip format than for editorials and
on the outside of moving vans and zoot suits. By using Kenyon-specific lenging assumptions,” he said. “I don’t his fellow staff made him feel out of left after only a few months. Watter-
beer trucks, “osmosing the beauty events as inspiration, Borgman did know how they did it, but I really do place. Being a progressive cartoonist son went on to create the renowned
and qualities of lettering.” His moth- more than political cartooning: He think my teachers did that for me. It at the conservative Enquirer, Borg- Calvin and Hobbes and remained in
er stayed home to care for him, his depicted student experiences through served me not only as a human being, man avoided political debates, both at close contact with Borgman for many
brother and his two sisters. As Borg- caricature. but it’s served me in my profession re- work and in his cartoons. years after.
man approached the end of his time Since resources on newspaper car- ally well.” “I wasn’t a bomb-thrower, my Borgman’s work at the Enquirer
at Elder High School, he noticed a tooning were scarce, Borgman’s car- As his graduation drew closer, mind was just wandering in a differ- earned him a Pulitzer Prize in 1991,
book with a purple spine in his college tooning ability is largely self-taught. Borgman prepared to enter the world ent direction,” he said. and he continued to draw cartoons
counselors office: the Kenyon College In the beginning, he used scratchy of professional editorial cartooning. But after two years it became clear there for another 30 years until retir-
catalogue. This early 1970s Kenyon pens and India ink, which he typi- Halfway through his senior year, he that his views and those at the En- ing in 2008.
catalogue intrigued Borgman and, cally found in his art classes. When compiled three packages of his Col- quirer “weren’t jiving.” After receiv- After almost 20 years at the En-
after a tour that included auditing a he made a mistake, white-out was an legian cartoons. First, he gave one ing another job offer, Borgman went quirer, a flat tire significantly changed
class on Shakespeare in Philomathe- easy fix. Once a drawing was com- copy to West, who knew a cartoon- to Gebhart and said he would under- his cartooning career. In 1995, en
sian Hall, Kenyon ended up being his plete, Borgman would drop the car- ist in Philadelphia. He then mailed stand if the Enquirer wished to part route to a National Cartoonist Society
only college tour. In the fall of 1972, toon off at the Collegian offices, where two copies to the Cincinnati Enquir- ways with him. However, Gebhart conference in Florida, both Borgman
he ascended the “magic mountain” of a large camera copied the drawings er— one to editor Tom Gebhart and and other editors had a different idea. (who was travelling from page 5
Tuesday, May 19 | kenyoncollegian.com 5
Left: One of Borgman’s first cartoons for the Collegian. Right: Borgman created this cartoon as a response for 9/11 but has updated it to reflect the COVID-19 crisis.
The creator of Zits shares how Kenyon shaped his cartoons
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4 which the primary characters were attributes Zits’ early success to an tinue to focus on high school life. This substitutes. However, Borgman says
small children with large heads and “unaddressed niche” for teenage hu- hasn’t stopped Borgman from refer- the new strips will not necessarily
Cincinnati) and fellow cartoonist small bodies, Scott drew his teenage mor comics. Previous strips such as encing Kenyon in Zits, though. On be a reflection of the response to the
Jerry Scott (travelling from Phoenix) characters in the same fashion. Borg- Archie were still around, but were mugs, T-shirts and when characters pandemic; he wants Zits to maintain
had a layover in Atlanta and board- man, whose son was 15 at the time, set in the 1950s and lacked Zits’ tone. visit college fairs, he likes to slip Ken- a sense of normalcy for its readers.
ed the same flight. Even though they quickly replied, “That’s not the way As their children grew into adult- yon in as an homage. “We’re not overtly dealing with
knew of each other at the time, they teenagers look. They’re long, lanky, hood and the cartoonists began to “Kenyon is my idea of the college the virus,” Borgman explained. “We
barely knew each other personally. [and] drape themselves over furni- lack first-hand inspiration, Borgman I’d like for everyone, so if we ever think people [will] have had enough
The plane promptly blew a tire on ture,” and began drawing. Immedi- and Scott feared they would become chose to take Jeremy to college, it’s of [COVID-19] by the time they get
the runway, and by the end of the five ately, Scott knew Borgman had the out of touch with modern teenagers. safe to say it’d look a lot like Kenyon to the comics page, and would rather
hours that the passengers spent sit- right idea, but said he couldn’t draw Thankfully, he is reassured that the does,” Borgman assured. have that be an oasis.”
ting on the tarmac, the two cartoon- the same way. After returning home Zits cast of characters are accepted as Borgman returned to Kenyon in During the current crisis, Borg-
ists had become good friends. the two began the comic now known “their idea of teenagers” by their audi- 1988 and 1991 to give Commence- man has continued to draw cartoons
One year later, Borgman trav- as Zits, faxing suggestions about ence, even if modern teens stop say- ment addresses. In his 1991 speech from his in-home studio near the
eled to Arizona to deliver a talk and characters back and forth. ing “dude.” “Where Do You Get Your Ideas? mountains of Boulder, Colo., where
wanted to spend a few extra days Borgman found immense value The characters’ personalities are Some Thoughts on Creativity,” he he and his wife, Suzanne, moved 10
away from harsh February weather in working with Scott. “I had never not the only thing that has changed brought illustrations which were years ago. The light-filled studio con-
in Cincinnati, so he called Scott for been successful in writing a comic over time; on Aug. 23, 2009, Jeremy handed out to the entire audience tains several pieces of memorabilia,
local travel suggestions. Scott first strip. I thought about doing it and finally got his driver’s license, signi- during his speech. His daughter Chel- including a collection of Cincinnati
recommended a charming inn near would like to do it, but I didn’t know fying his 16th birthday after being 15 sea graduated in 2012. Reds baseballs, a pair of Zits boxer
Sedona before inviting himself along. how to create characters or write in for over a decade. Just as the COVID-19 crisis has shorts hung on the wall and a paper-
Traveling to Sedona, Scott said to that short format that a comic strip “We had him turn 16 because we changed the content of news stories, mache rhino mask with a horn made
Borgman “the only thing is there’s a requires,” Borgman said. “[Scott] wanted him to drive,” Borgman ex- the content of their accompanying of wine corks. He has kept the same
ground rule here: We’re not gonna knew all that, and he liked my way of plained, as giving Jeremy a license cartoons has changed as well. At the drawing board since his first day at
talk about work.” After three days of expressing it.” expanded their palette of ideas. He beginning of the crisis, Borgman and the Enquirer 44 years ago.
hiking, Scott walked over to Borg- After several months of exchang- describes Jeremy’s age as “glacial,” but Scott realized they would need to al- Borgman and Scott continue to
man’s cabin, sketchbook in hand, ing ideas, Scott and Borgman showed now thinks of him more as a 17 year ter their approach, and began pulling collaborate on Zits, and someday,
saying, “‘I know we’re not supposed the idea to King Features Syndicate old. strips from publication that could ap- readers may finally see Jeremy Dun-
to talk about work, but I’m trying to editor Jay Kennedy, who gave it final When asked if Jeremy would ever pear insensitive to those sheltering-in- can at freshman move-in day. If he
do this comic strip about a teenager.’” approval for publishing it in newspa- attend Kenyon, Borgman laughed place. Strips with large parties or oth- continues to age at his current rate,
Scott thought the drawings weren’t pers. When the first Zits comic ap- and said they’ll consider sending him er activities that could appear out of we should expect him at Kenyon in
coming out the way he wanted them peared in the paper on July 7, 1997, to college if they choose to wrap up touch during times of social distanc- August, 2033 and see him graduate
to. Having worked on comic strips in it became an instant hit. Borgman the strip. For now, the strip will con- ing were pulled and replaced with in May, 2070.
Class of 2020 finds creative ways to celebrate graduation
DORA SEGALL said. “I was like, ‘I mean, I’ve already had a high Beeland said. “It’s something tangible to show parents later that evening, upon Kurra’s re-
STAFF WRITER
school graduation, so I guess you should just go for it.” quest, the middle-aged couple agreed to play
When Kenyon announced that it would to hers.’” While Beeland had a substitute graduation beer pong with her.
conduct classes online for the rest of the school Instead, his parents had planned to visit with his family, Vahni Kurra ’20 celebrated “I was really shocked [that they agreed],” she
year, many seniors were disappointed that their campus the weekend before Commencement away from hers. When at first it was believed said. “I was like, ‘This is gonna get a hard ‘no.’
time on the Hill had come to a premature end and set up a canopy tent outside of his North that Kenyon would resume classes on cam- [But] Scott was like, ‘You know what? Let’s do it.
and that they would miss definitive events like Campus Apartment, where they were going pus in April, Kurra’s parents, who live far from Let’s finish college right.’”
Summer Sendoff and Senior Week. to invite Beeland’s friends to share a meal with Kenyon in Rapid City, S.D., initially thought it Haley Witschey ’20, who is also spending
Although the College will hold a virtual them. would be a good idea for her to stay with family the quarantine in Ohio, decided to journey
Commencement on May 29 and an in-person When they learned that Commencement friends, Scott and Nancy, in Columbus. When back to Gambier this Saturday with her par-
ceremony at a later date, many students found would no longer occur on campus as planned, Ohio enacted a stay-at-home order, however, ents, three year old niece and three sisters to
ways to celebrate their graduation off-campus the family decided to pitch the tent in their her stay at the couple’s house extended indefi- order takeout from the Village Inn and have
with their families. The Collegian spoke with driveway in Chattanooga, Tenn. on the day nitely. Last week, in anticipation of graduation, a picnic and champagne by the Kokosing. Af-
three of these seniors in the week leading up to of graduation instead. They celebrated with a Scott and Nancy ordered a celebratory sign to terwards, she and her niece swam in the river.
the ceremony originally scheduled for this past charcuterie board and drinks while waving to put in their front lawn. “It was freezing in the water, but she loved it,”
Saturday. a few family friends, who had driven by to con- “It was really touching,” Kurra said. “It Witschey said.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic struck, gratulate Beeland and his sister. came in the mail and I was like, ‘What is this?’ Although she sometimes experiences waves
Harper Beeland ’20 had not expected to spend Although he is frustrated to be graduating And then I opened it up and I was like, ‘Oh, so of sadness about missing out on a traditional
graduation day with his parents, as his younger without the company of his friends, Beeland is sweet!’” graduation experience, Witschey is trying to
sister’s high school graduation was scheduled glad to have spent the weekend with his family. On Saturday, Kurra, Scott and Nancy held make the most of the situation. “I think just
for the same date. “I get to have somebody say ‘congratulations’ a small celebration and invited Vahni’s friend graduating now is so weird for all of us across
“My parents called me and [said they didn’t] to me, [which] just makes it feel more fruitful from high school to spend some time with her the country—across the world,” she said.
want to have to make [us] choose,” Beeland that I’m finishing my last semester of college,” on the porch. In addition to FaceTiming her “We’re gonna go down in history at least.”
6 Tuesday, May 19 | kenyoncollegian.com
Retiring professors reflect on time at Kenyon
Above: Writer in Residence P.F. Kluge ’64, Professor of English Jim Carson and Professor of French Mary Jane Cowles. | COURTESY OF KENYON.EDU AND PROFESSORS
JOSEPH POZO Collegian. lectual engagement, admitting that that she invited students of her Myth
STAFF WRITER Even as Kenyon constructs new while Kenyon offered him a “poten- and Meaning of the French Revolution
buildings and looks to the future, Pro- tially deep, possibly life-changing con- (FREN 353) class to share a Napoleon-
As the spring semester comes to fessor Fenigstein believes “the beauty of nection with his students,” many do not ic-style meal in her home.
a close, the Kenyon community bids the campus remains intact.” He offers utilize the resources available to them. Kenyon’s Department of English
farewell to six retiring professors, each his hope that Kenyon students will con- Kluge wishes that more Kenyon stu- will witness a well-known couple retire
of whom has contributed significantly tinue to exercise their creative minds, dents would take advantage of faculty this year as Professor of English Jim
to Kenyon’s vibrant academic environ- both in and outside of the classroom. office hours and the creative and aca- Carson and Associate Professor of Eng-
ment for many years. “[Although] students have improved, demic benefits they provide. lish Deborah Laycock prepare to depart
While these professors’ backgrounds they have become better at studying for Having attended a liberal arts col- from the Hill.
vary widely, they have all been united exams, and much less likely to exercise lege in a town similar to Gambier, Professor Carson’s favorite memo-
by their passions and their fond memo- independent and creative thinking,” Professor of French Mary Jane Cowles ries at Kenyon are those spent working
ries of Kenyon. Fenigstein cautioned. knew what Kenyon had in store for her individually with students, whether ad-
Professor of Psychology Allan Fenig- During his retirement, Fenigstein when she first arrived on the Hill in vising or supervising their honors the-
stein began his career at Kenyon in hopes to continue his research while 1989. Now, as she prepares to depart af- ses. Originally attracted to Kenyon’s
1974, and later worked as a visiting pro- spending his newfound time with fam- ter three decades, Cowles plans to con- beauty, he hopes that Kenyon becomes
fessor in other institutions in various ily and friends. tinue her research in retirement, and to “the village and community that we
countries, including Iceland, Czechia Writer in Residence P.F. Kluge ’64 is travel with her family and improve her once were.”
and England. In his 47 years of work- also retiring this year. Kluge’s relation- oboe skills in her spare time. Wheth- Though Professor Carson will not be
ing at Kenyon, Professor Fenigstein ship with Kenyon began as a first-year er it includes learning new languages, teaching English in Lentz House this
witnessed the College evolve into what student in 1960. In 1987, he returned hiking or getting back into her favorite coming fall, he will still often be found
it is today; an institution that empha- as a professor and the College’s writer sports, Cowles’ retirement will be spent cycling in the Kenyon Athletic Center.
sizes research and scholarship. Looking in residence, going on to publish Alma the same way she led her professional Professor Carson is also looking for-
back on his time on the Hill, Fenigstein Mater in 1993, a work depicting a year life: searching for new information. ward to spending time with Professor
believes that one aspect of Kenyon that at Kenyon. When looking back on her time at Laycock, and his white German Shep-
has always spurred the best in students Kluge hopes that in the years after Kenyon, Cowles remarks that some of herd, Annie.
is the location in which they grow as in- his retirement, dialogue “between pro- her favorite moments weren’t always While Kenyon professors will come
tellectuals. Fenigstein deeply values the fessors and students [will still] be the the easiest ones. One of these moments and go over the years, these profes-
time he has shared with his students essence of a Kenyon experience.” Kluge was her time managing tryouts for As- sors are confident that the Kenyon they
and colleagues, and will miss them will remain in Gambier during his re- sistant Teacher (AT) positions, which knew will continue to be a source of
dearly. tirement, where he hopes to continue she described as “a marathon event.” academic growth and an enabler of cre-
“[My favorite moments at Kenyon reading, writing, gardening and walk- “It was fun to see the students’ cre- ative expression for years to come.
are] the ‘ah hah, I get it!’ moments that ing along the Kokosing River: a contin- ativity at work and spend long sessions
students have shared with me, [and] the uation of his 60 years of life at Kenyon with colleagues. It was hard work, but Professor of History Bruce Kinzer
lifelong friendship of former students, that began back in 1960. we shared a lot of laughter as well,” and Associate Professor of English Deb-
and the collegiality and friendship of Like Fenigstein, Kluge voiced con- Cowles recounted. orah Laycock, who are also retiring this
colleagues,” he wrote in an email to the cern about the level of students’ intel- Cowles also appreciates the time year, could not be reached for comment.
Associate Prof. of English Deborah Laycock, Prof. of Psychology Allan Fenigstein and Prof. of History Bruce Kinzer. | COURTESY OF KENYON.EDU AND PROFESSORS
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