On Monday, October 9, President Farvardin sent a school-wide email that I found very disappointing. It was sent as a timely response to the recently declared war in Israel, urging students to “foster kindness, support and appreciation for others and to model inclusivity and compassion” and directing them towards available mental health support resources. While the administration has made it clear their intention to remain apolitical, the message fell short in fully acknowledging the effect these events are having on our Stevens community. Additionally, the discussion of their 10-year “strategic plan” was incredibly ill-timed. For me, this is deeply personal as I am currently concerned for the safety of my entire extended family in Israel. Speaking personally, not as an eBoard member of Stevens Hillel or The Stute, I find the support of a community incredibly important and meaningful in times like this.
In such times of crisis, what we need from the school is more than a mere acknowledgment of the situation. The school’s response should not just revolve around the resources available or the long-term goals of the university; it’s about acknowledging the immediate pain and distress that students are feeling and validating the depth of our experiences. It’s about fostering an environment where open dialogue and understanding can occur, regardless of the political or ideological stance one holds, and recognizing that this situation is affecting individuals within our community on a deep, personal level.
It’s important to recognize that there are bipartisan issues where taking a stance might not be necessary. The frustration exists not because the school has taken a specific stance, but because the immediate concerns of the students are not being adequately addressed. In such situations, it’s crucial for the administration to actively listen to the concerns of students, validate their experiences, and provide avenues for meaningful discussions.
No matter whether this is deemed political, humanitarian, or something else entirely, what matters most is that within the Stevens community, there are people who are hurting right now and need acknowledgment, empathy, and compassion.
