Gender issues have been a big problem on Goshen College’s campus this year. Students have spoken a lot about how power dynamics have been more evident in every day interactions, like catcalling, and on social media, like Yik Yak. The issues have been big enough that Student Senate is talking about them, the administration is concerned and a group of students formed to discuss future actions. Monday there was a bonus convocation and a panel talk-back session, put on by this group of students, to bring together the disjointed conversations about gender happening around campus, and then pull them together...

By Elizabeth Franks-North • November 6, 2014 • Features

It’s important to talk about feminism and sexism in comfortable settings. Generally, and rightfully so, people are more comfortable talking about these ideas within their gender groups. There is a certain kind of solidarity to being able to speak about what bothers you or concerns you to those who go through similar experiences. You do not have to explain yourself as much and empathy is easier to come by. When the other group is present, it is easier to be defensive about actions for which you or your group feels blamed. This makes for less productive conversations and allows more...

By Elizabeth Franks-North • October 30, 2014 • Features

Five states will now allow same-sex marriage. Appeals will stand as they are, as the Supreme Court ignored appeals to court rulings in Indiana, Oklahoma, Utah, Virginia and Wisconsin. That’s right—in Indiana. On June 25, U.S. District Court Judge Richard Young declared that Indiana’s ban on same-sex marriage violated the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th amendment. The Supreme Court upheld the ruling by denying a hearing of the appeals by Indiana and the four other states. What’s on most people’s mind is probably that, though we are a private school, Goshen College resides within the state of Indiana and...

By Elizabeth Franks-North • October 8, 2014 • Features

Feminism has been in the international news and on our campus recently. For world news, Emma Watson spoke to the UN about the He for She campaign, a solidarity movement for gender equality. On our campus, Sam Foxvog, a senior, wrote a piece about male gender liberation in response to “Compulsive Masculinity,” recited and written by Ammon Allen-Doucot, a junior. Though advocates on every side are examining different avenues and using different tactics, I believe all of these actions have a similar theme: recognition of a gendered society. Whether one addresses the inequality females experience, the expectations of a singular...

By Elizabeth Franks-North • October 1, 2014 • Features

This past weekend was one full of activism both close to home and almost 700 miles away. People in both places demonstrated passion for climate action and those impacted by it. Activism, in any place and for any issue, is difficult. You make yourself vulnerable, you claim a truth and you call attention to yourself from peers, community members and the press. Actively demonstrating or fighting for your beliefs takes courage and passion, and it can be argued that there is no one right way to do it. This vulnerability is common at Goshen College because of how many students...

By Elizabeth Franks-North • September 24, 2014 • Features

Last year, Rebecca Hernandez, former associate dean of intercultural development and educational partnerships, told a group of student leaders that they needed to step outside of their comfort zone. Hernandez referenced Martin Luther King Jr.’s idea of a “world house.” This house is something that we’ve all inherited as Goshen students and that we must take care of as we find ways to live together in peace. I believe Hernandez reminded us of this idea because of the obvious divisions between students at Goshen. Some divides are because of majors and disciplines. Some are because of age, as apartments and...

By Elizabeth Franks-North • September 17, 2014 • Features

On Monday, the deadline for student senate, at-large representative applications came and went. Five candidates turned in applications for the five available spots. Student Senate serves as a link between students and administration by taking initiatives to add transparency about their meetings and the board meetings, as the minutes are posted online for the student body. There are initiatives in progress and more will be proposed this academic year. If we feel that we aren’t being adequately represented, what should we do? One simple step is to run for at-large representative. The deadline has been extended to today, Sept. 11,...

By Elizabeth Franks-North • September 10, 2014 • Features

The evidence of change is all around us as the new academic year begins. Returning students may be able to notice it easier than first-years, but first-years, trust and believe that Simon the Squirrel is a new feature on campus. Perhaps it won’t be acknowledged as the most significant shift on campus, but the recent move of convocation and chapel to the Wednesday time slot and the accompanying change in requirements will have an affect the students of this campus. There are few academic activities, if any, that serve to bring together our campus community across classes and disciplines. Although...

By Elizabeth Franks-North • September 4, 2014 • Features

The Record will not publish again until next fall; but still, news will continue to pop up on campus until then. However, there are at least five unfolding stories that I believe the Goshen College community needs to continue following, even when our weekly newspaper takes a summer sabbatical. 1. It seems likely that our campus can expect to see Mennonite Education Agency’s final decision about whether Jim Brennman will continue into a third four-year term as president. No official date has been set for the announcement, but I believe we expect we will hear something along these lines before...

By Quinn Brenneke • April 17, 2014 • Features

To the women of Goshen College who participated in any part of Goshen Monologues, thank you. I believe that our campus is better for what happened on the Umble Center stage on Tuesday night. It inspired a campus. Whoever missed the Goshen Monologues performance (and based upon how packed the theater was, many did not), missed a night of women speaking up. They were funny, thought provoking, deeply personal and anonymous. Any of the women sitting near me in Umble Center that night could have been the owner of one of the stories performed on stage. Perhaps that is why...

By Quinn Brenneke • April 9, 2014 • Features

Several hundred mostly Black protesters gathered around the state capitol building in Tallahassee, Fla. this week, according to National Public Radio. Their songs, reminiscent of the civil rights era, “We Will Not Be Moved” and “We Shall Overcome,” rang above their marching. Their protest? Repeal Florida’s ‘Stand Your Ground’ law. Groups like this have rallied since the death of Treyvon Martin, an unarmed Black teenager, who shot and killed by George Zimmerman. Under the Stand Your Ground law, which gives individuals the right to use deadly force as self-defense, Zimmerman was later acquitted of  murder charges. Tallahassee might not have...

By Quinn Brenneke • April 9, 2014 • Features

I signed GC Open Letter because I believe an inclusive hiring policy is right for Goshen College. Homosexuality is a controversial topic in Christian circles these days, Mennonite circles notwithstaanding. So it was only a matter of time before the topic came up on this Mennonite campus. As a liberal arts campus populated by critical thinkers, and as a Christian campus packed with compassionate peacemakers, it almost feels natural to entertain such a topic. However, until professors and other faculty are allowed to openly share their experiences in same-sex relationships, I believe we fall short of being those things. I...

By Quinn Brenneke • April 3, 2014 • Features

What’s so great about Goshen College anyway? Often I hear people on campus talking about how we are “desperate” for students, as if we’re practically begging people to come to college here. I suspect that some people even believe that we have to “bribe” high school students to enroll. Or else, what? They won’t come? Yes, our enrollment numbers are not at a sustainable level right now. The Record published an article this week that reports that although GC’s long-term financial health is strong with a robust endowment, it still faces a short-term problem of not having enough tuition revenue...

By Quinn Brenneke • March 19, 2014 • Features

Prrr, hey baby! is not a good way to introduce yourself to someone you don’t know. Unfortunately, many women on campus know firsthand that not everyone knows that. Goshen Monologues, a storytelling project that features the experiences of women at Goshen College, fulfills a long-needed venue for silenced female voices. It is a symbol of progress for our community. My first experience with catcalling came last summer during my internship in Philadelphia when a man called to one of my female colleagues as we walked toward our office building on the sidewalk. The man’s audacity came as a shock to...

By Quinn Brenneke • March 5, 2014 • Features

Abby Deaton packed a punch in her winning speech about Goshen College hiring policies – she is obviously ready for action. Four other students shared equally pressing issues challenging for a peaceful world on Tuesday night at the C. Henry Smith Peace Oratorical Contest. Youth incarceration, Christian feminism, femicide and media propaganda were among the topics covered – but the judges chose only one winner. It’s hard to remember that they gave first place to an orator and not to an issue (it was a speech contest, after all, not a competition for the most important issue). The truth is...

By Quinn Brenneke • February 20, 2014 • Features