Since the editorial board is spread around the country right now, I’ll use the new Maroon blog system to personally opine on the following topic: avoiding conflict.

On what was the first not-so-nice day in the city in regard to weather, those students and faculty members who marched to the Broadway Campus this morning were faced with a not-so-nice atmosphere.

Three or four University Police officers stood at the steps and on the porch of Greenville Hall, arms crossed and stone faced while Physical Plant workers pointed several trustees from the door of their car to a Greenville back door to avoid the crowd.

The crowd gathered on the lawn of Greenville Hall was peaceful. There were no extreme demonstrations or any direct personal attacks, yet what seemed to be the majority of the Board of Trustees avoided those they were affecting with their vote.

Why?

There was no doubt as to the nature of the protest. In fact, signs around campus promoted this peaceful event. So why then could the Board not face those who showed up to protest the changes?

The very least those 35 members could have done was look the students and faculty in the eye. Scurrying into a back door to vote on a process, which has already been accused of being done improperly and somewhat secretively, doesn’t help credibility.

At least some of the members made their presence known, including Father Wildes, Walter Harris, Frances Smith, the Rev. Lawrence Moore, S.J., the Rev. John Callahan, S.J. (who later went outside to speak with local media and was applauded by the crowd), Arthur Davis, Rita Benson LeBlanc and William Guste.

Whispered comments about these board members weren’t necessarily anything to quote here. But to those who faced the students and faculty, saw the signs and heard the chants, at least you saved some face and didn’t hide from those who will feel the effects of your vote by showing your face.

-Daniel MonteverdeEditor, The Maroon