Res Life Is Back

We commented a while back on Res Life here. John Leo has taken up the subject with a column on sustainability – “The Worst Campus Codeword.”

Only recently have the goals and institutionalization of the movement become clear. The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability is Higher Education (AASHE) says it “defines sustainability is an inclusive way, encompassing human and ecological health, social justice, secure livelihoods and a better world for all generations.” When the residential life program at the University of Delaware – possibly the most appalling indoctrination program ever to appear on an American campus – was presented, Res Life director Kathleen Kerr packaged it as a sustainability program. Since suspended, possibly only temporarily, the program discussed mandatory sessions for students as “treatments” and insisted that whites acknowledge their role as racists. It also required students to achieve certain competencies including “students will recognize that systemic oppression exists in our society.” At a conference, Kerr explained “the social justice aspects of sustainability education,” referring to “environmental racism,” “domestic partnerships” and “gender equity.”

One day later, the new Res Life program came out at University of Delaware. According to FIRE, the new program continues the practice of wresting education away from the faculty.

With minimal announcement, minimal student input, and hardly six days available for debate, the Faculty Senate at the University of Delaware has finally posted a new Residence Life proposal—and as expected, it is all about indoctrination into a highly politicized agenda. The Faculty Senate should reject it at its May 5th meeting.

The program still tries to change students’ “thoughts, values, beliefs, and actions.”

It is still thoroughly about sustainability. It maintains the RA “conversations.” It maintains highly politicized and highly suspect activities. It is still focused on “learning outcomes.”

One editorial concluded with best idea I’ve seen so far: Res Life should be throwing pizza parties for freshmen instead of trying to educate them politically.

Tagged as: res life, sustainability, univeresity of delaware