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volume xcv, no. 3 • october 1, 2015 | clarkscarlet.com | the.clark.scarlet
CUSC Faces Internal Struggles
Name Change Aims to Reduce “Disability” Stigma
Council Moves Forward Despite Setbacks
Office of Student Accessibility Services Aligns with Diversability
By Molly Caisse scarlet staff
During the 105th Clark Undergraduate Student Council session on Sept. 15, former Chair of Finance Committee, Dale Watt (’17), proposed the addition of three referenda to the fall 2015 election ballot. The first referendum provided the Clark student body the opportunity to vote on raising the Student Activities Fee (SAF) from $350 to $400, subsequently raising the cost of tuition $50, effective the 2016-17 school year. The SAF produces the funds allocated to clubs by Finance Committee each year. This potential rise prompted a lengthy debate between Council members who viewed the increase as beneficial to clubs and others who raised concerns for students who might experience financial stress as a result. Council members could not come to a unanimous decision regarding the issue, and Watt with-
drew all three proposed referenda. At the following meeting on Sept. 22, Watt resigned as the head of Finance Committee, stating he lacked “the time or the energy” to remain in the position. As chair of Finance Committee last year, Watt was forced to cut the budget of each club by nine percent in light of a lack of sufficient funds to support a twenty percent increase in the amount of clubs on campus. Raising the SAF was part of his continuing efforts to tackle the growing budget problem, which, according to Watt, is something that has become increasingly apparent but ignored by student council for many years. “The issues [Student Council] faces are broader than one or two generations of students,” Watt said. “And it’s hard to see these issues without a long term perspective, but people don’t stick around on Stucontinued on page 5
By Madilyn Jacobsen contributing writer
Over the summer, Clark University’s former Office of Disability Services changed its name to the Office of Student Accessibility Services in an attempt to become a more approachable resource for students. The name change also aimed to better reflect the values of Diversability, a student club that is affiliated with the office. “The Office of Student Accessibility Services embraces an ideology of focusing on students’ abilities and what they can do, even if they have to do it in a different way,” said Emily Tarconish, the office’s director. Tarconish said that by removing “disability” from its title, the office takes on a refreshing mindset, reminding students, faculty and staff that Clark has systems in place working to make
the University accessible to ALL who require assistance. Raechel Segal (‘17), an intern with Tarconish, hopes the change will encourage more students to register with the office. She also feels optimistic that the new name will reduce stigma surrounding the word “disability.” Segal believes that the title change reflects the goals of Diversability. “A lot of people have different abilities and disabilities,” Segal said, defining the term “diversability.” “We have different gifts, different talents, different strengths, and different weaknesses. ‘Diversability,’ the title, reflects that we’re diverse learners, diverse students, and we have a diverse collection of abilities.” For Segal, the first three words that come to mind when she hears “disability” are “gloomy,” “stigma,” and “alone.” On the other hand, the first three words that come to Tarconish’s mind when she hears “diversability” are “empowerment,”
“celebrate,” and “ability.” Together, Diversability and the Office of Student Accessibility Services facilitate a growing conversation surrounding disabilities, while creating a culture of support for students with and without “diversabilites.” Diversability hosts a monthly “Open Dialogue and Dinner” for the Clark community, and hopes to host a speaker series to bring more awareness to the topic. The club also holds weekly meetings to serve as check-ins for students, creating a safe space for them to talk about their weeks, in addition to long-term topics surrounding Clark’s accessibility. Diversability and Student Accessibility Services work in tandem to create a spirit of positivity and change. By shifting away from “disabilities,” the office fosters a more inviting atmosphere. “[Students are] much more able to approach an office that can offer accessibility, as opposed to one that stresses students’ disabilities,” Tarconish said.