April 2, 2015
Father Michael J. Garanzini, S.J., The Student Government of Loyola Chicago has always been honored to work in partnership with university leadership on accomplishing shared goals and initiatives. However, today we find ourselves frustrated by the open letter that was sent to the entire university community. We too, do not recall the last time we were put in a position to send an open letter to you. Yet, with regards to the dismissive nature of your letter, we feel an obligation to stand up in defense of our student body and our university’s shared governance system. The release of your letter came before the Divestment resolution had reached your desk; even former President Bravo had yet to solidify his final decision. We find the timing of this letter particularly concerning - in many ways it appears to be an attempt to influence the democratic process established and upheld by SGLC. In doing so, you disregarded and delegitimized those who gave testimonies at our six-hour meeting, the SGLC Senators who voted on the resolution, and our former SGLC President. Furthermore, the choice to share your thoughts denied faculty and staff the ability to democratically weigh in on the resolution. Declaring, “the University is not interested in taking up divestment,” has forced SGLC into an uphill battle to prove to faculty and staff and all who work under you that this matter should be thoroughly discussed and properly discerned. Your letter stated that resolutions are “ineffective.” However, we find your viewpoint to be contradictory to what we have learned in Loyola’s classrooms. On our own campus, SGLC has passed numerous resolutions that have had both positive and enduring impacts on our student body and our administration. These impacts include the establishment of a Chief Diversity Officer position and the creation of the Damen Student Center. Additionally, we are alarmed that there has been little recognition that this resolution originated in response to a student movement. Resolutions do not simply appear, rather, they are created in response to a momentous and galvanizing action. Historically, movements and their associated resolutions have been persuasive and effective. Resolutions have been responsible for the stemming nuclear proliferation, the sanctioning of governments who have been found guilty of committing human rights violations, and even the establishment of new countries. To us, and to the world, resolutions are indeed influential. SGLC has taken stances on marriage equality, diversity, environmental degradation, and police brutality, all of which are divisive and controversial. Nonetheless, these issues never warranted an open letter. As you prepare to take on a new position, we ask ourselves why you have remained quiet on our authority. While we are unaware of the full intentions of your letter, we will continue to recognize the power of student voice. Despite your efforts to deter our legitimacy, we will continue to write, debate, and pass resolutions because we recognize that they are important to voicing the concerns of students. Regretfully, it will be disheartening to move forward knowing that our purpose is seen as impotent in your eyes. It is with great consideration and concern that we have crafted this letter. When the role and influence of SGLC is belittled, we feel it is imperative to reaffirm the importance of our role as “the voice of the students.” Not only did your letter disregard the work of SGLC - it undermined the power of student leadership and passion within our community. As students, we expect congruence in our administration’s words and transparency in their actions. We expect our opinions to be heard and valued within the governing structures of our university. And above all, we expect to be taken seriously as leaders, learners, and active proponents for justice. As students at this Jesuit Catholic University, we are called to think critically, reflect deeply, and challenge respectfully. We ask the same of our university on every level. As we move beyond this moment of tension, we ask that both students and administrators reflect on the ways in which we work together in mutuality. We ask that through this critical reflection and thoughtful discussion we forge a stronger university community of respect where voices are heard rather than disregarded. Signed, The Student Government of Loyola Chicago