A Poppycock Pop-up!

It's widely accepted that Academia, for purposes of this discussion, in the form of small, elite, highly selective private colleges, plays a leadership role in defining correctness in all things political; justice in every stitch of our social fabric; variations of expression and companion language in all things gender related; and most of all, providing safe spaces and places of refuge to all who set foot on their campuses.

In the latter case, we've actually seen a sign marking a "Place of Refuge" in the Moulton Union on the Bowdoin Campus.

Inspired by these realities, we went out on a limb and submitted a brief Letter to the Editor to The Ostrich.  Surprise of surprises, they published it today.



The text of the letter is as follows:

Bowdoin College, here in Brunswick, is surely among the wealthiest institutions in Maine. Its capital assets, combined with its endowment, total well over $2 billion, and conversely, its non-profit status subjects it to very little in tax obligations at all levels. 

Bowdoin prizes its stature as a paragon of diversity, inclusion and multiculturalism. It seeks to infuse its students with a lifelong commitment to advancing the common good and a devotion to service to others. 

Its facilities are expansive and ever-growing. Housing, food services, field houses, gyms, ice rinks, common/social spaces, museums, arts rehearsal spaces (remember Longfellow Elementary?) and others too many to list define the luxurious accommodations on campus. Medical and counseling services are part of the basics on campus, as are focus centers serving various minorities. 

Given the above, shouldn’t it be expected that Bowdoin will publicly step up to the challenge of welcoming and providing for the needs of refugees and asylum seekers now arriving in Maine from other U. S. locations? The College has the expressed mission, the financial wherewithal, and the spacious and varied facilities to take this challenge on with grace and aplomb.

In the same vein, Colby and Bates should be stepping up to the pressing needs as well. Perhaps the office of Governor Janet Mills could call upon leaders of all three to inspire them, seek their help, and convince them that others need them like never before. Wouldn’t it be something to see these three historic, mission-oriented colleges practice serving the common good as they have long preached?

We're delighted they consider us a legitimate purveyor of local journalism.  Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks?