By Jonas Buck and Patrick Snyder

When we join the Macalester Community as first years, we are also joining a community with our neighbors in the Macalester Groveland, Union Park, and Merriam Park communities. As Macalester students, though we are generally civically engaged and active citizens, our sense of shared community with our immediate neighbors has waned over the years. Recent housing ordinances that limit the proliferation of student housing and punish hosts of off-campus parties illustrate the disconnect that has developed. Additionally, a recent controversy over the content of Macalester’s sports cheers and individual fan behavior has opened up another rift between students and non-students in the Macalester community. These events show that it is time for the student body to take steps toward improving relations with our neighbors and to critically reflect on our behavior, a process which began at the Wider Community Involvement Forum last Thursday, October 11th. In case you are not familiar with the issue, Macalester has received an increase in complaints over the last three years regarding the behavior of fans at sporting events, prompting the Athletic Department to seek to limit the raciness of cheers. While most complaints address inappropriate individual behavior, many students have felt that the college’s actions have jeopardized traditional Macalester cheers and fostered a climate of uncertainty at athletic events. From this sticky situation has emerged a positive path forward. We are incredibly pleased with the outcome of the Forum, and would like to use this column to outline MCSG’s next steps. Already, the text on the scoreboard has been changed to be less abrasive and to promote a sense of ownership for speech amongst fans. The text now reads, “Please help us promote an inclusive and energetic environment that supports our student-athletes in a positive way. If you hear something offensive, say something. Community Matters.” To address inconsistent and ambiguous communication, we would like to establish a communication point to address issues surrounding athletics between students and administrators. First, we will seek to set up a reporting system so that complaints regarding the content of cheers and behavior in question can be conveyed to the student body. This way, students will have specific information about these complaints. This information will help us reflect on which measures are appropriate for promoting an energetic and inclusive environment at sporting events. Second, we would like to place a non-student-athlete on the Student Athletics Advisory Committee. This campus representative will be charged with promoting our teams and events to the wider student body, coordinating dialogue between students and our administration, and ensuring that the concerns of student-athletes are represented on MCSG. At the Forum, everyone agreed that in order to maintain an inclusive and energetic environment, we must hold one another accountable. This message should be taken to heart. At parties and games alike, if people are disrespecting our community, hold them accountable. Chances are you will not be alone. At the Forum, everyone agreed that in order to maintain an inclusive and energetic environment, we must hold one another accountable. This message should be taken to heart. At parties and games alike, if people are disrespecting our community, hold them accountable. Chances are you will not be alone. refresh –>