Signatures 106 total
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1
Name: Elizabeth Baugh on Jun 1, 2010Comments:Flag
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Name: Benjamin Cooper on Jun 1, 2010Comments:Flag
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Name: Anna Witte on Jun 1, 2010Comments:Flag
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Name: Dana Schmitt on Jun 1, 2010Comments:Flag
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Name: Melissa Bayci on Jun 1, 2010Comments:Flag
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Name: Lindsey Scarlett on Jun 1, 2010Comments: The building blocks program has been a sacred tradition at Kalamazoo College for many years, and the cancellation of the class would not only damage the schools reputation in the community, but would also cause many alumni & future alumni (myself included) to reconsider donating any money to the college in the future. Regardless of how long ago this decision was made, the politics behind the decision to cancel the course are unclear and clearly underhanded, and the explanations given by the AnSoc department (Kiran Cunningham) and the Provost (Mickey McDonald) are completely contrived, illogical and unnecessary. The College doesn't spend ANY money on the Building Blocks course.. all of the grants given to fund the building blocks community improvement projects are given by the city of Kalamazoo, and are in no way related to the financial resources of the college. Kim Cummings is retired and is teaching the course unpaid because of his passion for cultivating students interest in reaching out to the greater global community & helping those less fortunate than ourselves. Furthermore, the administration has generally not shown a significant interest in taking the students suggestions and complaints into consideration, and unfortunately, this has been a trend since my freshman year here at K College almost 4 years ago. I am very disappointed and utterly astounded at the selfish & inconsiderate nature of the decision to cancel Building Blocks. At one time, I respected and trusted a few particular faculty members who are responsible for making this hurtful decision, but recently i've been sad upon discovering that the best interest of the students & the idea of "popping the K bubble" are not actually priorities to these individuals. Prospective students will find out the truth about the selfish turn this institution has taken, and if the decision to cancel Building Blocks is finalized, the consequences for the future of the college will be grave.Flag
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7
Name: Clarissa Lindley on Jun 1, 2010Comments:Flag
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Name: Jes Kramer on Jun 1, 2010Comments:Flag
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Name: Madison Baxter on Jun 1, 2010Comments:Flag
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Name: Kathleen Kruse on Jun 1, 2010Comments:Flag
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Name: Patricia Garay on Jun 1, 2010Comments:Flag
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Name: Shannon Isaacs on Jun 1, 2010Comments:Flag
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Name: Alyssa McNamara on Jun 1, 2010Comments:Flag
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Name: Anna Cooperrider on Jun 1, 2010Comments:Flag
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Name: Alyssa Rickard on Jun 1, 2010Comments:Flag
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Name: Allison Thompson on Jun 1, 2010Comments:Flag
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Name: Rachel Smith on Jun 1, 2010Comments:Flag
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Name: Gary Wager on Jun 1, 2010Comments: My experience as a citizen/participant in the Building Blocks program, through the Oakwood Neighborhood Association, lead to nearly eight years on it's board of directors. Dr. Cummings, the faculty and students involved in the program, have all had positive impact on residents and neighborhoods of Kalamazoo. This community outreach serves to integrate Kalamazoo College with Kalamazoo, and (IMHO) should be continued annually indefinitely.Flag
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Name: Rhonda Catt on Jun 1, 2010Comments:Flag
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Name: Michael Markel Jr. on Jun 1, 2010Comments: President of Oakwood Neighborhood Association and participant in Building Blocks for three yearsFlag
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Name: Valerie Cochran on Jun 1, 2010Comments: I never participated but I saw the powerful impact this program had on the neighborhoods it touched. I remembered the program years later and spoke with community leaders in my new city about starting something similar. Unfortunately, the economy was just starting to slide but I hold out hope for the future that something may get started as the economy turns around. It's important to keep training future leaders in a social improvement method that works. Many international institutions use this kind of organizing to effect radical, long-lasting improvement on the ground where it is needed most. Why not K?Flag
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Name: Jacob Stevens Corvidae on Jun 1, 2010Comments: While I might have worded things a little differently, I'll happily back this petition. I've talked with Kim about this program over previous years and talked to students who've participated in it. It sounds like a really useful introduction to hands-on experience that marries theoretical content with direct real-life experience. It seems like a natural for K.Flag
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Name: Thomas Cleveland on Jun 1, 2010Comments: Building Blocks is a very good and important part of the neighborhoods.Flag
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Name: Ellen Tober on Jun 1, 2010Comments: As both a resident of Oakwood neighborhood and a new board member of the Oakwood Neighborhood Association, I can see that Building Blocks has proven itself as a program valuable to the community and all people involved. This type of program is a valuable tool to connect students with the surrounding communities. The Oakwood Neighborhood Association has invested time in organizing and supporting this program, and it would be disappointing to see that established value lost due to cancellation of the course. I ask you to please retain the Neighborhood Organizing Practicum course in the curriculum. Sincerely, Ellen ToberFlag
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Name: Hannah Guilford on Jun 1, 2010Comments:Flag
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Name: Eva Schmidt on Jun 1, 2010Comments:Flag
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Name: Erin Moody on Jun 1, 2010Comments:Flag
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Name: Chris Dragisic on Jun 1, 2010Comments:Flag
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Name: Adam Marshall on Jun 1, 2010Comments:Flag
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Name: Lauren Mitchell on Jun 1, 2010Comments:Flag
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Name: Janelle Davis on Jun 1, 2010Comments:Flag
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32
Name: Joseph Costello on Jun 1, 2010Comments: I do not understand the rationale for even opening up a discussion on whether or not to keep this program. Civic minded programs are always beneficial to engaging people especially those that are disenfranchised. If this program is washed out then people that are lacking resources may sit idle with little idea of what do to about it. Keep community efforts thriving and find a way, I'm sure the majority of residents in town would echo my sentiments.Flag
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Name: Dane Macdonell on Jun 1, 2010Comments:Flag
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Name: Emily Murphy on Jun 1, 2010Comments:Flag
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Name: Allie J. on Jun 1, 2010Comments:Flag
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Name: Hannah Goodchild on Jun 1, 2010Comments:Flag
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Name: Toni Skalican on Jun 1, 2010Comments: Building Blocks has had the strongest impact on me of any course during my time at Kalamazoo College, leading me into a fulfilling college career of service-learning an anticipated career path in community organizing and urban revitalization. If you choose to cancel this course, it will be to the detriment of both future K College students and the future of the Kalamazoo community.Flag
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38
Name: Elinor Epperson on Jun 2, 2010Comments:Flag
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39
Name: Bree Bennett on Jun 2, 2010Comments:Flag
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Name: Scott Beck on Jun 2, 2010Comments:Flag
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Name: Elana Tornquist on Jun 2, 2010Comments: Participating in the Building Blocks program is responsible for me securing employment after graduation in 2009. Without the leadership experience, interpersonal skills, and knowledge of how to effectively pursue improbable positive outcomes, I would not have had the gumption or credibility to land the "dream job" I currently enjoy.Flag
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42
Name: Katie Keegan on Jun 2, 2010Comments:Flag
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Name: Sarah Kolchinsky on Jun 2, 2010Comments:Flag
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Name: Caryn Hassell on Jun 2, 2010Comments:Flag
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Name: Laura Sinche on Jun 2, 2010Comments: Building Blocks was one of the most formative experiences in my years at K. It was largely what inspired me to focus on urban ministry during my time at seminary. I am now a campus pastor in Baltimore and am eager to get my students involved in their local neighborhoods. I better understand neighborhood dynamics and how to be a better and more engaged citizen as a result of this class and I hope that it continues to be a part of the K curriculum. My time at K would have been much less without the opportunity to be a part of this class.Flag
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Name: Jessica McInchak on Jun 2, 2010Comments:Flag
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Name: Noah Saperstein on Jun 2, 2010Comments:Flag
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Name: Cheryl Lord on Jun 2, 2010Comments: The community has come to depend upon this course and its energetic and committed students to help rebuild each block of its six inner city neighborhoods.Flag
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Name: Erin Thompson on Jun 2, 2010Comments:Flag
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Name: Justin Leatherwood on Jun 2, 2010Comments:Flag