Thursday, January 14, 2016

Aloha EWC Residents,

Over the course of this weekend, facilities will be enforcing the kitchen’s outdated “rice cooker only” rule and will be removing all items that are not rice cookers from countertops in both Hale Mānoa and Hale Kuahine.

From my understanding the removed items will be placed in the confiscated cabinets associated with each kitchen and removed by Monday, January 25.

As a precaution, if you are currently storing any appliances or items that are not rice cookers I advise that you place them in your cabinet, room, or storage unit. I understand that this may be an inconvenience to you all, especially those among us who may be away on field study at this time. I share in your feelings of frustration.

To be frank, I am upset that the lines of communication between dormitory residents and the facilities staff has been extremely ineffective. I am also upset that the rules governing our community spaces are antiquated and are in definite need of revision.

Despite these challenges there exists an opportunity to make our home a better place that nurtures and supports community building. I ask that you sign this petition to bring East-West Center facilities and administration to the table with us, the residents, to engage in productive conversations about best practices, resident needs, and facility mandates to make our dormitories, our shared home, the leader in residential halls experience.

An open environment which supports these conversations is a valuable attribute in nurturing lasting relationships among a diverse, global community. The privilege of being able to take up residence at the East-West Center whether or short-term or long-term is an incomparable experience that enables residents (affiliated or not) to connect with each other and begin to create solutions pertaining to a range of issues facing us as a global community today.

I strongly believe that only when we are able to assemble together and talk about people, place, and pedagogy is when cherished qualities that we pride ourselves on as members of the East-West Center ‘ohana such as leadership, collaboration, and expertise can flourish and reach new heights.

If you have any questions or comments, I am more than happy to address them.

Thank you all for your time and I wish you all a great first week of your spring 2016 semester.

Sincerely,

Jonathan Valdez
EWC Student Affiliate / American Studies PhD Student
EWCPA President 2014-2015

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We the undersigned, call for sustained meetings between East-West Center participants, facilities, and administration to discuss creating the best possible living environments in the East-West Center’s dormitories.

Discussion topics would include:

 Community Spaces (lounges, kitchens, bathrooms, lobby)

 Private Quarters (rooms)

 Security

 Communication

 Housing Eligibility (post degree/term limit)

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Questions or comments about this petition?
Please contact:

Erika Kimi Enomoto
EWCA Alumni Scholar / Art History MA Candidate
e-mail: eke@hawaii.edu