I minored through the Sociology department (Women's Studies), which was critical for personal and academic development. Particularly within a largely homogenous community of Christian/wealthy/white students, the Sociology department provides a much needed diverse education. Particularly given the current political climate, it is absolutely necessary to keep the Sociology department intact and thriving at Seattle Pacific University - do not cut faculty positions from this department.
H
Hannah Martin
9 years ago
Beyond just demanding that SPU amend its current hiring process and practices in this specific instance (which is significant and necessary for sustained movement with practical and tangible overflow), this petition articulates an expansive admonition on the necessity for a complete reorientation on a larger scale. If SPU truly desires to "engage the culture and change the world," it cannot continue to hold conversations on the work, ideas, and lives of POC who have done most of the work (with none of the credit) while refusing to to even "invite them" into the conversation by hiring them (AND, SPU should not think itself a hegemonic structure that "invites" diverse voices in, but recognize that the conversation was not its own to begin with). Unless it wants to continue its practices of colonization, cooption, and conciliatory christian platitudes, SPU must address their current discrepancies in stated values and intended actions.
A
Austin Harris
9 years ago
Diversity is a future.
S
Sarah Lewis
9 years ago
Featured
As a third-year undergraduate student, I've heard SPU faculty over the last three years make specific claims about wanting to increase the number of faculty who are persons of color, and it's disappointing to see that that resolve die a fairly decisive death once the annual budget enters the conversation. SPU, put your money where your mouth is.
E
Emily James
9 years ago
This is my first year here at SPU as a Sociology major transfer student. One of the reasons why I fell in love with SPU was its vision of "Engage the culture, Change the world." I was looking forward to the possibility of taking Sociology in Medicine and Sociology of Law, and was disappointed that those two will not be offered next year. I plan to graduate Spring 2018 and I would hate to leave here, not satisfied with the opportunities I could be getting with courses such as these could give me. And if the school is not following in line with what their vision is by not hiring two candidates with enriched backgrounds, it's a disappointment.
J
Jasmine Smith
9 years ago
If my intended major was sociology or any of the majors that would be significantly impacted by the cut, and especially if I wanted to go to medical school, I would absolutely transfer to the University of Washington, if the cut were to take place. Why in the world would I stay at a school that is much more expensive than a state school and will raise the price of pretty much everything next year and would cut a significant part of a department that is critical to my major and career outcome? Coupled with the fact that SPU will raise their fees for everything next year, and wants to make cuts to an already small but important department of the school. This decision is absolutely ridiculous. To all students who would be impacted by the cut, and the cut happens, just leave the school and go to a less expensive school that will actually care about your major and career outcomes.
K
Kyndra Williams
9 years ago
I am a senior, graduating in the Spring (2017). I am also a Sociology Major.
Cutting a faculty line in the sociology department is unacceptable. If both candidates are not hired, I will be a very disappointed alumni.
The sociology courses provided by the department are classes students of a wide variety of majors take. In my experience I have students from majors/minors in sociology, communications, psychology, nursing, political science, women's studies, reconciliation, theology, etc.
Cutting a faculty line will significantly reduce the number of sociology elective classes available to all of these students. These elective classes are what make a huge impact on students for they focus in and go in-depth on topics that the students care about. These classes give all students tools that they will be able to use in all of their future careers, because sociology is the study of social institutions and people, which everyone is a part of.
By cutting this faculty line SPU will be going back on its promise to work towards creating/hiring a more racially/ethnically diverse faculty. People of Color are unrepresented at this institution and this needs to change. SPU needs to show their commitment to hiring more faculty of color. Student of color retention is low for a variety of reasons, including the lack of representation in the faculty and not having mentors with similar life experiences. Being unable to relate to faculty, can make learning extremely difficult. For the minority groups on campus, do not lose out on this chance to hire two new faculty of color.
Both of the candidates are very qualified and have very specific qualities and experiences and knowledge SPU can greatly use. These new potential professors will be critical to SPU sociology department and also SPU as a whole.
The students acknowledge the financial situation SPU is in currently, however we are your customers and want to see that our money is going to the causes and needs we demand. Respe
M
Mackenzie Russell
9 years ago
Featured
As a student of Seattle Pacific and specifically as a Sociology major, I believe it is imperative that there is an actual effort to bring in faculty of color if we want to fulfill our mission statement and provide students with the prestigious and diverse education they deserve and expect.
N
Nicole Garcia
9 years ago
In solidarity. So important!
J
Jacquelyn Billups
9 years ago
I have always loved SPU, ever since I was 15. However I do not like that SPU's version of "engaging the culture" shows superiority to very few cultures.
M
Melody Joy Fields
9 years ago
Featured
As an alumna and proud member of SPU's global community, I must agree the students who initiated this petition have made many convincing arguments for maintaining both sociology faculty positions. In an institution so dedicated to teaching, these full-time positions are crucial to SPU's mission. I urge the administration to reconsider their decision.
R
Rebecca Wolfe
9 years ago
I graduated from the SPU Sociology program. It has enormously influenced the person that I am today. We need more voices, more attention, and more funding in this department.
A
Anonymous
9 years ago
Having faulty of color is necessary, and we can not claim to have diversity if the people who we are learning from are racially and otherwise homogeneous.
D
David
9 years ago
class of '15
J
Jamie Spiro
9 years ago
Alumni, 2006
S
Stephanie Miller
9 years ago
Featured
As an alumn who is now working in social work, I can not understate how crucial it is that future helpers/sociologists learn from professors of color. In a white supremacist society, we need voices to challenge white narratives and teach from a non-white place.
Come on SPU, think long-term, don't let yourself get bogged down by a mere fiscal year challenge. Stand up and do what is good.
A
Anonymous
9 years ago
Grad alum 2012
E
Emelia Asa
9 years ago
（╹◡╹）
A
Anonymous
9 years ago
This is a poor decision by administration. Cutting a department or faculty line when you have great candidates who are ready and willing is so sad. Especially when those candidates will add such enrichment to the school. SPU grad 2014.
Yes! Yes yes yes yes!
I minored through the Sociology department (Women's Studies), which was critical for personal and academic development. Particularly within a largely homogenous community of Christian/wealthy/white students, the Sociology department provides a much needed diverse education. Particularly given the current political climate, it is absolutely necessary to keep the Sociology department intact and thriving at Seattle Pacific University - do not cut faculty positions from this department.
Beyond just demanding that SPU amend its current hiring process and practices in this specific instance (which is significant and necessary for sustained movement with practical and tangible overflow), this petition articulates an expansive admonition on the necessity for a complete reorientation on a larger scale. If SPU truly desires to "engage the culture and change the world," it cannot continue to hold conversations on the work, ideas, and lives of POC who have done most of the work (with none of the credit) while refusing to to even "invite them" into the conversation by hiring them (AND, SPU should not think itself a hegemonic structure that "invites" diverse voices in, but recognize that the conversation was not its own to begin with). Unless it wants to continue its practices of colonization, cooption, and conciliatory christian platitudes, SPU must address their current discrepancies in stated values and intended actions.
Diversity is a future.
As a third-year undergraduate student, I've heard SPU faculty over the last three years make specific claims about wanting to increase the number of faculty who are persons of color, and it's disappointing to see that that resolve die a fairly decisive death once the annual budget enters the conversation. SPU, put your money where your mouth is.
This is my first year here at SPU as a Sociology major transfer student. One of the reasons why I fell in love with SPU was its vision of "Engage the culture, Change the world." I was looking forward to the possibility of taking Sociology in Medicine and Sociology of Law, and was disappointed that those two will not be offered next year. I plan to graduate Spring 2018 and I would hate to leave here, not satisfied with the opportunities I could be getting with courses such as these could give me. And if the school is not following in line with what their vision is by not hiring two candidates with enriched backgrounds, it's a disappointment.
If my intended major was sociology or any of the majors that would be significantly impacted by the cut, and especially if I wanted to go to medical school, I would absolutely transfer to the University of Washington, if the cut were to take place. Why in the world would I stay at a school that is much more expensive than a state school and will raise the price of pretty much everything next year and would cut a significant part of a department that is critical to my major and career outcome? Coupled with the fact that SPU will raise their fees for everything next year, and wants to make cuts to an already small but important department of the school. This decision is absolutely ridiculous. To all students who would be impacted by the cut, and the cut happens, just leave the school and go to a less expensive school that will actually care about your major and career outcomes.
I am a senior, graduating in the Spring (2017). I am also a Sociology Major. Cutting a faculty line in the sociology department is unacceptable. If both candidates are not hired, I will be a very disappointed alumni. The sociology courses provided by the department are classes students of a wide variety of majors take. In my experience I have students from majors/minors in sociology, communications, psychology, nursing, political science, women's studies, reconciliation, theology, etc. Cutting a faculty line will significantly reduce the number of sociology elective classes available to all of these students. These elective classes are what make a huge impact on students for they focus in and go in-depth on topics that the students care about. These classes give all students tools that they will be able to use in all of their future careers, because sociology is the study of social institutions and people, which everyone is a part of. By cutting this faculty line SPU will be going back on its promise to work towards creating/hiring a more racially/ethnically diverse faculty. People of Color are unrepresented at this institution and this needs to change. SPU needs to show their commitment to hiring more faculty of color. Student of color retention is low for a variety of reasons, including the lack of representation in the faculty and not having mentors with similar life experiences. Being unable to relate to faculty, can make learning extremely difficult. For the minority groups on campus, do not lose out on this chance to hire two new faculty of color. Both of the candidates are very qualified and have very specific qualities and experiences and knowledge SPU can greatly use. These new potential professors will be critical to SPU sociology department and also SPU as a whole. The students acknowledge the financial situation SPU is in currently, however we are your customers and want to see that our money is going to the causes and needs we demand. Respe
As a student of Seattle Pacific and specifically as a Sociology major, I believe it is imperative that there is an actual effort to bring in faculty of color if we want to fulfill our mission statement and provide students with the prestigious and diverse education they deserve and expect.
In solidarity. So important!
I have always loved SPU, ever since I was 15. However I do not like that SPU's version of "engaging the culture" shows superiority to very few cultures.
As an alumna and proud member of SPU's global community, I must agree the students who initiated this petition have made many convincing arguments for maintaining both sociology faculty positions. In an institution so dedicated to teaching, these full-time positions are crucial to SPU's mission. I urge the administration to reconsider their decision.
I graduated from the SPU Sociology program. It has enormously influenced the person that I am today. We need more voices, more attention, and more funding in this department.
Having faulty of color is necessary, and we can not claim to have diversity if the people who we are learning from are racially and otherwise homogeneous.
class of '15
Alumni, 2006
As an alumn who is now working in social work, I can not understate how crucial it is that future helpers/sociologists learn from professors of color. In a white supremacist society, we need voices to challenge white narratives and teach from a non-white place. Come on SPU, think long-term, don't let yourself get bogged down by a mere fiscal year challenge. Stand up and do what is good.
Grad alum 2012
（╹◡╹）
This is a poor decision by administration. Cutting a department or faculty line when you have great candidates who are ready and willing is so sad. Especially when those candidates will add such enrichment to the school. SPU grad 2014.