Dear Point Loma Nazarene University Board of Trustees,
This school year has been busy to say the least. Since the first week of the fall semester, we have been working diligently to tell the experiences and perspectives of the campus body fairly and accurately. As members of the press, we not only take on the roles of informing and entertaining our community, but also of becoming watchdogs and advocates for the unheard. Our goal and mission have remained the same — to ensure that what people in power say they do is accurate and that we are doing our part to tell balanced and fair stories.
We seek out stories that have been overlooked; we ask questions that others have avoided and we concern ourselves with the wins, losses, cares and laments of the PLNU community.
There has been much contention on campus since the murder of Conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Since then, we have noticed high tensions and frustration toward the PLNU administration regarding decisions not to initially acknowledge his murder and the rejection of a Turning Point USA chapter.
Here are the areas we’ve noticed where change is needed on PLNU’s campus, and a brief analysis.
“Listening Circles” events
Following the string of political violence tragedies, PLNU has hosted multiple “Listening Circles” events, which The Point has been denied access to with the intent to report. In emails to the student body, informing them of the event, there was no mention of it being a “therapy-like” session, nor that the media cannot attend. Despite revealing that the purpose of our reporting was not to quote students’ thoughts but to document what the event was, we were still denied access to all.
As campus media, access to these kinds of events is crucial. In a time of much uncertainty, where students are looking for spaces to talk and find comfort, it is our mission to report these opportunities so that the community can know PLNU’s efforts to provide these spaces.
In interviewing event participants to report on the events, we concurred that while many appreciate PLNU’s efforts and the space to talk, some wish for less hesitation to address tragedy by name.
Hosts and facilitators for the “Listening Circles” event on immigration last month recognized that students need a space to both express their opinions and listen to others, yet some said they desired more specificity, especially as a university near the border.
Immigration and racial dialogue on campus
PLNU exists and operates in San Diego, a border city. As members of the student press, we have seen how this aspect of our location affects our campus life. We see a gap in institutional conversations surrounding this reality and the way it impacts students. We have reported on the way that immigration-related events have impacted students, but have seen few resources from PLNU to support these students other than the “Listening Circles.”
PLNU students do not just exist within the classrooms or the dorms; they come with stories from all over the world and are affected when there is violence in their homes. We reported on how students from Minnesota were struggling during the ICE raids, and we reported on how students from Mexico were dealing with the death of El Mencho. Throughout our reporting, we saw students grappling with the way they were being affected by traumatic events outside of PLNU, but we failed to see much support or education from their peers or the institution.
We understand that it can be viewed as a politically charged move to say or do anything about immigration education, but what we advocate for is more educational opportunities. We have seen a passivity that students say has left them feeling uneducated about what is happening in our city and our country.
Club constitution and clarity on the Turning Point USA chapter
PLNU’s rejection of a Turning Point USA chapter after Kirk’s death made national news, and an Instagram account was started (and recently deleted) in an attempt to start a recall petition of ASB officers. ASB was put in the hot seat. Is there room for a solution where ASB still has the authority to make these decisions, but is not alone in facing harsh repercussions?
We recognize and acknowledge President Kerry Fulcher’s email announcement from February that PLNU’s Associated Student Body and PLNU administration will be reviewing the club constitution to make changes. Following the denial of a Turning Point USA chapter, we noticed a need for clarity on areas such as signage hung on campus and how clubs need to align with PLNU’s mission statement.
In September, we reported and cleared up a miscommunication between PLNU administration and the student body regarding a vigil for Charlie Kirk that was removed temporarily for the owner to relocate it with approval, following university protocol. This prompted a need for clarity for the student body to know how signage works on campus.
Board of Trustees, we, members of The Point Editorial Staff, politely ask that you reconsider and refine details in the university’s decision-making process as you meet on campus this week. We are encouraged by the efforts made to provide a space for the community to reflect during these contentious times, but there is a greater need for attention. Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Sydney Brammer, Co-Editor-in-Chief
Grace Chaves, Co-Editor-in-Chief
Zoey Peters, Opinion Editor
Ava Bailey-Klugh, News Editor
Cade Michaelson, Sports Editor
Ava Bailey-Klugh