Simon's Rock Opens Center for Equity, Inclusion, and Community

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GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Bard College at Simon's Rock recently announced the opening of the new Center for Equity, Inclusion, and Community on the college's campus on Friday, Sept. 16, 2022.

The Center for Equity, Inclusion, and Community (CEIC) is a campus-wide resource, with a particular focus on serving students of color and affinity student organizations.

The open house took place on Friday, Sept. 16 and students, faculty, and staff were welcomed to tour the CEIC and meet with fellow students and colleagues on campus.

The development of the CEIC was planned and implemented by the current Dean of Equity and Inclusion, Sarah Porter-Liddell, alongside many employees of the Simon's Rock Physical Plant. This was a one and a half years long process to renovate the Owl's Nest building into this new space and resource.
 
The CEIC was created with the need to find inclusion and home, in mind, for students of color and affinity organizations at Simon's Rock. Students can use this space for lounging, programming, conferences, and meetings. Additionally, with the Office of Equity and Inclusion located in this building, all students, faculty, and staff are welcome to the support and resources that the office can provide.
 
"I'm so excited that we have a functional space to offer to our students of color and their affinity organizations, and also to offer as a resource to our entire campus," shared Dean of Equity and Inclusion, Sarah Porter-Liddell.
 
The Center for Equity, Inclusion, and Community is also home to the Office of Equity and Inclusion.
For more information about the Center for Equity, Inclusion, and Community and its resources, please visit here.

 

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Monument Mountain Class of 2024 Told to Be Best Versions of Themselves

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff

Valedictorian Ariel Caine takes a moment before giving their speech on Sunday. Right, salutatorian Madeleine Rocheleau-Holmes looked to her eighth-grade speech for inspiration. See more photos here. 

LENOX, Mass. — Valedictorian Ariel "Ari" Caine struggled to come up with a speech for Monument Mountain Regional High School's class of 2024.  
 
They tried to spin a mystery with the crime as the "death of empathy" especially through the use of social media. But Caine said they didn't believe we are losing our humanity and that teenagers have been more than successful at resisting this pull than they are getting credit for.
 
"Talking about compassion and growth is nothing new for a graduation speech. And as I figured out that that was what I wanted to talk about, I'd made peace with that," they told the 104 graduates at Tanglewood on Sunday afternoon. "You've heard this message a million times and yet there has to be a reason why people still talk about it."
 
Caine acknowledged that there have been vile and nasty words, and even fights, within the halls of Monument, and that they'd done their fair share. 
 
"But I've also seen understanding. I've been complimented by students I barely knew. I've had some of the most encouraging passionate teachers ever. And even if I don't always agree with them, arguments strengthened my resolve," they said. "The discoveries I've made and things that I've learned have shaped me into the person that you see before you and I know the same has happened with all of you."
 
The message of compassion doesn't become less significant because logically everyone knows it's important, Caine said. 
 
"Everyone here will go out today and fail and stumble and make mistakes, sometimes horrible, life-changing ones and we will learn and grow and continue on," they said. "You don't have to do great things or change the world. You have to be the best version of yourself and if that's living a completely normal but compassionate life, that has its own meaning."
 
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