ON MARCH 27th and 28th, Washington & Lee law students stood up and voiced our shared community values. We find it intolerable that the openly gay community does not feel safe at our institution and we are not alone. We were witnesses to a tremendous outpouring of support. With that support, two third-year law students held a meeting for student leaders from all groups, liberal and conservative alike. The meeting resulted in the formation of a new student organization, Students for an Open and United Law School (SOULS). Our mission is to promote respect and accountability while recognizing the inherent worth of each student's unique background and culture.
First, we think it wise to take a few moments to address our administration's response to the events chronicled in your article entitled "Students criticize W&L admin[istration] in wake of reported attacks." Immediately after hearing about the recently reported incident, our administration met to discuss proposed solutions. On Monday, the administration utilized the complaint resolution and disciplinary procedures already in place to deal with inappropriate student behavior. Also on Monday, the administration held a town hall meeting for all to discuss the climate of the law school. On Tuesday, our University President, Law Dean, and members of student government circulated letters affirming Washington & Lee's stance on discriminatory behavior. Also on Tuesday, our students, of their own accord, bound together in a cohesive whole to address our shared social values as detailed in this letter.
As law students, we have great respect for the Constitution and procedural safeguards detailed within it. As such, we believe we cannot adjudicate the guilt of allegedly offending parties absent the correct procedure. Due Process mandates that we act carefully and deliberately. At the same time, we believe steps can be taken to address the law school community as a whole, and we are doing so now.
While many students would like to find exclusive fault with the administration for creating an environment that allows such behavior, we do not believe that the administration should bear this burden. Numerous procedures are in place to deal with incidents of violence and discrimination such as the Executive Committee, Student Faculty Hearing Board (SFHB), and Confidential and Impartial Resolution Resources (CAIR). Both the Executive Committee and the SFHB have the disciplinary power to expel a student for conduct. Responsive measures such as these, however, are not enough. We should strive to create a community where this type of behavior does not occur, thus rendering responsive systems moot. Openly gay and minority students should not only feel safe, but comfortable and happy in their learning environment. As law students and future leaders of our communities, we must take ownership and responsibility for the community in which we live.
In a show of support to our fellow students, students wore jeans and black t-shirts to school on March 28th. A sea of black coursed through Sydney Lewis Hall; students, faculty, staff, and administrators all donned the same outfit. Over a quarter of our students signed a standard of conduct pledge in a single day. Our problem lies with a few. The solution, however, belongs to the many. The proper measure of a community is made not by the regrettable actions of individuals, but rather by the response with which the community meets those actions.
It is our sincere belief that the vast majority of our fellow students are respectful and tolerant. We believe that the student body bears the responsibility for enforcing and maintaining our social norms. Student complacency can be as dangerous as outright discrimination. Where complacency creates a social vacuum, a few individuals may distort our cultural norms. If distorted cultural norms lead to violence, the student body must respond.
We all have to ensure that invidious discrimination does not exist within our communities. We must permit and encourage dialogue, education, and personal and professional responsibility. We believe that we, as students, have the duty and power to change Washington & Lee.
We hope that all students take this opportunity to address, affirm, and defend shared cultural beliefs within their own institutions. Strike while the iron is hot. Let those around you know what you believe and when they might make feel you uncomfortable. Social change must come from within.
As Robert E. Lee, the founder of our gentleman's code stated, the purpose of our education should be to "[g]et correct views of life, and learn to see the world in its true light. It will enable you to live pleasantly, to do good, and, when summoned away, to leave without regret." We vow to leave without regret.
Yousri Omar and Andrew Howard are founders of SOULS and students at Washington & Lee School of Law, Class of 2007.
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