[UA] Open forum on new policies for Mind and Hand Book review

[Malte B Ahrens]

[cid:image001.png at 01D12FD6.C17E1EF0]

Dear Undergraduates,

Hello! Allow me to fill you in, and follow up on the Mind and Hand Book review:

With 590 responses and 132 further comments*, last week's survey brought compelling feedback and numbers to represent the undergraduate voice in the ongoing policy discussions.

This years' committee is charged with evaluating the need for - and creating new - policies.

We will be hosting two open forums to talk about the process and to hear thoughts, questions and concerns. e.g. Do you think there are policies missing - are there policies that you would like to see? Are you concerned about possible new policies?

Sunday (today - 12/6) in the Talbot Lounge (1W of East Campus), 7 - 8:30p
Monday (12/7) in the Student Center (W20-400), 6 - 7p

The committee has not yet set its agenda nor decided on which policies to evaluate. Here's why this matters - right now, the agenda is being set for what will (and will not) to be entertained. And we can help drive this agenda.

Suggestions being entertained include adding policy around bullying, hate speech, smoking, and/or "failure to comply with administrative requests".

We want to involve undergraduates as much as possible and welcome all input.

Regards,

Malte Ahrens '17

You can also submit thoughts, comments and questions via this Google form<http://goo.gl/forms/Dsa0bQtj80> (anonymous) or via e-mail.

*summarized results from the 10-second Mind and Hand Book Survey (with 590 respondents, as of 4am 12/6):
Have you heard of the Mind and Hand Book?                               83% (yes)               17% (no)
Do you feel like you understand it and its implications?              37% (yes)               63% (no)
Did you know that it was updated recently?                                 31% (yes)               69% (no)
Have you ever invoked it or been charged under it?                    7% (yes)                 93% (no)
Do you feel like your voice is heard?                                               2.38 (1 - not at all; 3 - fairly; 5 - above that of others)

Raised were concerns about accuracy of information, ambiguity in policy, clarity of language, communication, and possible punitive actions, among others. Many also expressed concern about specific policies, by and large around harm reduction and help seeking.

Full summary report to follow.
________________________________
From: Malte B Ahrens
Sent: Monday, November 30, 2015 7:58 PM
To: undergrads <undergrads at mit.edu>
Subject: [UA} 10-second survey on the Mind and Hand Book


[cid:image001.png at 01D12FD6.C17E1EF0]
Dear Undergraduates,

The Mind and Hand Book is currently under review by the Student Policy Review Committee.

The UA represents the undergraduate opinion in these talks (DSL, MIT Faculty and the GSC President representing the other parties).

Since this is a topic of great significance, we seek to highlight the importance of increased student engagement.

To that end, please add your opinions to this 10-second survey<https://undergradassociation.typeform.com/to/K60Let>.

We will keep you in the loop throughout, and will follow up with an in-person open forum later this week.

Regards,

Malte Ahrens '17

The Mind and Hand Book sets policies governing student life, including drug use, good Samaritan policy, hacking, harassment, hazing, free speech, and community standards. You can read it here: http://handbook.mit.edu<http://handbook.mit.edu/>

We welcome further questions, comments, and input via e-mail and at the forum later in the week.
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://mailman.mit.edu/pipermail/undergrads/attachments/20151206/d5550e56/attachment-0001.html
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image001.png
Type: image/png
Size: 7200 bytes
Desc: image001.png
Url : http://mailman.mit.edu/pipermail/undergrads/attachments/20151206/d5550e56/attachment-0001.png