FEAR
It’s not a season, it’s The Climate
Webster Dictionary defines climate of fear as: the prevailing influence or environmentalconditions characterizing a group or period:
ATMOSPHERE
<a climate of fear>
We must ask ourselves:
1)
Who and what began the climate of fear?
2) Who would benefit from others bound to this state of being?
3) Who does this affect?
4) What are the effects?
5) How can we change this to be an environment in which we can learn?
The answers
we seek can be found by observing our current lives as studentsand the lives of our faculty.
1)
Clearly we did not initiate this. The climate of fear began when the term“budget crisis” became widespread. The term crisis invokes the conceptof danger, which leads to fear. However, the term is generic and falsely suggests we are all responsible for our current position. Those whoorchestrated this atmosphere are the ones who have the most to gain.
2)
Fear, combined with confusion held by students and faculty indicates who benefits. With no clear locations for blame to be properly placedadministrators are able to diffuse attention from themselves. Theinability for our campus leaders to be judged and held accountable isthe foundation for their other benefits.
3)
This climate of fear affects us. It affects students. It affects faculty. Itaffects all those who dare to believe that a higher education is important
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