In the most recent issue of The Dickinsonian, Rachael Franchini wrote about how senior Dickinson officials “denied a request for the college to sponsor a Syrian refugee family.” What upset me about the article, in particular, was President Roseman’s response to the idea of Dickinson joining Every Campus a Refugee, “a nation-wide initiative that calls on colleges and universities to each provide one refugee family with housing during their resettlement”: “Unfortunately, [Dickinson] just [doesn’t] have the space to be able to commit to the program this year.” This is a disturbing response on so many levels.

One problem is that our issue of “space” is trivial compared to what is going on in Syria. We are complaining about “space” at a time when Syrian universities (if they are even open) have to worry about civil war and the consequences that come with it. Roseman’s complaints about space, at a time when our collegiate brothers and sisters in Syria are worrying about their lives and livelihoods, is out-of-touch with how desperate things are in Syria.

Another disturbing element of this response is that there probably is space for a refugee family, despite President Roseman’s claims. There are guest houses on this campus, which can be utilized for a refugee family, if they are not already heavily used. We can find space outside of Dickinson but within Carlisle for a refugee family; if seniors in college can find spaces outside of Dickinson but within Carlisle for living quarters, administrators certainly must be capable of finding a space outside of the college but within Carlisle for a refugee family. And there are people associated with the college who would be happy to commit to hosting a refugee family if the administration wanted someone to host a refugee family. Roseman should pursue one of these three options, instead of complaining about the college’s lack of space for a refugee family.

But there is one other problem with this response from Roseman and the administration; it shows that, in this case, the college is not living up to the values we stated in the “Dickinson Dimensions.” One of these dimensions asks that we “Engage the World,” by working “to build a just, compassionate, and economically viable society.” There is nothing just or compassionate about not committing ourselves to an initiative, which is designed to help Syrian refugees. If President Roseman was truly committed to the stated Dickinsonian values of justice and compassion, she would commit this college to helping Syrian refugees through Every Campus a Refugee or through other initiatives.

Dickinson students who feel passionate about this issue, like I do, may be asking; how can I act in a way that puts pressure on the Dickinson administration to change this? I encourage my fellow Dickinsonians to take a couple of steps. You can write a letter to President Roseman. You can spread the word on this issue with friends or colleagues so that they too can respond. You can do your part to put pressure on President Roseman so that Dickinson can join Every Campus a Refugee, and therefore join the effort to care for at least one family who is trying to escape the civil war in Syria.