It is possible to educate for character without imposing undue burdens - part of learning is balance, balance too often lacking in the stressed Swarthmore mindset. For one thing, there is still no student lounge facility, no sense of student owned and operated space, no center for collective relaxation. Segments of the community have their respective niches, but there is no designated solely student hang out. Notable is the absence thereof. On a less tangible level, the administrative response to Gabe's death has been flat footed.
Wise leadership responds to tragedy with vision and courage.
Rather than accepting a challenge to craft a kinder, gentler Swarthmore, administrators encourage us to recognize the support structures in place, and buck up because we are beautiful people. Too often we don't relish relationships here - everyone is too busy. For Swarthmorons, work cessitation is tantamount to pitching the ship's rudder overboard. Classes were not cancelled after Gabe killed himself, because, in the words of one administrator, we can't cancel classes without having an alternative plan for the day. Who's got time indeed.