Discipline Committee Selects Four Lowers
After a long, rigorous application and interview process, the student body and the current Discipline Committee have selected lowers Yena Cho, Nick Madamidola, Tierra McClain and Rex Tercek from a pool of strong candidates as the newest student members of the Academy’s Discipline Committee.
The process to elect Discipline Committee representatives in the Class of 2016 spanned the past two months. To be eligible to submit a candidacy in voting procedures, students were first required to collect 350 signatures. After this, a schoolwide vote determined eight students to move on to be interviewed by the Discipline Committee. Finally, the group was narrowed down to four lowers who will begin their tenure this term.
Chair of Discipline Committee and English instructor Ellen Wolff commented on the qualities the committee looks for when selecting students. “The qualities that we look for in student members are those you’d expect: the ability to listen closely, to think deeply about complex situations, to pose probing questions, to articulate opinions clearly and persuasively.”
Senior Nate Moulton, a current member of the Discipline Committee, agreed. “We looked at many factors, but in general, we wanted compassionate, honest, trustworthy people who represent the diverse student body we have on campus. Thankfully, every year, those are the types of people who the student body elects.”
Students also realized the importance of the decision the DC makes when selecting committee members. “For me, partaking in the discipline committee has always been one of the most valuable roles a student can hold at Exeter, because you affect the lives of many Exonians. By being a student member, your say can help the Exonian in question, whether that means requiring them to withdraw or allowing them to stay at the Academy,” Tercek said.
Cho also affirmed this idea. “I ran for the Discipline Committee to play a part in connecting students and faculty members. I hope that the committee continues to work to maintain Exeter as a safe, kind institution and that the other members and I can play a role in ensuring this atmosphere.”
Having faculty understand the perspective of a student is crucial in DC cases. McClain remarked on how this influenced why she decided to pursue a position on the committee.
“I want to serve the committee in ensuring there are reliable student voices on the DC who can give input on what life is like here such as the pressures and stress, so that careful decisions are made,” McClain said.
Wolff agreed. “The student members of the committee are vital to the committee's successful operation. Their questions and insights enrich our deliberations immeasurably.”
Students not on the committee have expressed their approval of the new board. Lower Maegan Moriarty agreed and further commented positively on the diversity of the new members.
“[The new members] will be able to connect to the people because they represent many different friend groups, friends, clubs and dorms. They are overall a diverse group,” Moriarty said.
However, lower Cesar Zamudio pointed out that many new lowers ran for the coveted position, yet none were ultimately chosen to be part of the committee. Zamudio expressed how he “would have liked to have seen more representation of new lowers.”
Senior Niklas Bergill, a current member of the Discipline Committee, is confident that the new committee will be in good hands. “I hope that the DC doesn't have to meet at all for the rest of the spring, but I [also] know that all the members, faculty and student alike, are incredibly capable and will handle anything the future very well.”
Moulton voiced similar sentiments. “My hope for the lowers and for the future of the committee is for more years like this one has been so far. It’s amazing that we have had so few DC cases so far this year, and I hope that’s a trend that continues.”
The new members held high hopes for the future of the committee, looking forward to learning more about cases.
“As we approach the dawn of next year, we will be attending cases and/or looking over case studies,” Tercek stated. “After all, no one is an expert in the matter of discipline, and it is quite subjective, so watching how cases work, what questions our peers ask and what the discussions are like will make us more productive, successful and beneficial when we begin our jobs next year.”