Emily Spiegel, CCSGA Vice President for Student Concerns, talks about off-campus parties, CC Confessions, mental health issues at CC, cutting off her hair and cucumbers.
What are the student concerns for the Vice President of Student Concerns?
Mental health is a big one because I also do GROW. I think it all revolves around
both mental health and kind of honesty and trust. Whether that’s off campus parties which falls under Alli Weibel’s realm or food and sustainability like how can we be honest with administration and work with them and their incentives and goals and meet them with ours. More often than not they overlap, but we don’t necessarily always think economically and they usually do. I know they work in our best interest. It all comes down to collaboration.
What do you think about people blaming Jill for all the off campus parties?
Obviously it’s an easy scapegoat when you get a strongly worded email that says there is no drinking at this event when there is probably going to be student underage drinking. It’s really easy to get upset, but that’s not the intention.
What do you think about CC Confessions?
I love CC Confessions. I was not a fan of it originally, but I’m on CC Confessions all the time. I check it once a day because to me it’s a way to get a read on what’s going on with the school. Obviously I have open office hours. I try to talk to people on a regular basis, but this is my way of seeing in a very vulnerable and honest what’s really going on and what concerns are. I think CC Confessions has changed a lot in the last year.
How do you think we can create an environment that’s more open to discussion about mental health issues?
I think we’re doing a really good job. With all due respect I think it comes down to David Blackett’s suicide on campus, and from there my sister was student concerns rep for three years and helped start the Wellness Resource Center. Kathleen Caroll with David Blackett actually started GROW. Basically we’re moving in that direction. Heather Horton and I gave a talk to freshman during NSO about wellness, and I think that was really important. I think in general it’s just continuing the conversation. I think you see it on CC Confessions, and I think you see it when you and I walk by each other and I say hey how are you doing and instead of just saying fine and walking away you might actually stop and talk to me whether you’re doing really well or really poorly.
What’s a goal that you have for this year?
One of my favorite quotes, and not my actual favorite quote is Matisse, is “what I dream of is an art of balance,” and it’s just about balance. It’s really hard at this school. I don’t always think the block plan is conducive to mental or physical health; I think it’s a phenomenal way to learn but isn’t always healthy. I think we need to do a better job of maintaining balance.
What is your favorite quote?
“I believe in kindness. Also in mischief. Also in singing, especially when singing is not necessarily prescribed.” – Mary Oliver
What are you going to be for Halloween?
I’ve been talking to people a lot about this. Somebody told me Britney Spears, somebody told me G.I. Jane, somebody told me Avatar, but I’m going to be a chia pet.
Tell me about your recent haircut.
I’ve had a tough month and have had a lot going on. I change my hair every time that I go through something, and I just didn’t have a lot of hair to work with. I used to have hair down to my butt in middle school, but it’s my way of reminding myself or maybe other people that you can be bald and healthy. You can look ridiculous or different or look like Britney Spears and still be healthy, which I am.
What’s your favorite food you’ve ever farmed?
Carrots taste the most different from grocery stores. Bushbeans are horrible to pick. Cucumbers are fun.
What do you want to tell Colorado College students?
That everything is temporal. Physicality is temporal, feelings are temporal, life is temporal, and I don’t say that in a heavy way. I say that in a things pass but so do bad things kind of way. Also just the importance of supporting each other and being connected and being open to change.
Brooks Fleet
Style Editor