“If my time here has taught me anything, it is this: Carnegie Mellon University fosters a culture of political apathy which in effect, makes urgency, visibility, and transparency in current efforts less important to the administration. Why take direct action when it is easier to pretend?… I understand to a certain extent the implications, especially for international students, of taking a public political stance, and I certainly do not blame them as individuals.
I am more disconcerted with Carnegie Mellon’s pledge for diversity and inclusion efforts as the institution itself treads lightly in politics and taking action. Simply put, diversity and inclusion are inherently political projects... Carnegie Mellon cannot simply hire more faculty members of color while current faculty lack the training necessary to interact and positively connect with students from marginalized groups. The institution cannot promise to listen to the student body’s concerns and then do little productive action beyond listening. They are putting on an act, and I am not buying it.”
- Catherine Taipe, ‘22
- Catherine Taipe, ‘22