An eastern College says it’s done with the flag controversy. Its solution….the school won’t fly any flags on campus in the future.
After a widely publicized incident of flag burning on Hampshire College’s campus, the college president is taking extreme measures to make sure nothing like that happens again. From now on, no flags of any kind will be flown on campus.
The Massachusetts college has been on something of a controversial streak when it comes to flags. After the recent election of Donald Trump, some students lowered the flag to half-mast. Then, to make matters worse, that same flag was lit on fire a few days later.
The flag was replaced, but the college’s board responded to the incident by announcing that it would be flown at half-mast to “both to acknowledge the grief and pain experienced by so many and to enable the full complexity of voices and experiences to be heard.”
The policy isn’t sitting well with many in the community…..including veterans.
On days that traditionally call for the flying of the American flag — the anniversary of 9/11 and Veterans Day for example — the president will discuss what to do with members of the student body and faculty before making any flag-related decisions.
In a statement President Lash acknowledged that for many the flag is a “symbol of their highest aspiration for the country.” But it appears that group’s voice won’t be heard in this policy.