The organization has a rich and active history, but has been struggling to recruit new members. As part of our proposed campaign, we suggested tying in a special event as a throw-back to the 1916 Walkless, Talkless Parade.

The Walkless, Talkless Parade took place during the 1916 Democratic National Convention in St. Louis. The League of Women Voters used this opportunity to urge the Democratic presidential candidate to support women’s rights to vote.

The parade included “thousands of women wearing yellow sashes and carrying yellow parasols aligned along the route the conventioneers would travel. The women would not speak but instead stand still as judgment while the delegates passed through their ‘Golden Lane.’

On that sunny morning of June 14, more than 7,000 women, dressed in yellow sashes and carrying yellow parasols, lined Locust Street from 12th Street to 19th Street. A tableau portrayed Lady Liberty surrounded by women representing each of the states. Those who represented states that had given the vote to women dressed in white. Those who portrayed states that had failed to extend enfranchisement, Missouri among them, dressed in black and displayed manacled hands.” In the end, the Democrats voted to support their cause and by 1919, the 19th Amendment gave women the right to vote.

Today I got word that the organization is going to have a reenactment on Saturday, September 6th! The event is in conjunction with the Kids Voting program. I can’t tell you how excited I am to hear that the LWV is breathing new life into their organization and teaching kids about the importance of voting.

Here’s more info about the event:

Saturday, September 6^th—Yellow Umbrella Parade—A re-creation of the Walk-less, Talk-less Parade of 1916, commemorating the fight for women to get the right to vote!  Sponsored by Ben & Jerry’s and the St. Louis League of Women Voters
Place: St. Louis University, Boileau Hall @ Vandeventer & Laclede
9:00 a.m.: Registration
10:30 a.m.: Walk/Parade
11:30 a.m.: Speakers
Kids Voting schools can walk free—bring an ID
Non-Kids Voting:  $25 for Pre-registration or $30 on-site registration
Proceeds from the Walk will benefit Kids Voting Missouri
To Pre-Register: Phone: 314-961-6869 or E-mail: lwvmo@yahoo.com

Yesterday, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch published a story by Kavita Kumar about the situation and editorial staff member Alex Mayer posted a great commentary on the logic behind SLU’s actions and their attack on freedom of the press. And Kumar’s article is already a top-3 most e-mailed story today on STLtoday.com.

Plus, Amy George Rush and Jenny Rolf just launched an awesome new site dedicated to informing people about the situation and supporting a SLU legend. Visit the new SaveAvis.com!

Please see Weixlmann’s response in bold. I hope to provide my commentary on his response in a post later today.

Your passionate email probably deserves a longer response than I can afford it, given my other responsibilities, but I have made what I hope are some useful observations below –>
Provost Weixlmann,

Certainly you do not suppose that any decision made on my part, your own or any other, for that matter, is based solely on logic. There are many logical lunatics who operate without compassion. My argument is not entirely rooted in logic. My conclusion that Dr. Meyer is beloved is based upon the many outspoken voices of fellow alumni and former faculty. We do not spend our time and energy to reach out to influential members of the SLU community, such as yourself, seeking understanding regarding your actions, as a mere pastime. We do so because we are concerned about the implications of such actions when they contradict the Mission of the university. Beloved people, and institutions, can certainly do wrong.  

<I UNDERSTAND.  AGREED.>

According to Father Biondi’s March 2008 State of the University address, the university had already spent more than $18,000 in legal fees associated with the case against Dr. Meyer. In the spirit of extending compassionate care, why has the university continued its battle with Dr. Meyer rather than devoting its resources toward alleviating ignorance and injustice? In fact, with tens of thousands of dollars devoted to lawyers, I wonder if the university’s tendency to draw out the litigation process and drive up legal fees is not an effort to drive another into poverty.

<DR. MEYER SOUGHT TO TAKE FOR HIS OWN A TRADEMARK OF THE UNIVERSITY’S.  HE WAS ASKED, EARLY ON, TO RELEASE HIS CLAIM AND COMMIT NEVER AGAIN TO DOING THAT.  INSTEAD, HE REFUSED, AND SO LITIGATION HAS CONTINUED.  SHOULD THE UNIVERSITY HAVE IGNORED THIS THREAT?  WHILE SOME MIGHT ANSWER NO AND OTHERS YES, I TRUST MOST ORGANIZATIONS WOULD WISH TO DEFEND WHAT IS THEIRS THROUGH REASONABLE MEANS.  THAT’S WHAT WE’RE DOING.>

It is my understanding that the Jesuit ideals that SLU strives to embody are based upon promoting good to its fullest extent, loving and not casting judgment. To quote an employee at Boston College, Jesuit ideals are based upon the “life and mission of Jesus Christ, who welcomed children, ate with sinners, defended the vulnerable, and proclaimed the Reign of God. Any activity claiming to represent Jesuit ideals will reflect these same priorities.” I contend that SLU’s Mission will not be realized in an environment characterized by censorship and apathy.

<THERE IS NEITHER CENSORSHIP NOR APATHY HERE, AND WE’RE WILLING TO “EAT WITH SINNERS.”  I.E., CONTRARY TO SOME OF WHAT’S BEEN WRITTEN, THE UNIVERSITY HAS SIMPLY REQUESTED TWO THINGS: (1) A FULL RELEASE OF DR. MEYER’S LEGAL CLAIM AND (2) HIS AGREEMENT TO ALLOW THE PAPER TO FUNCTION UNDER ITS CHARTER WITHOUT HIS INTERFERENCE.  HE IS NOT BEING ASKED ANYTHING WE WOULDN’T ASK OF ANY OTHER FACULTY OR STAFF MEMBER.>

With thousands of dollars invested in legal proceedings, not to mention late nights, furrowed brows and frustration over these matters, I can only hope that the leadership at Saint Louis University can continue to make wise allocations of its resources. I do not purport to know the whole story and I am left to rely upon public records, media coverage and the blogs and e-mails of concerned community members. In my last letter to you, I requested the truth regarding the situation, including the motives of the university in its continued legal proceedings and how I can further express my opposition to such actions.

<IT IS NOT EFFICIENT TO RESPOND TO YOU OR OTHERS, AND IT IS PROBABLY OF LIMITED EFFECTIVENESS.  BUT I RESPOND, IN LARGE MEASURE, BECAUSE THAT’S HOW I WAS RAISED — BY MY PARENTS AND THE JESUITS.  DESPITE WHAT THOSE WHO DO NOT KNOW ME MAY THINK, MY UPBRINGING ALSO DEEPLY INFORMS THE SPIRIT IN WHICH I CONDUCT THE UNIVERSITY’S BUSINESS.>

I understand that you cannot comment on personnel matters, but I would sincerely appreciate your insight regarding how this campaign furthers the university’s mission.

Regards,

Colleen Jaycox

Unfortunately, I suspect no response will satisfy you, because you assume that Dr. Meyer’s being “beloved” by certain students should render impossible his ever doing anything wrong. This is not a logical proposition.

This is not a callous assessment; it’s a simple fact.

Joe Weixlmann, Ph.D., Provost
221 North Grand Blvd.
DuBourg Hall 450, Saint Louis U
St. Louis, MO 63103

Provost Weixlmann,

The response that would satisfy me would be one of both compassion and reason from the Saint Louis University administration.

Certainly you do not suppose that any decision made on my part, your own or any other, for that matter, is based solely on logic. There are many logical lunatics who operate without compassion. My argument is not entirely rooted in logic. My conclusion that Dr. Meyer is beloved is based upon the many outspoken voices of fellow alumni and former faculty. We do not spend our time and energy to reach out to influential members of the SLU community, such as yourself, seeking understanding regarding your actions, as a mere pastime. We do so because we are concerned about the implications of such actions when they contradict the Mission of the university. Beloved people, and institutions, can certainly do wrong.

Given that Saint Louis University is a Jesuit, Catholic university, you will understand that decisions, especially at such an institution, should be made with consideration to ethical and religious ideals. As a student at Canisius and now provost of the university, I am sure you are familiar with both Jesuit ideals and SLU’s Mission statement. I find SLU’s Mission a wise and inspiring document that I hope that the administration is able to live up to, especially in light of the legal battle with Dr. Meyer.

“The Mission of Saint Louis University is the pursuit of truth for the greater glory of God and for the service of humanity. The University seeks excellence in the fulfillment of its corporate purposes of teaching, research and community service.”

It is with the pursuit of truth and commitment to excellence in the university’s purpose of teaching that I write to you now. Has Dr. Meyer not proven himself an excellent educator? I believe that numerous awards bestowed upon him speak volumes for his good work, as have the many testimonials you have received from his former students such as myself.

“In support of this mission the University… enables an academic environment which values and promotes free, active and original intellectual inquiry among its faculty and students.”

Do you believe that you continue to enable an academic environment which promotes free and active intellectual inquiry when student editors are no longer free to publish the University News without fear of retribution for content that speaks negatively of the administration? And when a tenured professor is physically barred from interacting with students as they work on the paper he has fostered for more than three decades?

“…maintains and encourages programs which link the University and its resources to its local, national, and international communities in support of efforts to alleviate ignorance, poverty, injustice, and hunger, to extend compassionate care to the ill and needy, and to maintain and improve the quality of life for all persons.”

According to Father Biondi’s March 2008 State of the University address, the university had already spent more than $18,000 in legal fees associated with the case against Dr. Meyer. In the spirit of extending compassionate care, why has the university continued its battle with Dr. Meyer rather than devoting its resources toward alleviating ignorance and injustice? In fact, with tens of thousands of dollars devoted to lawyers, I wonder if the university’s tendency to draw out the litigation process and drive up legal fees is not an effort to drive another into poverty.

“…nurtures within its community an understanding of and commitment to the promotion of faith and justice in the spirit of the Gospels.”

It is my understanding that the Jesuit ideals that SLU strives to embody are based upon promoting good to its fullest extent, loving and not casting judgment. To quote an employee at Boston College, Jesuit ideals are based upon the “life and mission of Jesus Christ, who welcomed children, ate with sinners, defended the vulnerable, and proclaimed the Reign of God. Any activity claiming to represent Jesuit ideals will reflect these same priorities.” I contend that SLU’s Mission will not be realized in an environment characterized by censorship and apathy.

“…wisely allocates its resources to maintain efficiency and effectiveness in attaining its mission and goals.”

With thousands of dollars invested in legal proceedings, not to mention late nights, furrowed brows and frustration over these matters, I can only hope that the leadership at Saint Louis University can continue to make wise allocations of its resources. I do not purport to know the whole story and I am left to rely upon public records, media coverage and the blogs and e-mails of concerned community members. In my last letter to you, I requested the truth regarding the situation, including the motives of the university in its continued legal proceedings and how I can further express my opposition to such actions.

I understand that you cannot comment on personnel matters, but I would sincerely appreciate your insight regarding how this campaign furthers the university’s mission.

Regards,

Colleen Jaycox

I am disheartened to hear of your cold and calloused remarks toward my fellow Saint Louis University alumni in the wake of the controversy over the university’s actions against Dr. Avis Meyer. Most specifically, I am referring to your e-mail responses to Eric Holthaus and Amy George Rush. After all, these are the sons and daughters of SLU, results of the fine education you and your colleagues purport to have bestowed upon them.

We come to you now to voice our concerns and you offer one-line responses. Our opinions mattered dearly as we participated in class discussions and voted in the student senate. As students, we were given a voice through the University News. Now as we come together over this matter – through phone calls, letters, e-mails, blogs and web sites – and you contend that we are misinformed.

I ask that you please inform me, as well as my fellow alumni and concerned community members, of the truth in this matter. After reading media accounts, Fr. Biondi’s state of the university address from March, and statements from Mr. Berry and Mr. Fowler on the matter, I remain unconvinced that the actions of the administration against Dr. Meyer are warranted. The answers you and the rest of the administration have thus far provided leave me unsatisfied and ashamed of my alma mater.

It is one thing to go after our beloved and highly respected professor and an entirely different matter to respond to our concerns hardheartedly. We are expressing our worries with regards to the legal war that the university continues to wage against Dr. Meyer and the personal attacks that have ensued. Now we must add to the list of our grievances, disappointment in the way that you are addressing our objections.

Without loyalty to outspoken alumni, donors, tenured faculty and the incensed voices of hundreds who have spoken out regarding the university’s actions toward Dr. Meyer and the University News, what are the administration’s motives as you continue this assault? What more can we do to voice our vehement opposition to this campaign?

Should you be unable to appropriately address the concerns of both myself and fellow alumni, I have included Fr. Biondi as well as the directors of Alumni Relations, Donor Relations and Student Development on this letter, in hopes that this situation will be fittingly resolved.

Respectfully yours,

Colleen Jaycox
College of Arts & Sciences, Class of 2007

Dr. Meyer is a true educator, dedicated primarily to his students, secondarily to his journalistic craft and thirdly to the integrity of Saint Louis University. After 30 years teaching journalism and news writing, editing, and even film criticism, all the while serving as faculty adviser to the University News, Meyer is at risk to lose his tenure while dually burdened with excessive legal fees and stress associated with his battle against Saint Louis University.

As a student in both Meyer’s News writing and Film Criticism courses, I learned how to write right. Used to receiving top marks in all of my courses, I worked harder than ever to earn two A minuses. Aside from the blow to my GPA (and ego) I learned to take my compositions to a higher level and to take my education much more seriously. Upon my graduation from SLU, in May of 2007, I was honored with a heartfelt speech from Avis and the presentation of an academic award from the department.

In 1987, Father Lawrence Biondi came to Saint Louis University with a vision to make SLU the premier Catholic institution in the United States. What did he see at SLU when he arrived, but the hard work of people like Avis Meyer? I believe that it is still Biondi’s aim to improve the university and the quality of education, faculty, facilities, athletics and even aesthetics available to its students. What I cannot believe is how this ugly fight against Meyer will do anything but detract from the bounty Biondi envisions.

It is a shame that the university has invested tens of thousands of dollars into this legal battle rather than pour funds into scholarships, facilities or resources toward SLU’s mission. It is a tragedy that the university continues to attack such a well-respected, genuine man such as Avis Meyer. It is an atrocity that the university denies any wrong-doing or misjudgment regarding any of their actions whatsoever pertaining to this situation.

Thankfully, SLU Alumni will not stand by silently as this ridiculousness ensues. Many are threatening to withhold further donations to the university because they feel that letters and petitions do not speak loud enough for an administration ruled by the iron-fist of its president in conjunction with the monetary canon of its donors. As a recent graduate still paying off debt incurred during my time at the university, I can only ask that others voice their opinions on the matter.

I’d like to commend fellow alumnae Michele L. Parrish and Diana Leigh Benanti for their outspoken and eloquent posts, as well as alumnus Andrew Emmerich for writing to influential members of the media and SLU community.

The struggle began over the student newspaper, the University News and has escalated into a legal circus, complete with the emotional and financial drain associated with such.

I urge you to visit http://saveavis.wordpress.com to learn more about the struggles of Dr. Meyer against the university.

If at all possible, please provide your support for the cause by writing to influential members of the press and the university community to make them aware of the situation and your feelings on the matter.

In high school, there was an organization called Key Club which quickly became one of the largest student organizations at my school. It was an after-school group associated with the Kiwanis service leadership organization. According to the Key Club web site, they are the largest high school student organization in the world. The world. Unfortunately, at my high school, I felt as though many students joined simply to get brownie points on their college applications. Sure, it’s great to be helping others – but only to boost your shot at getting into a selective school? I don’t know. Something about that rubbed me the wrong way. But I guess in the process they helped others – and that’s what really counts.

In addition to Key Club, our school had other service opportunities through other after school clubs. An old friend of mine asked me to do a talent show act with him to benefit the Friends of Kids with Cancer. He is a survivor of bone cancer and I have always admired his strength – not only for soldiering through invasive treatment, but for holding his head up as he weathers continued challenges and the sorrow of outliving many friends who did not make it through their illnesses. I had a blast doing our own version of the famous Abbott & Costello “Who’s on First” comedy routine. I’m pretty sure we butchered the script, but it’s still a great memory I have.

My senior year, I took part in a Community Service class. Every day of the week had a different service assignment – one day we would visit nursing home residents, the next day we’d go to a neighboring elementary school to mentor at-risk students. Plus, you got to leave school for lunch and it was an easy A. I guess I’m guilty of signing up for service and banking on some of the benefits.

In December of my senior year, a boy who graduated the year before suddenly passed away from complications of a rare blood disease. Prior to falling ill his senior year, he was a hockey player and good friend to many students. He had two younger siblings at the high school as well. His sister was in my community service class and we decided to create a special event in honor of the student and an organization that makes a difference in the lives of many seriously ill kids in our community. We organized an event called “Dream Big: 5K for the Factory.”

The 5K walk/run raised tens of thousands of dollars the first year and will be celebrating it’s 4th anniversary on April 20th, 2008. The beneficiary of the fundraiser, the Dream Factory of St. Louis, has helped hundreds of extraordinary children live out their dreams. My friend, a sports fanatic, went to the Super Bowl. The Dream Factory takes kids to Disney World, to Hawaii and even donates horse trailers!

I chose to attend college at Saint Louis University, not even realizing that it was a Jesuit, Catholic university dedicated to service. I soon found out that service was an integral part of the university’s mission. In fact, SLU’s motto is “Men and women for others.” After three years as a campus tour guide – I got pretty good at explaining the motto and why universities founded on service to others truly make for an exceptional learning experience.

At SLU, there were so many opportunities to give back to the community. My freshman year I tutored students in the America Reads program and the Freshman day of service. Many of my friends participated in Campus Kitchen, APO and Relay for Life. Through the Public Relations club, we donated our services to charities like the Dream Factory and the Make-A-Wish foundation. Some of my friends even donated their spring break to go on service trips. I still feel like I didn’t get as involved as I should have while at school – I always feared that if I did too much I would take away from time for work and school. Looking back, I watched too much TV, spent way too much time on Facebook and didn’t give back enough.

After graduation, those feelings of regret really started to settle in. I realized how blessed (and lazy) I am. When I was on an informational interview with Drake & Co., I met a young professional who recommended that I get involved with United Way of Greater St. Louis’s GenNext program. She said it was a great way to network and meet other young people in St. Louis that are starting careers and looking for ways to give back to the community. Again, guilty of signing up for service in part for my own benefit, I registered to help out at a Head Start campus.

Not only did I learn more about an organization providing exceptional educational opportunities for low-income children – I also met a network of young people dedicated to making a difference in the lives of others. They are graduate students and professionals in a variety of fields, who have a great time helping others. Although I am still trying to get more involved with the organization (I just signed up to be on a grant panel!), I am excited to spend more time with such altruistic people. I enjoy helping others and meeting new friends who share those interests.

And, hey, it doesn’t hurt to mention that I met my now employer at a Make-A-Wish foundation, does it?