Once students dispersed for summer, l
ife on the Circle did not stop evolving. Top of the list of the new changes? A student-proposed, faculty-approved overhaul of the Intervisitation policy with the goal of fostering stronger inter-gender friendships, and new language in the handbook that more explicitly recognizes LGBT students. The most obvious alterations to student life happened in the section about Intervisitation, a time when students can visit the rooms the opposite sex. In the 2015-16 hand- book, “Intervis” formerly ran from 7:15pm until study hall every weeknight while on Saturdays, the Students Activities Committee announced Intervis in a specific dorm. However, the 2016-2017 handbook states that Fifth and Sixth Formers can request Intervisitation during study hall and faculty members may grant Intervisitation to students present in the dorm on Saturdays. Autumn Johnson ‘19 commented that these changes might help “bridge the gap between genders,” a vital step in the march towards a fully inclusive community. The changed rules were the result of hard work from a dedicated group of students. At a February Diversity & Inclusion Task Force (D&I) meeting, the topic of healthy relationships between opposite sex students was discussed. D&I member Marco McGavick ’17 described a primary concern, saying, “There seemed to be a distinct lack of communication between students and teachers on the topic of gender relationships.” Jay Montima ’18 extended this sentiment: “Groton isn’t a place that looks to foster relationships.” After further communication between faculty and the Task Force, a group formed with the common goal of creating and presenting a proposal that addressed the strained inter-gender culture. “We thought the most concrete change the school could make was one in policy,” explained Task Force member Zizi Kendall ’17. The group presented to faculty and the administration an edited version of the 2015-16 Intervisitation rule set. “The ultimate goal is to have students use Intervis more,” said Zizi. “We wanted Intervis to be reliable and effective,” added Marco, another member of the group that created the proposal. He believes that the new system will “normalize” inter-gender relationships, but that “most important is the precedent that this ‘new’ Intervis proposal has set” for administration responding to student concerns.” Mr. Goodrich seconded this hope saying, “It’s an encouraging, healthy sign that the administration has sought to make some changes. I hope that the students will, in turn, meet that compromise thoughtfully so that Intervis works.”