Evergreen State College (mostly) ends embarrassing ‘Day of Absence’

The Evergreen State College has decided to move on from their annual Day of Absence, months after the movement potentially caused irreparable damage to the school’s reputation.

Evergreen State College pres. chided dean

Last year, activists demanded white students and staffers leave campus so that students of color could talk about racism, privilege, and other Progressive hot topics. But Bret Weinstein refused. Though he is himself a Progressive, he found this ask to be counter-productive. And for that, he was hounded, harassed, and essentially held hostage.

He would later settle a lawsuit with the school.

Now, the school, via a statement to the Olympian, announced they’re moving on. Sort of.

According to college spokesman Zach Powers:

“Evergreen is expanding our campus discussions on issues of race and inclusion via many events throughout the academic year. The mischaracterization of Day of Absence last spring has led us to consider different and expanded ways to have these essential conversations, which continue among students, staff, and faculty. The title is no longer in use, but the deep commitment to expanding inclusion remains.”

One wonders if this ridiculous statement was made under duress. They clearly want to distance themselves from the event, but fear they might upset their unhinged student population.

There was no “mischaracterization.” It was well-documented and widely condemned. Indeed, Evergreen was recently named one of the 10 worst colleges for free speech in the entire country. The students wouldn’t even let embattled school President George S. Bridges use the bathroom during a protest unless he was escorted by students.

This move comes as the school faces potential financial ruin. As I reported last week, the school was forced to dip into emergency reserves to stay financially tenable and is suffering a near-20 percent dip in enrollment. From all the justified negative press they’ve received over the last year, it’s not surprising that they might want to tepidly distance themselves from a source of the criticism.

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