Bennington College: Navigating Controversies and Investigations

Bennington College, known for its progressive pedagogy and close-knit community, has faced its share of controversies and investigations. From environmental concerns to issues of racial harassment and campus safety, the college has had to grapple with complex challenges that have tested its values and commitment to its students and the surrounding community.

Addressing PFOA Contamination

One of the most significant issues Bennington College has addressed in recent years is the contamination of drinking water with Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA). In 2015, local residents sought the college's assistance in understanding the alarming discovery of PFOA in their drinking water. Recognizing the importance of this environmental problem, Bennington College, supported by the National Science Foundation, opened its science classrooms to address the issue.

The college's goal was to use scientific expertise to help citizens better understand PFAS contamination and work towards environmental justice. Bennington College partnered with the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (VT DEC) to analyze the extensive data the state had collected on PFOA in the groundwater of southwest Vermont. Faculty and students analyzed PFOA levels in 4,797 groundwater samples from 698 unique wells taken between 2016 and 2024.

The Bennington College team identified a linear relationship between distance from ChemFab, a local manufacturing facility, and PFOA levels in groundwater. Generally, the further away from ChemFab, the lower the PFOA level. However, there were exceptions to this pattern, with some locations showing PFOA levels above or below what the distance from ChemFab would predict.

To explain these deviations, the team identified several spatial patterns, including wind direction, bedrock type, slopes facing ChemFab, and proximity to fault lines. These findings support the conclusion that ChemFab was the primary source of PFOA contamination in the Bennington region.

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Incineration of AFFF and PFAS Contamination

In addition to the ChemFab contamination, Bennington College researchers investigated the incineration of Aqueous Fire Fighting Foam (AFFF), a toxic fire-fighting foam containing perfluorinated compounds (PFAS) like PFOA and PFOS. Since 2016, the US military had been incinerating millions of pounds of AFFF, despite the lack of evidence that incineration effectively destroys PFAS compounds.

In 2020, Bennington College researchers obtained documents listing shipments of AFFF to incinerators, including the Norlite hazardous waste incinerator in Cohoes, NY. Soil and surface water samples taken from neighborhoods around the Norlite plant were found to be contaminated with PFAS compounds commonly found in AFFF.

The research suggested that the burning of AFFF at Norlite was redistributing these dangerous chemicals into nearby communities, rather than destroying them. This raised concerns that the Norlite facility was a significant local and potentially regional source of PFAS contamination.

Community Health Concerns

A community health questionnaire distributed to residents of Hoosick Falls and Petersburgh, NY, and Bennington, VT, revealed previously unreported cases of cancer and illnesses linked to PFOA exposure. The questionnaire, with 443 responses, reported 31 instances of kidney cancer, 11 instances of testicular cancer, and over 230 instances of thyroid disease in these communities.

Research also identified a distinct plume of soil with elevated levels of PFOA directly downwind of the ChemFab facility in North Bennington. These findings highlighted the need for continued monitoring and remediation efforts to protect the health of the affected communities.

Racial Harassment and its Aftermath

Another significant controversy that Bennington College and the surrounding community faced was the racial harassment of Kiah Morris, a former Vermont state representative. Morris, who is African American, was subjected to persistent racial harassment that ultimately led to her decision not to seek re-election in 2018.

The case drew national attention to the issue of racism in Vermont and sparked a great deal of discussion among state officials, lawmakers, and advocates. While many expressed outrage and a desire to address the problem, Morris herself felt that little had changed in Bennington or Vermont since she first raised the alarm.

The Investigation and its Discontents

Vermont Attorney General TJ Donovan conducted an investigation into the harassment of Morris but concluded that no one, including Max Misch, who admitted to trolling Morris online, violated any criminal laws. This decision was met with criticism from Morris's supporters, who felt that the investigation had not adequately addressed the issue.

Documents from the Attorney General's investigation revealed communications between Assistant Attorney General Ultan Doyle and Bennington Police Chief Paul Doucette, which some allies of Morris pointed to as illustrating the police department's attitude in the case. Morris and her husband also took issue with questions raised about the use of funds from a GoFundMe campaign that had been set up to support her family.

Community Reactions and Divisions

The case of Kiah Morris divided the town of Bennington, with some residents expressing support for Morris and condemning the harassment she had faced, while others downplayed the issue or even questioned her motives. Mia Schultz, a Bennington resident, noted that the case had exposed deep-seated racial tensions in the community.

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Kevin Hoyt, a gun rights advocate and unsuccessful candidate for a House seat from Bennington, claimed that Morris and her husband had made up or exaggerated their claims of racism in search of sympathy. Donald Campbell, chair of the Bennington selectboard, acknowledged that the town government had struggled to respond to the issue and had enlisted the help of an expert in diversity and inclusion to review the practices and procedures of the police department.

Lingering Questions and the Need for Change

Despite the attention and discussion sparked by Morris's case, little concrete action was taken to address the underlying issues of racism and harassment in Bennington. Morris herself expressed disappointment that more hadn't happened and that the focus had been on what did and didn't happen to her, rather than on taking steps to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.

The case of Kiah Morris serves as a reminder of the challenges that communities face in addressing issues of racial harassment and discrimination. It also highlights the importance of creating a supportive and inclusive environment for all residents, regardless of their race or background.

Addressing Sexual Assault on Campus

In recent years, Bennington College has also faced scrutiny over its handling of sexual assault allegations on campus. In November, a town hall was held to address growing concerns about sexual assault, following the outing of several alleged abusers.

The town hall was met with criticism from students, who felt that the administration was not taking the issue seriously enough. College President Laura Walker's remarks, in particular, sparked controversy, with students accusing her of downplaying the allegations and making insensitive comments about race.

Student Concerns and Demands

Students expressed concerns about the lack of transparency in Title IX cases, the lack of support for house chairs dealing with accused abusers, and the unaffordability and lack of diversity in counseling services. They also called for greater student involvement in reforming Title IX policies and hiring a new coordinator.

A major point of contention was the administration's repeated use of the term "restorative justice," without providing a clear definition or plan for how it would be implemented on campus. Students felt that the administration's responses were inadequate and that they were not being heard.

The Bennington Student Wellness Plan

In response to these concerns, Bennington College has developed a new Student Wellness Plan aimed at improving mental health services and creating a more supportive campus environment. The plan calls for a wider range of treatment modalities and interventions, additional diverse staff, and greater focus on prevention.

The plan also seeks to address the needs of underserved students, including students of color, international students, first-generation and low-income students, and LGBTQ+ students, who have reported feeling uncomfortable with seeking counseling services in the past. The Wellness Plan acknowledges the need to better support students in understanding what is available to them and mentoring them within a broader wellness domain.

Ongoing Efforts and Accountability

Bennington College is working to implement the Student Wellness Plan and address the concerns raised by students regarding sexual assault and campus safety. The college recognizes the need for ongoing efforts and accountability to create a safe and supportive environment for all members of the community.

These efforts include increasing transparency in Title IX processes, providing support for house chairs, and diversifying counseling services. The college is also committed to working with students to develop and implement restorative justice practices that address harm to the community and individual students.

Other Controversies

Bennington College has also faced other controversies throughout its history, including a censure by the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) in 1995, after the college fired 26 professors and eliminated all of its academic divisions and some departments due to a fiscal crisis. The AAUP released another report criticizing Bennington College for its tenure policies and accusing it of violating academic freedom.

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