Capy's Thoughts

Disclaimer: the views and opinions expressed here are those of my own, as a private individual exercising his First Amendament rights.

The capybara sits in quiet contemplation, his back turned to the world. He carries a deep sadness—not just for himself, but for the weight of recent events, both near and far. Lives lost, futures disrupted, dreams shaken. These events will not be named but are left for the reader to reflect and interpret in their own way.

One particular sorrow I feel compelled to highlight (so that  its quiet harm does not go unnoticed) is the outcome of a recent student conduct hearing, led with great formality by a certain university office that seems to regard “due process” as more suggestion than standard. For an office that supposedly champions students' rights and claims to "promote responsibility and encourage honesty, integrity and respect," the irony writes itself.

As the student’s Case Advisor, I stood beside them: sorting through the materials presented as “evidence,” preparing them for the hearing, and accompanying them there, even though I was only allowed to observe in silence, more fixture than participant.

Despite an uneven playing field and a confrontational and unprofessional "conduct officer," the student demonstrated extraordinary composure and integrity. It was far from a fair process, but this student's courage under pressure was a powerful testament to resilience. I am very, very proud of this student. The “conduct officer,” who touts "holistic student development" and ought to exemplify integrity, should reflect on the example set by this student

The outcome? Painfully foreseeable and deeply troubling—marked by errors, lacking in fairness, and delivered with the weight of performance rather than principle. The consequence? Disproportionate and long-lasting, far exceeding any educational purpose the office professes to serve.

When I appealed, I was met with the same institutional evasiveness I’ve come to recognize: policies invoked without insight, responses detached from reality, and a general unwillingness to engage in meaningful reflection. It’s disheartening. But it makes it all the more important to speak plainly and continue advocating for better.

But we are not powerless in the face of institutional inertia. We name what is broken. We demand better. We stand up for justice. And when fairness is mocked in closed rooms, we speak louder, shine brighter, and refuse to vanish into silence. The system may hide behind procedure, but we carry the clarity of principle. And that light? It’s coming.

That belief begins with us.

Each of us holds the power and courage to stand for what is right. To be the example the world so desperately needs. While we may not be able to rewrite every rule or right every wrong, we can change the life of someone close to us. We can offer kindness. We can extend fairness. We can nurture hope. And in those seemingly small, yet deeply powerful acts, the world begins to shift. One person at a time.