Mission
The Bennington Lens is a student-run news organization and digital publication based at Bennington College in Vermont. Founded in September of 2020, The Lens has developed parallel to “Democratize Bennington,” the movement to restore the power of the Student Voice in the college’s governing structures. As Bennington’s only free press — a fundamental piece of any democratic system — we aim to provide a space to document and promote the heterogeneous voices of our campus community and to inform community members on matters regarding school structures and campus culture.
In this time defined by instability, insecurity, and injustice, we’re further dedicated to educating Bennington students on social, political, and economic issues outside of the “Bennington bubble.” We work to encourage community engagement and activism in issues both on-campus and outside, understanding that conversations surrounding such issues may often intersect. We seek to confront the biases of students, staff, and administration, and ensure accountability within the latter. The Lens is also committed to self-accountability, believing that constant consideration and reflection of our organization’s voice and actions are critical to building inclusivity and representation.
