The Dakota Access Pipeline has frequented news and media outlets for the past couple months. It is a topic that many are aware of, but few are educated on. There has been debate even at Gustavus surrounding this topic. People have gone back and forth on whether or not they support sending protesters. Many have a hard time forming an educated opinion because of the way the DAPL is being presented to us.

The DAPL Pipeline “is a new approximate 1,172-mile, 30-inch diameter pipeline that will connect the rapidly expanding Bakken and Three Forks production areas in North Dakota to Patoka, Illinois. The pipeline will enable domestically produced light sweet crude oil from North Dakota to reach major refining markets in a more direct, cost-effective, safer and environmentally responsible manner. The pipeline will also reduce the current use of rail and truck transportation to move Bakken crude oil to major U.S. markets to support domestic demand,” according to the Dakota Access Pipeline main website.

There has been controversy surrounding the protesters who police have attempted to forcibly remove from Standing Rock and the involvement of the federal government.

These protestors are arguing that allowing this Pipeline to be built would be disturbing the ancestral burial sites in place along its route. It would also disturb the Standing Rock Sioux’s water supply. They also argue that it would add an extra burden to the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe who would not likely benefit economically from the DAPL Pipeline.

The group behind the DAPL Pipeline, Energy Transfer Partners, say that the project would actually lead to better economic development. Moreover, they believe that it would increase safety and efficiency in comparison to the use of trains to carry Bakken crude oil.

There also has been frequent discussion about whether other states should send help and resources to North Dakota. Many people have found themselves at odds with family and friends because of differing viewpoints.

In an attempt to educate the student body, the Student Senate sponsored a panel this past Wednesday to allow students and faculty to engage in constructive dialogue about the DAPL Pipeline.

“The goal of DAPL panel was to inform the student body of the various views of the Pipeline and allow them to respond to our survey that will go out after the panel with at least some knowledge on what DAPL is and the controversy surrounding it. Student Senate wants to know the student body’s stance on DAPL to determine if we should take action,” Junior Elizabeth Toeben said.

Not only was this panel used to educate and inform students, it was also used as a gauge for the Student Senate to see whether it is a good idea for them to take action as an organization.

The “panel will focus on many aspects of the constructions of the pipeline. The religious aspects, the historical and social injustices aspects, the economical aspect, and more,” Toeben said.

The entire first year class was sent an email encouraging them to attend from their representative on the Student Senate, Michael O’Neil. It stated that “the panel will feature a variety of viewpoints from both informed students and faculty, and there will be time for group discussion as well.”

The inclusion of this group discussion allowed students to get their specific questions answered about the DAPL Pipeline. It also gave the students a safe space to ask questions about the DAPL Pipeline they may not feel comfortable asking in other settings.

“It is important for people to attend the Panel to make their voices heard, to obtain clarifications on anything, and it’s important for students to participate in the survey so Student Senate knows how they are feeling—if we should take action or not,” Toeben said.

The participants of the discussion were; Cindy Johnson, Jeffrey Owens, Deborah Goodwin, Sam Keillor, Nathaniel Kraft, and Sean Hinnenkamp. The panel took place at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 6  in the Dive.

The Gustavus Student Senate hosted an informative panel on Wedensday Dec. 6 to educate the student body about the Dakota Access Pipeline controversy. Panelists listed from left to right are Jeff Owen, Professor of Economics, Deborah Goodwin, Professor of Religion, Cindy Johnson, Professor of Biology, Barbra Fister, Librarian, Samuel Keilior, Gustavus student who has travaled to Standing Rock Sacred Stone Camp twice, Sean Hinnenkamp, History and Economics Major, Nathan Kraft, Gustavus Student and resident of North Dakota.