To the Editor:

One recent morning, I was walking through the resoundingly empty Westminster Choir College (WCC) campus, while listening to NPR as it detailed the desperate housing challenges faced by millions of migrants in our country.

Here is my proposal: Temporarily house some migrants in these empty dorms. Feed them in this empty Student Center. Campaign to let them work legally on the property to care for each other there, and in our town, so they can move toward affording to live on their own.

Yes, practical objections loom, and emotions run high. Believe me, I know and feel many of them. But here is a chance for our better angels to triumph.

The campus has been virtually closed for years, as court cases drag on. To its credit, my former employer, Rider University, has continued meticulously to maintain the buildings and 23 acres, at what must be substantial cost. It has an obvious self-interest in doing so. But could we imagine some higher purpose, compatible with a service-oriented mission, such as WCC and Princeton Theological Seminary might espouse? What if these institutions ceased feuding in court and creatively joined forces to role-model significant service during a national challenge?

Neighbors, fellow WCC grads, former Rider colleagues, in this holiday season, what about it? How seriously do we want to take the answer to the question, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in?”

I have created an email address, in case anyone — officials, houses of worship, migrant advocates, parties with vested interests, like-minded citizens — would like offer confidentially their interest in discussing with like-minded others: WCCtotheRescue@gmail.com.

Might be one way to ensure a blessed New Year!

Ellen Mckinley
Franklin Avenue