President’s speeches, letters, and articles
Subject: Announcing the Presidential Council on Campus Climate
August 21, 2024
Dear 91²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ community,
The well-being and experience of living, working, and learning at 91²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ are of the utmost importance to me and the entire leadership team. As we approach another year filled with significant national and international events—ranging from a U.S. presidential election to armed conflict in regions around the globe—it is essential that we come together to define what it means to be a community aligned with our educational mission and continue to commit to fostering a campus environment free from discrimination and harassment.
Over the past several years, the 91²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ leadership team has engaged in numerous individual and collective conversations with our campus community. I have been deeply grateful to everyone who has courageously shared their lived experiences, fears, anxieties, and hopes for a better 91²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ. Your insights have strengthened my resolve that, as a collective body, we can confront difficult challenges and work to build our campus community even when we may disagree.
One of my top priorities for this academic year is to attend to our campus climate. To this end, I have established the Presidential Council on Campus Climate, a cross-divisional team that will make recommendations and take action to support an inclusive and affirming campus environment and to ensure that all individuals are free from discrimination and harassment.
This council will be tri-chaired by Dean of the Faculty and Patricia and Clifford Lunneborg Professor of Psychology Kathy Oleson; Vice President for Student Life Karnell McConnell-Black; and Vice President & Dean for Institutional Diversity Phyllis Esposito. The Council's work will be organized into three subcommittees, each focusing on a critical area:
- Prevention and Education: Led by Kathy Oleson, this subcommittee will develop and implement educational programs and initiatives to prevent discrimination and promote understanding across our community.
- Immediate Response and Engagement: Led by Karnell McConnell-Black, this subcommittee will establish formal protocols and mechanisms for responding swiftly and effectively to incidents of discrimination.
- Data, Policy, and Awareness: Led by Phyllis Esposito, this subcommittee will analyze data, review policies, and raise awareness to identify and address systemic issues impacting campus climate.
I am appreciative of the members of our campus community who have graciously accepted the invitation to participate on the council.
Jessika Chi, Associate Dean of OID & Director of the MRC
Dev Devvrat, Associate Dean of Admission
Liz Colie Gadberry, Executive Assistant to the President
Aurore Giguet, Director of Alumni Relations and Volunteer Engagement
Gary Granger, Director of Community Safety
Andee Gude, Student Senate President
Sheena McFarland, Executive Director of Public Affairs and Communications
Phu Nguyen, Associate to the Office for Institutional Diversity
Heather Quinn-Barron, Director of Human Resources
Jefferson Ratliff, Student Senate Vice President
Suzy Renn, Associate Dean of the Faculty and Roger M. Perlmutter Professor of Biology
Jon Rork, Director of the Center for Teaching & Learning and George Hay Professor of Economics
Chris Toutain, Martha A. Darling Dean of Students
In the coming weeks, you can expect to hear from the council about its work and ways of engaging the entire 91²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ community.
Sincerely,
Audrey
Audrey Bilger
President