2020-21 Statements

Shared Responsibility

February 15, 2021

Tags Public Statements

Dear Hamilton Community Members,

Last week the Spectator printed my letter reminding new and continuing students of the different channels available to offer ideas, suggestions, and feedback. These opportunities extend to faculty and staff as well, who are always welcome to email me at dwippman@hamilton.edu or set up an appointment by contacting Jacke Jones at jrjones@hamilton.edu.

I write now to urge everyone to provide feedback to the Advisory Council established last summer to recommend short-term and long-term actions to enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) at the College. On January 25, the council published its draft proposals and invited comments. The council also made public a set of materials documenting some of the College’s past DEI efforts. Continuing to make progress on DEI is a shared responsibility, and every voice is important:

1. You can send your comments using the “BE HEARD” button on the Advisory Council website.
2. Follow-up meetings are being scheduled to hear feedback from groups that met earlier with the council. If your organization would like to schedule a meeting to offer group feedback, please contact Gill King (gking@hamilton.edu) or Phyllis Breland (pbreland@hamilton.edu).
3. Members of the Advisory Council are available in pairs to host virtual office hours for individuals and small groups to discuss the proposals. Please email advisory-council@hamilton.edu to request an appointment.
4. You are always welcome to reach out directly to any of the members listed on the council’s website.

After the feedback period, the council will submit its final recommendations. Those recommendations and the College’s response will be shared with all Hamilton community members. Of course, the College’s anti-racism work will not be limited to implementing council recommendations. Many groups and individuals contribute to the College’s diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, and I trust they will continue to do so. The council’s proposals are simply one part, although an important part, of that larger shared effort.

David