Chatham Student Activism Blog

To the Chatham University Community:

On November 29^th, I wrote the members of the campus community concerning some controversies that had recently embroiled the campus. In my letter, I urged that there be a cooling off period to allow a committee of faculty and staff to conduct an investigation of the controversies and issue findings and recommendations. I would like to express my gratitude to all the students and others who honored that request, in spirit and in letter, omitting meetings they had planned, and waiting for the findings of the Committee.

The Committee has issued its findings and recommendations in a report, which it shared with me this morning. Students, faculty and staff may read the report, “Final Report of the Faculty Committee to President Barazzone on the Recent Controversies,” on myChatham.edu under Documents, President’s Office.

I would like to thank the members of the Committee for the care, thoroughness, and fairness with which they conducted their investigation. Committee Chair Chris Michelmore, Karen Dajani, Emma Johnson, Prajna Parasher, David Phillips, Jean-Jacques Sene, and Lisa Weaver interviewed students, faculty members and staff, considered evidence that parties submitted, and sought out their own evidence as part of their careful and thoughtful investigation.

I also would like to thank the students, faculty and staff members who met with the Committee or provided information as part of the Committee’s investigation.

The Committee’s Report includes a brief narrative of the incidents leading to the appointment of the Committee, four key findings, and four recommendations. In sum, the Committee has recommended that: (1) a Commission on Multicultural Affairs be established; (2) a Community Ombudsman be appointed, (3) mediation be made available to students involved in these controversies, and (4) changes be made to the Communiqué’s operations to help better integrate the newspaper into the campus community.

Here is how I propose to address each of the four recommendations:

• Commission on Multicultural Affairs: The recent displays of incivility and intolerance on campus have been extremely disturbing, particularly in light of Chatham’s history as an institution that was founded for the inclusion of people who were excluded at the time. Because of our history, we have always been particularly sensitive to the need to create an environment in which differences of many kinds – including race, religion, sexual preference, national origin and culture – are embraced. Indeed, the new Strategic Plan that is being developed and that will guide the institution through its next decade, makes global and intercultural education, including diversity, one of the institution’s mission initiatives.

While I appreciate the Committee’s recommendation to establish a short-term Commission on Multicultural Affairs, I believe we need to address in a long-term way the goal of the Strategic Plan that ongoing intercultural and diversity education be a continuing definer of this institution. Therefore, I am going to empanel a university-wide Advisory Committee on Multiculturalism and Diversity to begin the task of understanding what we need to do to achieve an environment where differences are tolerated, learned about, and civility rules. The Committee will be chaired by Dr. Anne Skleder, Dean of Chatham College for Women, and will include four students (two each from the undergraduate and graduate student bodies), four or more faculty members (also drawn from the undergraduate and graduate ranks), and staff. Further details on the Committee’s charge and composition, including information on how students may apply to be on it, will be forthcoming in January.

• Community Ombudsman: Dr. David Phillips, Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students, has agreed to serve as Community Ombudsman and will assume that role immediately. While this is in response to the request for a single person who can direct and initiate the handling of any concerns about intolerance or discrimination directed toward any student or other member of the community, you are reminded that procedures and contact persons do exist currently for the handling of complaints which you may also want to use and to which Dr. Phillips may well direct you. Thus, matters that occur in the academic arena could also be addressed to any of the College deans, or Dr. Laura Armesto, Vice President for Academic Affairs.

• Mediation Opportunity: The University’s mediation resources and personnel, including the Center for Conflict Resolution, will be made available to students who have been involved in the recent controversies. I encourage students to contact Dr. Jean Jacques Sene of the Center for Conflict Resolution to learn what resources and services are available. I join the Committee in encouraging those involved to try to understand the wounds of these encounters—on both sides—and praise you in advance for your courage if you choose to participate. We must seek actively to move beyond the difficulties of the recent past.

• Communiqué: The Committee’s comments on the need for a publishing function to help implement the mission of the paper, meaning its “purpose, ethics, accountability, as well as links to the community,” suggest to me the need for a publishing advisory board, one that represents a cross section of the community, rather than a single additional faculty advisor. Therefore, I intend to appoint a Publishing Advisory Board for the Communiqué, whose members will include one representative each from the faculty, the undergraduate student body, and the graduate student body, as well as the Vice President for Student Affairs and Dr. Tracy Johnson, Associate Academic Dean. The editor of the Communiqué and the faculty advisor, Professor Tony Norman, will serve as ex officio members of the Advisory Board. Lisa Weaver has agreed to chair the Advisory Committee, which will meet on a monthly basis and seek to address the mission of the paper, as addressed above, but not to interfere with the “independence necessary for a functional press”.

The past month has been a trying time for many members of the campus community. As students, staff and faculty begin dispersing for the holidays, I encourage each of you to heed the closing words from the Committee’s Report:

The strength of a community is its ability to value its members, acknowledge its shortcomings, and strive for improvements that will benefit individuals and the community as a whole.

When we return to campus in January, let each of us resolve to make realizing those goals our own commitment for the New Year.

In closing, I thank the Committee, and each of you who have been involved in bringing this recent history to a constructive conclusion which includes steps that I hope we can all agree will make us an even better University in the future.

Esther B.