Dear Scripps College Students, Faculty, and Staff,
We write to follow up on our December 15 letter in which the senior team committed to actions to address institutional racism and create a more supportive climate for students of color and other marginalized groups at Scripps College. Diversity and inclusion was a focus topic at our semi-annual senior staff retreat last week, and we discussed next steps for implementing the aforementioned commitments and ensuring regular, transparent communication with the Scripps community on these issues throughout the spring semester.
In December, we shared a comprehensive list of recommendations, proposals, and demands received from various groups who have been involved in the dialogue about diversity and inclusion: the President’s Advisory Committee on Diversity and Inclusion (PACDI), students of color who presented to the Board of Trustees Student Affairs Committee, students who met with the interim president, and students who presented a list of demands at the community forum.
As mentioned in our previous letter, we have committed to move forward on a specified list of actions this semester. To allow for clear, streamlined updates and communication, we have attached a chart organizing our commitments according to the following areas of focus: Student Support and Resources, Education and Accountability, Curriculum, Enrollment, and Consortial Policies. The chart summarizes the senior team’s commitments for the spring 2016 semester, identifying the lead vice president(s), and providing an update on status and action items.
We are committed to continuing our dialogue with students and to providing regular updates to keep the entire community apprised as we work on shared College and student priorities. Strategies to broaden our communication and keep the community informed include:
- Restructuring the IDEA website to serve as the hub for all communications and resources related to diversity and inclusion;
- Establishing an IDEA newsletter emailed to all students, faculty, and staff with upcoming educational opportunities, diversity and inclusion resources, news, and information; and
- Senior team member meetings with student groups and PACDI representatives to provide updates and seek input and engage in collaborative action.
Students initiated contact with members of the senior team this week, requesting meetings to follow up on our December discussion. Each team member will work with the students to schedule conversations related to the action items for which they have been designated as leads. We are looking forward to working collaboratively with the entire community to advance our mutual goals of a more inclusive and supportive community.
Sincerely,
Amy Marcus-Newhall, Interim President
Michael Archibald, Vice President for Institutional Advancement
Dean Calvo, Vice President for Business Affairs and Treasurer
Binti Harvey, Vice President for Marketing and Communications
Charlotte Johnson, Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students
Julia Liss, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty
Denise Nelson Nash, Vice President and Secretary of the Board
Victoria Romero, Vice President for Enrollment