Dear students:
Welcome back to the snow-covered streets of Hamilton, New York! As I look to the New Year, I have asked myself, what does it mean to be part of the Colgate family? And are the “ties that bind” us strong enough to withstand campus unrest and protest? I believe our differences can make us stronger, provided we treat each other with dignity and respect – especially when we disagree, or when our beliefs and values are challenged. It is our humanity that will unite us and that will help us find the moral common ground to create a Colgate for all.
A diverse and inclusive environment is fundamental to a liberal education and a just and democratic way of life. But diversity doesn’t create inclusion. Inclusion occurs when we value respectful interaction with each other, regardless of one’s background or beliefs. A liberal education requires that we explore a range of subject areas more deeply and that we question pre-conceived notions about our world. A liberal education helps us consider opposing viewpoints, analyze the merits of an argument, and confront stereotypical thinking. Theoretically, this makes sense but what does it mean in real-time, when our values and way of life are challenged? This is when the hard work begins.
On a personal level, it has been uncomfortable for me to examine what I believe, who I am, and how our university and society operate. Self-examination begets personal vulnerability because we may not have the answers, nor may we fully understand another person’s experience. In response, we seek out the familiar and attempt to restore a sense of order. But for me, I know that change can also be liberating if I don’t allow my discomfort and assumptions to get in the way of my need to listen, to consider new ideas, and to be respectful and caring in my relationships.
At Colgate, many have heard the call for improving the campus climate, and several good initiatives are underway related to faculty and staff skill development, curricular innovation, student engagement and programming, and institutional leadership and support. As your dean, I long to be able to report, “all is well, and we will have these problems addressed soon.” But that is not true because cultural change happens over time. That should not mean that we wring our hands in despair and say it is too difficult to change ourselves, or Colgate.
We can embrace the events of the fall, consider what they mean for our own personal development, and stay open to the work that we began together. We can have a strong Colgate family, where we look out for each other, during times of agreement and conflict. I believe that we can build a Colgate that is a caring and an inclusive place for all.
Sincerely,
Dean Nelson