While it is highly unfortunate that society, including many college campuses, has experienced a significant increase in hateful acts, it should not deter us from our mission.Students undergo a transformation during their college years that extends far beyond the classroom. Higher education is uniquely poised to take advantage of plentiful, meaningful, teachable moments as we play our part in shaping the future generations of citizens.
In response to bias acts that occurred in the fall, Westfield State moved forward with installing additional security cameras. During the semester break for the holidays, more than 400 video surveillance cameras were installed throughout the campus to augment the University’s safety and security efforts. I thank the Board of Trustees for unanimously approving the significant resources to allow this project to move forward. Although we realize this measure may not serve as a fool-proof solution to prevent future bias acts, we hope the additional surveillance will serve as a deterrent.
In addition to increased security and safety measures, much has been done to drive conversations on race and other topics related to bias. This spring, we introduced a six-week series of intergroup dialogue. Originally offered as a one-time professional development session for faculty and staff, both the topic and the facilitators were well-received. We are fortunate to expand the benefit to a group of faculty and staff for the six-week series.
Driven by the Division of Academic Affairs, the University’s “Higher Ed/Higher Ground” lecture series has brought to campus an impressive slate of speakers who have concentrated their presentations or lectures to race, ethnicity, religious, gender, sexual orientation and other biases that come into play on university campuses across the country. Our most recent lecturer was former Westfield State Professor of Psychology Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum, author of Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? and other books and publications that underscore the importance of conversations of race in America.
In addition, we welcomed diversity and inclusion consultant Dr. William Lewis, who spent a week on campus, talking to groups and individuals about their experiences at Westfield State University. Dr. Lewis will complete the assessment of the University and provide his recommendations on best-practice programs and infrastructure to help guide us in our pursuit of inclusive excellence.
A classroom education, supplemented by socialization, participation in clubs and organizations, internships, service learning and research, to name a few, enable students to learn much about the world; and in turn, even more about themselves. A diverse environment and exposure to conversations covering a variety of perspectives and viewpoints provide an incomparable teaching aid in human development. When students see other cultures, learn other traditions, and explore the values of other ethnicities, they become more prepared to serve the world around them.
We humbly ask alumni to continue to support and play your part in your alma mater’s mission to foster an educational community that respects the individuality and right of each person to pursue a college degree in a safe and supportive environment.
