Recent Conversations with Student Groups
Blog Post Thu, 01/17/2019 - 09:25As I wrote in my blog about Western’s top priorities for winter quarter, one of our top priorities for Winter 2019 is to understand and address the concerns and needs of students from marginalized identities.
Over the past couple of weeks, members of my administrative team and I have had conversations with several groups, including students representing some of Western’s LGBTQ+ clubs, and leaders from the Black Student Union, the Afro-Caribbean Club, the LatinX Student Club, the Native American Student Union, Undocumented Read more
Moving Forward in 2019
Blog Post Wed, 01/09/2019 - 13:41Dear Western Community:
Happy New Year, and welcome back to campus! I hope that you had a great holiday break, with ample opportunity to recharge and enjoy time with family and friends.
As we enter winter quarter and a new year, I’d like to share some of the priorities that are of highest importance to me, and invite you to share your thoughts, suggestions and questions on these priorities below. I hope you’ll check back often to learn about progress and share your suggestions as we move forward together in a spirit of determination to make lasting change Read more
Student-Led Forum Today in Fraser Hall 102 from 5:00 - 6:30 pm
Message to Campus Fri, 12/07/2018 - 12:19Dear Campus Community:
Earlier this week I sent a message about the sit-in at the President’s office conducted by over 200 students on Monday to raise critical concerns of students of color and students who hold intersecting marginalized identities. In that message I mentioned that there would be a follow-up dialogue on Friday, but did not provide specifics, since those details were not yet determined.
Today, Friday December 7th, there will be a student-led Read more
Regarding Yesterday's Student Demonstration: I Hear You
Message to Campus Tue, 12/04/2018 - 11:50Dear Western Campus Community:
Yesterday, approximately 200 students of color and other students of marginalized identities, along with their allies, conducted a sit-in for about six hours in the President’s office and the hallway of Old Main. Although I was in Seattle attending to other duties during the day, I joined them last night for about three hours of tough, but important, dialogue.
Much of what these students said about their experiences at Western was heart-breaking, especially the words of seniors who have experienced many of the same issues since they Read more
Update on Racist Vandalism on Campus
Message to Campus Mon, 12/03/2018 - 10:52Dear Campus Community,
I wrote to you after recent racist vandalism and hate-filled slurs appeared on campus. I’d like to take this opportunity to provide an update on activities since those incidents.
As many of you may have seen through an emailed campus advisory and media reports, a Western student was arrested by University Police on Sunday, November 25, 2018 in connection with the recent vandalism. As interim measures, the student, a resident of Western’s Birnam Wood apartment community on campus, was trespassed from all university housing and dining halls, and can Read more