Dear all, This morning we awoke to find extensive graffiti around and on Gordon Commons. This act of vandalism is an affront to our community and is unacceptable. Vandalism is a violation of college policy and is a crime under New York State Law. Given that, and the extent of the damage to college property, […]
Dear all,I am writing with updates about Vassar’s approach to the current challenges to higher education, and with an invitation. As you know, Vassar is a bold institution and always has been since its founding as a women’s college in 1861. Matthew Vassar had as his goal not only initiating a transformational women’s college but […]
Dear all,Yesterday, Vassar sponsored a speaker panel on Islamophobia and Antisemitism, which was open to the public and the Vassar community. The event was intended to foster a thoughtful and open conversation on the complex intersections of hate, speech, and identity. The panel was a part of the Engaged Pluralism Spring Series and focused on […]
As we continue our work into the Spring semester, we remain grateful for the many ways our community has engaged in ongoing dialogue, inquiry, and care for one another. As part of our ongoing commitment to dialogue and community learning, we invite everyone to attend upcoming events hosted by Engaged Pluralism (EP).
Dear all, In recent days, we have seen news coverage of international students and faculty members being detained by federal immigration personnel. Community members from Tufts, Columbia, Brown, Georgetown, University of Minnesota, and other schools have been affected. The Secretary of State has reported that more than 300 student visas have been revoked. We have […]
Dear all, This afternoon we became aware that stickers with threatening messaging and imagery of a Hamas leader and a weapon had been posted on campus. Stickers have been found and removed from the College Center and from restrooms in the library and Rockefeller Hall. Campus Safety staff is looking for any others and will […]
Dear all, I am writing in the context of recent communications from the Department of Education to colleges and universities nationwide and recent actions by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The pace and scope of change for higher education is remarkable, and it is critical that we as an institution steady our balance, understand the […]
Dear all, I am writing to update the campus in the context of the Department of Education’s recent correspondence, which was sent on February 14 to all K–12 and higher education institutions. The letter reminded institutions of federal anti-discrimination law—that one cannot confer or withhold educational benefits on the basis of race, color, or national […]
Dear All, Before the break, we wrote to introduce the campus climate group, Vassar’s new Title VI coordinator, and upcoming programming for the Spring Semester. The campus climate group, which came into existence in late Fall of 2024, continues to meet to address reported concerns as well as review national trends, research and current incidents, […]
Dear All, As the Fall semester comes to a close, we want to update the Vassar community about a number of proactive steps that the College has been taking to address various incidents affecting climate on campus. (We do not have updates on the recent graffiti incident, which remains under investigation.) These steps include the […]