Update from Special Committee on University Climate, Diversity and Inclusion

Dear Members of the Syracuse University Community:

We visited campus over two days this week and participated in 20 dialogue sessions with groups of students, faculty and other members of our campus community.

We learned a great deal from these candid and direct conversations about so many lived experiences on campus today—both commonly shared and uniquely personal—and we are grateful to those who participated. This dialogue is a critical component of our work.

We heard a number of themes relating to campus safety, residential life, communications and curriculum matters. Many individuals and groups also shared painful experiences, as well as aspirations, that are important for us to consider as a board as we assess the current and ongoing needs of all members of a diverse Syracuse University community. These sessions helped us understand the importance of continuing to take proactive measures to address these concerns and highlighted that the Board of Trustees should consider steps to facilitate effective ongoing board oversight and accountability in these areas. We intend to incorporate this input into our report and recommendations.

Next week, the Independent Advisory Panel supporting this effort will be conducting the first of its series of campus listening sessions. Members of our committee will be also back on campus in April for more dialogue sessions. You should also expect to receive more information about a campus climate survey to be launched in a few weeks.

This deliberate but intensive process is crucial to helping Syracuse University achieve a shared vision of national leadership in diversity and inclusion.

Thank you for your continued commitment, engagement and candor.

Richard Alexander, Jeffrey Scruggs, Kathy Walters, Larry Kramer and Rey Pascual
Members of the Special Committee on University Climate, Diversity and Inclusion