Williams students, faculty and staff, I want to provide an update on the campus encampment and protests, the college’s engagement with the protestors and other stakeholders, and address some questions we’ve heard from the community thus far. To summarize recent history, last November, members of the… Continue reading »
Dear SJP/J4J, Thank you for meeting with me again this week, and for your latest message. I have discussed your latest proposal with Board leaders. On condition of your commitment to dismantle the encampment and not disturb Commencement, they and I are willing to invite all members of the Board… Continue reading »
Dear Williams students, faculty and staff, Early this morning, a group of students set up an encampment on the Williams Quad. They have communicated demands that the college commit to “Implement increased transparency and ethical practices across the college’s financial strategy,” and “Divest the college’s endowment from weapons manufacturers supplying… Continue reading »
Dear Williams students, faculty and staff, Protest encampments on college and university campuses have recently captured national attention. We have reason to believe that some Williams students may be considering a comparable action here. At Williams, we encourage students to use their minds, and their voices, to develop and express… Continue reading »
Dear Williams community, Yesterday, the College hosted the final program in a three-part series on the war in Gaza and the international context. Toward the end of the evening, students shouted down the speakers with loud chanting, only departing after several minutes of disruption. A few minutes later, two other… Continue reading »
To the Williams community, I write to share my usual summary of the recent Board of Trustees meeting. Last weekend, in addition to their working sessions, the Trustees joined faculty, students, staff, alumni and friends in celebrating the new Davis Center. During the weekend we also honored Professor Joseph… Continue reading »
Dear Students, We are reaching out with some thoughts about how our community is moving forward following last week’s tragedy. Reactions after loss vary. Crises of many kinds can disrupt one’s sense of predictability, security and safety. Restoring these feelings is important and happens in different ways for different people. Continue reading »
Williams faculty, students and staff, As promised in my Board summary email, I want to pay tribute to Keli Gail, Assistant to the President and Secretary of the College, who has announced her plan to retire this July. While this requires another long email in a week of such… Continue reading »
Williams students, faculty and staff, Over Winter Study I had the pleasure of co-teaching a course on higher education leadership and communications. It was a joy to explore ideas of mutual interest with some of our wonderful students. I was reminded, as I always am when I get back in… Continue reading »
Williams students, faculty and staff, It is my pleasure to invite you to attend Claiming Williams this Thursday, February 1, 2024. For those new to the college, Claiming Williams was created in 2008 when students, joined by staff and faculty,… Continue reading »