A group of students dance outside a dorm in a common space.

Photo by AnnAnn Puttithanasorn ’23

Inclusive Excellence

We embrace plurality, respect divergent viewpoints, and are committed to understanding the rich spectrum of experiences that comprise our community.

A woman in a red varsity jacket sits at a baby grand piano, playing.

Photo by AnnAnn Puttithanasorn ’23

Our Mission

Inclusive Excellence at Bard seeks to materialize our commitment to plurality, dialogue, and rigorous study. We strive to create a learning environment that upholds the College’s mission to meaningfully include the voices, works, and ideas of communities and cultures representing the plurality of people that make up the Bard community. Inclusive Excellence at Bard aims to work at the systemic as well as the interpersonal level to address the implicit and explicit ways discrimination impacts the learning process.

Who Does the Work of Inclusive Excellence at Bard?

Inclusive Excellence is an institutional mission at Bard College, tasking all of us with doing the work of furthering that mission. Fostering a more inclusive campus is an effort shared by those who live and work at the College—students, faculty, and staff. That work is led up by the Office of the Dean of Inclusive Excellence. Whether you are a student, faculty, or staff, we welcome you to reach out to us at any time.

Dean of the College Deirdre D’Albertis addresses first generation graduates at an indoor reception.

Dean of the College Deirdre D’Albertis addresses first generation graduates at a reception. Photo by Joseph Nartey ’26

Council for Inclusive Excellence

The Council for Inclusive Excellence (CIE) serves as a central hub for discussions about inclusivity at Bard. Students, faculty, and staff volunteer or are appointed annually to serve on the Council. The Council serves as a communication nexus for concerns, projects, and initiatives requiring campus-wide collaboration for success. The CIE operates from the belief that the institutional transformation for greater inclusion requires systemic change. This systemic change is most successful when the people within an institution collaborate to work, support, and care for the holistic needs of the campus community.

Learn More About the CIE →

A Commitment to Inclusivity

In the Classroom

Our curriculum encourages students to deepen their understanding of inclusive excellence through the Difference and Justice distribution requirement and Engaged Liberal Arts and Sciences courses. The Center for Faculty and Curricular Development, the Office of the Dean of the College, and working groups in Bard’s four academic divisions have all focused on creating well-attended seminars and retreats on inclusive pedagogy, inclusive syllabi, and in-service trainings for navigating difficult conversations and sensitive readings.
Inclusive Hiring

Bard College is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, mental, or physical disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, familial status, veteran status, or genetic information. Bard is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for all individuals in employment practices, services, programs, and activities.

Reporting

We encourage members of the Bard community to make the College aware of any instances of discrimination or harassment.

Reports can be made to the College using the Bard College Incident Reporting Form or the Title IX Reporting Form, or by calling the Dean of Inclusive Excellence at 845-758-7492. Any emergency should be reported to Campus Safety and Security at 845-758-7777.