A Message from the President
October 10, 2023
To the Bard College Community:
The Fall Semester break at Bard ends today. Before classes resume tomorrow, I want to acknowledge the violence that erupted this past weekend in Israel and Palestine. I wish to extend my sympathy to those in our community who are overcome with grief. The College condemns all violence and brutality and our sympathies are with victims, their families and communities. The brutality of the attacks by Hamas against innocent civilians, including children and families, cannot be condoned or justified. Neither can a retaliation whose primary victims are civilians. I recognize that many members of our community here, in Israel and in Palestine have family and loved ones directly affected by this horrific phase of the ongoing conflict in the region. It is tragic that the conflict shows little sign of abating. Bard reaffirms our long-standing educational partnership and solidarity with our Palestinian students and colleagues at Al-Quds University and our colleagues and students in Israel, and extends to all of them our help and our hope that they remain safe.
The rejection of violence is a basic principle not only of Bard College, but of all colleges, universities, and places of education. In keeping with its mission as a place of teaching and learning, the College’s focus must remain on education as a long-term strategy for providing a better future for all. Education must strengthen the use of language, dialogue, and the rule of law as means to end violence, not only in the Middle East but elsewhere in the world, including the United States.
As an academic institution, we will encourage activities and events here in Annandale that help contextualize what is happening in the region, and recognize that that will entail the expression of a diversity of opinions. But now I write to recognize the wide range of emotions that the events have sparked and to encourage members of our community to engage one another with civility and respect. I encourage students to seek out the support services that are available and to connect directly with faculty and advisors as well as with fellow students.
All members of the college community are invited to an Interfaith Candlelight Vigil for Israel/Palestine, hosted by the Bard Chaplaincy on Wednesday 10/11 at 8:00 pm at the Chapel. The Dean of Students Office, academic programs, and various student groups are organizing a variety of additional events that will be open to all in the coming days.
We encourage students to take advantage of the following support services:
Cordially,
Leon Botstein
Post Date: 10-10-2023
To the Bard College Community:
The Fall Semester break at Bard ends today. Before classes resume tomorrow, I want to acknowledge the violence that erupted this past weekend in Israel and Palestine. I wish to extend my sympathy to those in our community who are overcome with grief. The College condemns all violence and brutality and our sympathies are with victims, their families and communities. The brutality of the attacks by Hamas against innocent civilians, including children and families, cannot be condoned or justified. Neither can a retaliation whose primary victims are civilians. I recognize that many members of our community here, in Israel and in Palestine have family and loved ones directly affected by this horrific phase of the ongoing conflict in the region. It is tragic that the conflict shows little sign of abating. Bard reaffirms our long-standing educational partnership and solidarity with our Palestinian students and colleagues at Al-Quds University and our colleagues and students in Israel, and extends to all of them our help and our hope that they remain safe.
The rejection of violence is a basic principle not only of Bard College, but of all colleges, universities, and places of education. In keeping with its mission as a place of teaching and learning, the College’s focus must remain on education as a long-term strategy for providing a better future for all. Education must strengthen the use of language, dialogue, and the rule of law as means to end violence, not only in the Middle East but elsewhere in the world, including the United States.
As an academic institution, we will encourage activities and events here in Annandale that help contextualize what is happening in the region, and recognize that that will entail the expression of a diversity of opinions. But now I write to recognize the wide range of emotions that the events have sparked and to encourage members of our community to engage one another with civility and respect. I encourage students to seek out the support services that are available and to connect directly with faculty and advisors as well as with fellow students.
All members of the college community are invited to an Interfaith Candlelight Vigil for Israel/Palestine, hosted by the Bard Chaplaincy on Wednesday 10/11 at 8:00 pm at the Chapel. The Dean of Students Office, academic programs, and various student groups are organizing a variety of additional events that will be open to all in the coming days.
We encourage students to take advantage of the following support services:
- Counseling Services drop-in hours are scheduled Wednesday 2:00-3:30 pm, Thursday 10:00 am -3:30 pm, and Friday 2:00 -4:30 pm.
- The Dean of Students office staff is inviting students to drop in during office hours this week (Wednesday - Friday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm) in Sottery Hall.
- Counseling Services and the Administrator-on-call are available 24-hours a day by calling Security at +1-845-758-7460.
Cordially,
Leon Botstein
Post Date: 10-10-2023