A Letter from Dr. Kahan Sablo, Dean of Inclusive Excellence
Dear Bardians,
Welcome to the second edition of Diversity@Bard. In addition to sharing various campus DEI advancements, this issue will highlight DEI efforts within Bard’s academic programs. This newsletter acknowledges the current and future impact of our collective DEI efforts, to include structured assessment (data collection) initiatives, the utilization of collaborative DEI working groups, and the DEI impact of our talented faculty.
NATIONAL, STATE, AND LOCAL COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
The year 2020 was an emotional roller coaster for DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion). In addition to the obvious challenges to your Bardian experience, COVID-19 continues to devastate millions of homes, for example, forcing over 400,000 families to plan socially distanced funerals.
Although this impact was disproportionately felt in communities of color, we also celebrate the genius of Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett, a Black woman who played an instrumental role in the development of a COVID vaccine. However, Black scientists leading cutting-edge COVID research will not eradicate the historical distrust that some communities of color harbor for the American medical community. As an institution of higher learning, Bard will directly address these and similar concerns during our Black History Month celebration and in the Difference and Justice Symposium.
The new year was ushered in with blatant reminders of a concurrent global pandemic— systematic racism. Well-known White supremacist organizations, including a group that received “stand by” orders from the President of the United States during a national debate, coordinated and led an insurrection at the Capitol fueled by the venom of a defeated incumbent president. It’s difficult to comprehend some members of the law enforcement community posing for “selfies” while domestic terrorists entered the Capitol. Conversely, months earlier, the military was dispatched to terminate a peaceful Black Lives Matter demonstration to accommodate a presidential photo op holding a Bible he did not own, in front of a church he did not attend. Yet, even though our country remains extremely divided, I remain confident that the curricular and co-curricular experiences of a Bardian education will prepare our graduates to move the needle forward towards equity—both nationally and locally.
The Bard community began the academic year paying homage to the lives of George Floyd and many others assassinated by systemic racism. In response, as a condition of continued state funding, Governor Andrew Cuomo issued Executive Order 203 - New York State Police Reform and Reinvention Collaborative to open a dialogue between police departments and the citizens they are sworn to protect and serve.
Since members of the Bard community have such frequent interactions with the Red Hook Police Department, it is important that we support their compliance with this legal mandate. Therefore, I welcome all Bardians (students, faculty, staff , and alumnx) to complete this anonymous survey sharing your honest thoughts and experiences about interactions with Red Hook police officers. (Please do not comment on experiences with other agencies, this instrument is solely focused on the Red Hook Police Department). A Council for Inclusive Excellence (CIE) Community Relations Working Group has been established to engage in police relations and other campus/community issues.
ACADEMIC DEI ENGAGEMENT
Dr. Michael Sadowski, Director of Inclusive Pedagogy and Curriculum in the Office of the Dean of the College, is continuing to work with all academic programs to establish and/or review DEI statements. Faculty are committed to turning DEI statements into DEI action. Yes, there is still work to be done. However, progress is being made in both the curriculum and in faculty hiring.
The recruitment and retention of a representative faculty is of paramount importance. Our academic leaders have affirmed diversity as one of many salient priorities for faculty hiring. The outcome of this intentionality will be seen this semester and next when a new cadre of diverse scholars and professionals join our campus as contributors to the rigorous Bard curriculum. With their arrival, we celebrate the work of search committees and community members who have dedicated long hours to finding and recruiting excellent new colleagues.
The presence of an accomplished, caring, and diverse faculty is essential to the academic success of Bard students. All members of the community are encouraged to participate in the faculty evaluation process this (and every) semester.
If you would like to submit a letter to the evaluation file of a faculty member scheduled to be evaluated this semester, it should be signed and sent campus mail to the Office of the Dean of the College or via e-mail as an attachment with electronic signature to [email protected] by Wednesday, February 17.
SELECTED DEI UPDATES
Bard College continues to work towards the dismantling of racist structures within the institution. Although these processes don’t always move as quickly as desired, appeals for the decolonization of various curricula, the confrontation of inappropriate behavior, and the demand for a more diverse campus community have been heard. Yes, progress has been made. Yes, more progress is needed.
Campus teams continue to advance DEI initiatives. For example, the CIE continues to deploy working groups to strategically address DEI challenges. The Community Relations Working Group of the CIE is connecting the College with efforts for economic and racial justice locally. To date, the Bard Student Emergency Fund has assisted 275 students who were experiencing financial challenges. This team works in concert with the SCALE Project to assist students with essential financial needs.
We congratulate Mr. David Lindholm for his recent appointment as Interim Director of Athletics. He has already shown remarkable commitment to the DEI needs of the department. We look forward to supporting his DEI leadership during this period of transition. The 122 Consulting Firm has been contracted to perform an athletic climate assessment and make recommendations in support of a more inclusive community within athletics and recreation. Since this was the original charge of the Athletic Coalition, to avoid the duplication of efforts, we will temporarily suspend Athletic Coalition meetings until the climate assessment has been completed.
Although ownership for addressing athletic DEI challenges is a Bard faculty/staff responsibility, we remain interested in hearing different voices throughout that process. If you desire to participate in any of the newly commissioned athletic working groups, please contact David Lindholm directly.
Also, as the Athletic Department DEI liaison, I will continue to collaborate with partner institutions in the Liberty League to advocate for league-level policies to manage acts of racism during NCAA competitions. If a bias-related incident occurs during a competition, students and athletes are entitled to a fair, swift, and supportive response from those who govern intercollegiate competitions.
We celebrate the wisdom of Dr. Christian Crouch, Associate Professor of History and Director of American studies, for endowing us with the cultural humility needed to acknowledge the homeland of the Munsee and Muhheaconneeok people. As Dr. Crouch prepares for a new deanship, the CIE Land Acknowledgment Working Group will continue promoting mindfulness of the sacred geographical footprint of the Bard campus. Please consider beginning all campus meetings with a land acknowledgment. More importantly, engage yourself in actions that honor the Munsee and Muhheaconneeok people and recognize their continuing presence in their homelands.
The President’s Commission on Racial Equity and Social Justice worked tirelessly during the fall semester. This Commission will continue its work throughout the spring semester. The Bard community is to be commended for its commitment to the successful completion of the HEDS Diversity Survey. This nationally standardized instrument, when combined with the qualitative data garnered from the Town Hall meetings and other campus assessments, will provide a solid foundation for data-driven recommendations to enhance the College’s DEI work in long-term, sustainable ways.
Having just completed my one year anniversary at Bard, I remain excited about the many DEI opportunities ahead of us. Diversity is not the role of one person. It is a commitment that an entire community makes to appreciate, celebrate, and advocate equitably for all of its members.
Best wishes on the start of a new semester.
Dr. Kahan Sablo,
Dean of Inclusive Excellence
