I am writing on a Wednesday this week. That’s unusual. The reason is simple. The time since Halloween weekend has been a very difficult one across all of Yale College. Many people, myself included, have been involved in numerous events, group discussions, and involved in many individual conversations. Of course there are other issues in the college that arise and to which I must attend. Ordinarily I write notes on Sunday, but honestly, save for sleeping and a trip to the dentist I’ve not had a chance to stop.
We held a Trumbull meeting last Friday evening in our FARR room to hear your views and to strive, as best as we can, to provide some support. I am grateful to and thank Dean B, Frederick and Kathy Lawrence, and all of the students who participated for joining in that conversation. I am further grateful to many of you who have talked with me individually. You’ve been open. You’ve been thoughtful. You’ve been constructive. I’ve gotten to know many of you far better than I had previously and I’ve learned a great deal. I’ve heard pain, anger, many ideas and uncertainties as well. People from different groups, socioeconomic backgrounds and from different cultures have experienced the events of the past week and a half in different ways. I believe no one has been untouched by these events. Some of you want a break from talking about and explaining your feelings (while still wishing to think and process all that has occurred). Others wish to talk, ask questions and explain feelings. We’ll hold another discussion session this week, tomorrow evening in the FARR room. (See below).
This past Monday both Dean B and I attended the event on Cross Campus. I have to say that the nature and spirit of that event buoyed me, really buoyed me. It provided me new energy (which I admit to needing) and, importantly, new optimism for the days to come. Meetings with Dean Holloway also have buoyed me. He is listening. He is thoughtful. We’ll make progress.
In the midst of all of this I urge you, as I always do but now do with extra urgency, to take care of yourselves. Get sleep. Eat well. Get exercise even if it’s only going on a walk with someone as you talk about these issues. Spend time with friends. Both Dean B and I are available to talk with you. Make an appointment if you wish. Know that many students have done just that.
Additional Meetings this Week Our Freshman Counselors will be holding a get together to discuss the ongoing issues on campus in Bingham Hall with our Trumbull Freshmen. This will probably occur on Thursday. They will be in touch with our freshman class members. I will open the FARR room again for discussion on Thursday evening beginning at 8 p.m. There will be food. I’ll be there. All are welcome, freshmen too of course, to come and stay for as long as you wish.
One of our students asked if I might provide some readings regarding what is known about the stress associated with being the target of racism and also with being in a majority group and being thought of as possibly being racist and worrying about that. That’s easy enough to do. I’ll print off some relevant papers and make them available to you in our Trum-brary as well as in the FARR room.
Note that the author of some of the most important work in this area, Professor Jennifer Richeson from Northwestern University, has accepted a faculty position at Yale University and will join us soon. Jennifer will be my own colleague in the psychology department and all those in the department are thrilled that she’ll be joining us. Jennifer Richeson is known not only for her research on just these issues, but also for being a wonderful teacher and research mentor and person. (In addition to being an accomplished fellow, she is also a member of the National Academy of Science; she’s a MacArthur and a Guggenheim fellow.)
Jennifer’s husband, Burgwell Howard is already here serving as a Dean. Dean Howard has been working hard these past two weeks, harder than, I imagine, he could ever have imagined. He’s been everywhere – at the meetings in the cultural houses, at the events on Cross Campus and in Silliman, at the march and celebration of solidarity on Cross Campus, at the Buckley meetings etc. etc.). You’ll recognize him. Please take a moment to welcome him to Yale! Indeed, I urge you to thank everyone in our community – fellow students, your professors, the heads of our cultural houses, Dean Holloway, Dean Howard, whomever, you’ve found, has been supportive and helpful to you personally. There are many good people here. Whether there have been mis-steps that have irritated you or not (and there are always mis-steps – we’re all human), leaders like the rest of us can use support (as well as advice and feedback which are also welcome). I’m going to do this myself today. There are many people I need to thank.
An opening in our art gallery
Last evening we had an opening of a show in our art gallery. Brooke Williams, spouse of resident fellow Prof. Williams, quilts have been hung there. They are beautiful. Do visit the show. Thank you Brooke!