December 15, 2015
Dear Members of the Campus Community,
The conflict in Israel and Palestine is one of the most complex issues today, and one that we as a community have been discussing in classes, in programs and in forums over the last several months.
Last week, the student group Conn Students in Solidarity with Palestine (CSSP) placed posters around campus about an international travel program called Birthright. The program sponsors free travel to Israel for young Americans of Jewish descent.
We recognize CSSP’s right to share its perspective. Likewise, we acknowledge the right of members of the community to express their disagreement with the posters’ characterization of the Birthright program. We continue to work proactively to open up venues for further dialogue so that diverse points of view can be expressed. We are committed to supporting all members of our community as we navigate these and other complicated issues. We believe that a free and open exchange of ideas—especially on contentious issues of the day—is a hallmark of a vibrant institution and an essential part of a liberal arts education.
Sincerely,
Katherine Bergeron
President
Victor Arcelus
Dean of Students
David Canton
Interim Dean of Institutional Equity and Inclusion
Jefferson Singer
Dean of the College
Abby Van Slyck
Dean of the Faculty