The message below was sent to the Bryn Mawr College community on April 13, 2018.
Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff:
As promised, I am writing to update you on the History Working Group’s efforts.
The Working Group – comprised of trustees, alumnae, students, faculty, and staff – has spent this semester reviewing archival documents, considering the social and intellectual contexts of the College’s founding, learning about M. Carey Thomas and her vision for Bryn Mawr, listening to community members’ opinions and experiences, and informing ourselves about how other colleges and universities have addressed their institutional histories of racism and exclusion.
We have heard from many hundreds of alumnae, faculty, staff, and students through formal listening sessions, letters, emails, and informal conversations. We value the many perspectives that members of our community shared with us. They have helped to inform and guide our questions thus far. You can find out more about the activities of the Working Group and see what we’ve been reading on our webpage.
If you have not already done so, please offer your suggestions and perspective for consideration by the Working Group by April 15. You can do this by directly contacting a member of the Working Group or by writing to BMCHistory@brynmawr.edu.
The Board of Trustees has asked us to present our recommendations at the Board meeting on April 27-28. On May 1, these recommendations will be shared with the community. The Board is committed to giving the recommendations a thorough review and has set aside time in the spring and early summer for full and careful discussion.
I am grateful for the community's support of our work. You have offered challenging questions, creative suggestions, and stories about what Bryn Mawr has been for you and what it means to you. All of it has been helpful in advancing our work together.
Jennifer L. Walters
Dean of the Undergraduate College