Hobart and William Smith is committed to fostering an intellectual and engaged community that values and celebrates a wide spectrum of differences. We envision a community that goes beyond tolerance of difference to become one of inclusive excellence – one that is guided by the principles of equity, social justice, cultural competence and engaged citizenship. We believe that inclusivity is essential to achieving the standards of excellence to which we aspire.
Inclusive excellence is organized around a concept of diversity that is historically situated and includes multiple social and cultural identities. Its goal is to foster the excellence of all community members and promote meaningful interactions and relationships with diverse peoples and perspectives, both on and off our campus.
In working to create an intellectual environment that benefits students, faculty and staff, Hobart and William Smith is committed to an educational model that addresses the needs of a pluralistic and democratic society. To implement this model, it is critical to remember the importance of establishing a campus community that reflects the diverse society in which we live.
To that end, we are committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse population of students, faculty and staff and reflecting that diversity in our curriculum. We endorse programs and centers on campus that host speakers and visiting scholars of different races, ethnicities, religions, sexual orientations, abilities and political ideas.
We are committed to making our campus a community which promotes a culture of inclusion in which all feel valued, respected and supported to perform to their full potential. Every individual at Hobart and William Smith has a responsibility in this endeavor.
Whereas, The strategic plan of Hobart and William Smith Colleges, HWS 2005, state that the Colleges are committed to strengthening our diverse community; and
Whereas, Recent administrative and faculty efforts underway in this regard are to be supported and commended; and
Whereas, It is important that all members of the Colleges' community assume responsibility for this imperative; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Trustees of Hobart and William Smith Colleges reaffirm the critical nature of faculty, staff, and student diversity and directs the President to report annually to the Trustees on efforts taken to strengthen diversity as well as expectations for the future.
