Dear Parents and Families,
It is hard to believe that Fall Term has come to a close! I was teaching a half-term (5 week) course myself this fall, and was amazed at how fast the weeks flew by. It was wonderful to have the opportunity to get to know a group of Carleton students in a different and more intensive way. Though I already knew, of course, that Carleton students are smart, curious, and interesting, I was still very impressed by the students in my course, “Fictional Worlds,” and the caliber of discussion we were able to have. I enjoyed hearing them make fluid connections with other courses and topics, which showed not only the depth of their curiosity but also the range of fields and disciplines they are exposed to in a broad liberal arts curriculum. It was easy to see why faculty love to teach here.
I am happy to share a few updates from our busy fall term. At its recent fall meeting, the Board of Trustees approved our Residential Life and Housing Plan’s Phase I, which involves the building of new townhouses on Lilac Hill, the replacement of some existing houses along Union Street, and the creation of a Black center and multicultural center. We have been soliciting student feedback and keeping the campus community updated on progress with this project, which will enhance the range of living options we offer to students and provided needed community space.
As you may have heard, the Board meetings were accompanied by an ongoing protest by students from Divest Carleton, who occupied the Weitz Center from Thursday through Sunday. They spoke at one of the trustee committee meetings, and engaged many trustees in individual conversations. I know that the Board recognized and respected the passion and commitment represented by their presence. The Board has been engaged over the past year in continued discussion of the topic of divestment from fossil fuels, and members of the Board Investment Committee have met with members of CRIC (the Carleton Responsible Investment Committee), the Divest Carleton student group, and the Divest Carleton alumni group. They have also undertaken some analysis of the approaches taken by other institutions, and the possible impact of divestment on the endowment. The Board intends to bring this issue to a vote in February.
Finally, if you had a chance to read my recent message about Carleton 2033, you know that we have launched a college-wide strategic planning process that is now underway. With so many changes having taken place in the world of higher education over the last several years, this is a very good time to take stock of what we are doing well at Carleton, and what we think we could do differently or better in the future. We will be seeking your input in a variety of ways in the coming months.
I hope that you enjoy having your student home for Thanksgiving, and the break that follows. When my own daughter was a Carleton student, I appreciated not having to send her back and forth twice within a month, as is the case with the typical semester calendar. That said, I know that by the time the Winter Break is over, students are usually feeling ready to come back!
All best wishes for the coming holiday season,