As we begin a new academic year, many of us have already witnessed incidents in which students have been harassed because of real or perceived differences with regard to race, gender, sexual orientation, and other dimensions of identity. We deplore such incidents, because they undermine the vision of equality and justice toward which we strive as a community. Therefore, we encourage all members of our community to review and consider our values regarding difference and diversity: What kind of place do we want Colby to be?

1 Colby College is dedicated to the education of humane, thoughtful, and engaged persons prepared to respond to the challenges of an increasingly diverse and global society and to the issues of justice that arise therein.

2 The College also is committed to fostering a fully inclusive campus community, enriched by persons of different races, gender identities, ethnicities, nationalities, economic backgrounds, ages, abilities, sexual orientations, political beliefs, and spiritual values.

3 We strive to confront and overcome actions and attitudes that discourage the widest possible range of participation in our community, and we seek to deepen our understanding of diversity in our daily relationships and in our dealings as an institution. Colby Diversity Link

We are all responsible for making Colby a place where everyone is treated fairly. Through dialogue, awareness, understanding, and reconciliation, our differences can serve as opportunities for learning and growth, instead of excuses for inflicting pain and suffering on others.

To this end, the Pugh Center and the Office of the Dean of Students, in collaboration with the Multicultural Affairs and Race and Racism Committees, are launching a Speak Up: Ways to Fight Bigotry campaign. This is one of the many efforts planned throughout the year to remind us of our individual and collective roles in building a just and inclusive community. We encourage everyone to participate fully in this campaign, and to engage in other ways to foster justice and fairness at Colby College and beyond.

Thank you.

Office of the Dean of Students The Pugh Center The Multicultural Affairs Committee The Race and Racism Committee