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Charge

Reporting to and appointed by President Stritikus, the Presidential Advisory Group on Community and Dialogue identifies initiatives and activities to strengthen the campus community within the areas of focus listed below.

These and other areas of focus are described in more detail in the College’s Plan for Building Community and Promoting Dialogue.

1. Developing Forums for Dialogue and Exchange of Ideas. The Presidential Advisory Group will review the report and recommendations of Interfaith America, the Community cornerstone of the College’s mission statement, and other relevant materials, and identify a new program or several new activities that the College can launch this year, beginning in the Fall 2024 semester. This program and/or activities should be designed to promote inter-group dialogue and bridge-building among students, faculty, and staff. The Presidential Advisory Group may also recommend initiatives to promote informed discourse and expression more broadly, and may offer perspectives on institutional statements.
2. Educational Outreach. The Presidential Advisory Group will help identify and develop educational materials and opportunities aimed at preventing bias and harassment, in light of the current crisis in the Middle East and related climate issues.
3. Community Engagement. The Presidential Advisory Group will help to identify, vet, and promote opportunities for students and employees to become involved in philanthropic and community-based activities, with the goal of mitigating suffering related to the Israel-Hamas War and humanitarian crisis. 

Structure

The Presidential Advisory Group is expected to convene regularly throughout the 2024-25 academic year. They will report to the President at least once a month and make recommendations for concrete actions. The Presidential Advisory Group should have student, faculty, and staff representatives, including those who may approach the underlying issues from different perspectives and are committed to engaging in constructive dialogue despite their differences. The President will solicit recommendations for student and faculty representatives from ASOC and Faculty Council, respectively. One of two Presidential Advisory Group members will be selected to lead the efforts in each of the three categories set forth above. The group may also invite visitors from different constituencies to provide information and perspective or to attend individual sessions. The President requests that the Presidential Advisory Group provide a brief report (3-5 pages) before the end of the Fall 2024 semester, summarizing their observations, actions, recommendations, and any tangible outcomes from this work.