To: Wellesley College Community
From: President Paula A. Johnson
Re: My reflections in this painful time
Date: October 20, 2023
This is an exceedingly challenging time on college campuses. The terrorist attacks by Hamas, the ensuing Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, and the tremendous loss of Israeli and Palestinian civilian lives have inflamed passions and sparked fierce debates around the world that go far beyond the politics and history of the region.
Last week, I issued a statement to the community in which I strongly condemned the terrorist attack by Hamas and the taking of hostages and indiscriminate murdering of civilians.
I write today to share how we are addressing these issues here at Wellesley and to reflect on the profound questions this crisis raises about how we fulfill our mission of providing a liberal education to our diverse community of students.
It recently came to my attention that a small number of student residence hall leaders from one dormitory sent a letter to their housemates in their capacity as resident assistants that expressed views on the Israel-Hamas conflict. Our Student Life team met with these students and talked about their role and responsibility to support all students. They have since sent an apology to all students in the residence hall. That these young leaders were able to learn from this episode gives me hope.
As president of Wellesley, I have often spoken about inclusive excellence and the importance of listening and learning across difference. Today, I feel even more strongly that this work is more necessary than ever and requires significant effort, focus, and courage.
Complex conflicts of this nature call us to rededicate ourselves to the purposes of a liberal education. Members of our faculty are using this moment to explain the complicated history and politics of this conflict to our students. Two professors who specialize in the history of the region and in global politics are partnering with the Albright Institute to lead a teaching session for the community next week.
Our stellar team in our Office of Religious and Spiritual Life continues to offer unwavering support to all our students.
The role of educators has rarely been more urgent, nor its core more clear: a commitment to teach students to learn across difference and listen to divergent perspectives while providing the ethical foundations and moral compass that allow them to recognize the basics of our common humanity. This is essential for Wellesley, for democracy, and for our world—and we are dedicated to this work.
