December 7, 2023

Dear students,

Earlier this morning, you received a message from President Salovey that outlines Yale’s existing and new efforts to support the university’s Arab, Jewish, Muslim, and Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) communities. If you have not read it yet, I urge you to do so. You can find it on the Office of the President website.

Among the support announced by President Salovey are the formation of two advisory committees, one to support Yale’s Jewish community and one to support Yale’s MENA and Muslim communities; actions to increase security on campus; a commitment to increase staffing and space for MENA students; and more support for students who keep kosher. In addition, the Belonging at Yale Initiative will be expanding its training opportunities for recognizing and combating both Islamophobia and antisemitism.

In the new year, Yale College will create more space for MENA cultural activities and begin a search for an assistant director of student engagement focused on MENA life. The College will also continue to strengthen its partnership with the Joseph Slifka Center for Jewish Life at Yale.

I share President Salovey’s belief in the importance of open, civil discourse and respect for one another as members of this community of learning. As we approach the end of this challenging semester, I thank you for caring for one another and for your efforts to make Yale inclusive for everyone.

Sincerely,

Pericles Lewis  
Dean of Yale College  
Douglas Tracy Smith Professor of Comparative Literature   
Professor of English