Dear parents and guardians of first-year students,
As students focus on the logistics of move-in and the opening days, I have urged them to start thinking also about the values and standards of the community they are now joining. What follows are resources they can use to understand the university's policies about free expression and its resources for fostering a community of respect and belonging. Orientation will offer students plenty of opportunities to learn more and ask questions, and they will always be able to get guidance if they ever need it.
And whether or not you will be on campus this weekend, I send you my best wishes for move-in weekend and the year ahead.
Sincerely,
Hannah Peck
Associate Dean of Student Affairs
Yale College
(she/her)
August 16, 2024
Dear Class of 2028,
During your first weeks on campus, much of your time will be devoted to getting settled, choosing classes, and sorting out the logistics for this important transition. Just as important, this is also a time to start thinking about the community you are joining and learning about its values and standards.
Like other universities, Yale is a community that depends on the free exchange of ideas. It brings together scholars from around the world and from every walk of life, all in the pursuit of knowledge. You will encounter new ideas here, and you will also meet new people and discover new perspectives, not just from your classes but also from each other.
To make sure that everyone has the opportunity to express themselves, hear each other's views, and have access to campus resources, the university provides guidance through its policies on free expression. It also asks that you engage with others respectfully, even those with whom you disagree. To help you as you orient yourselves in these opening days and weeks, here are some especially important resources:
FREE EXPRESSION
Yale’s longstanding policies to support the free expression of ideas are available in the Woodward Report.
Earlier this week, the Office of the Secretary provided additional guidance about Free Expression and Peaceable Assembly.
DISCRIMINATION AND HARASSMENT
Yale is committed to maintaining a non-discriminatory learning and working environment for students, faculty, and staff.
To support this commitment, the Office of Institutional Equity & Accessibility provides standards, resources to the community.
Also available to you are Discrimination and Harassment Resource Coordinators, who receive concerns and offer advice and guidance about diversity and inclusion, discrimination and harassment, retaliation, and equal opportunity.
TITLE IX
Yale’s commitment to fostering an environment of respect and belonging involves ensuring a campus environment free of sex- or gender-based discrimination. The Title IX Office provides guidance about support, reporting options, policies and definitions; and education and outreach.
BELONGING
Finally, the Belonging at Yale website provides information about Yale’s approach to building an inclusive community. It’s a great resource.
You will be going over much of this material during orientation, so you will have plenty of opportunities to ask questions and find out out more. And in the weeks and years ahead, you will have guidance whenever you need or want it.
With best wishes,
Hannah Peck
Associate Dean of Student Affairs
Yale College
(she/her)
COMING DATES AND DEADLINES
August 18
Move-in