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The below message was sent on August 30, 2024

Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff,  

We prepare to start the new academic year mindful of our  and our stated commitment to cultivating “intellectual curiosity, independence, personal integrity, and resilience in a community of passionate, joyful learners.” We hope this year will provide us with new opportunities for open communication, ways to engage with each other, and chances to approach areas of disagreement with respect, a willingness to listen, and an expectation that we will be heard.  

Free expression is critically important to the foundation of higher education and must be balanced with the College’s commitment to ensuring continuity of operations so we can fulfill our core educational mission and protect against discriminatory harassment. The , which reflects the values we all share as a community, says it best, describing how  “the members of the Undergraduate College of Bryn Mawr have come together in this community in order to create an environment in which each member is able to realize their full potential — a potential which is realized through intellectual and social growth. Such an environment is possible in a community that values respect and concern for individuals, and with this respect and concern, a commitment to communication.” 

Bryn Mawr’s commitment to shared governance, including the , the , the , , and  engagement, is core to who we are.  For undergraduates, the Honor Code outlines commitments students make around academic and social behavior, which are mirrored in guidelines for our graduate students. Like all colleges and universities, our lives together are also governed by College policies that ensure we are working within appropriate local, state, and federal laws that guide our interactions with each other, particularly when members of our community disagree. Such policies include (but are not limited to): 

The  has not been revisited by the community in several years. We aim to support peaceful protests and demonstrations that honor the ability of individuals and groups to express their ideals, and the needs of all who live, study, and work on our campus.  In the coming weeks, we will share ideas about possible revisions to this policy and invite input and conversation about the agreements we make together in it. As the semester begins, we also aim to collaborate with members of the Honor Board, groups of students, faculty, and staff leaders to review the Honor Code. The goal is to ensure that the Honor Code best represents our values and the College’s mission and to ensure a clear, mutual understanding of how it will be implemented in a variety of potential circumstances. We are grateful for our shared commitment to the mission of Bryn Mawr College and to carrying it forward in the coming academic year.  
 

Enjoy the weekend, 

Karlene Burrell-McRae 
Dean of the Undergraduate College 
 
Wendy Cadge  
President and Professor of Sociology 
 
Tim Harte 
Provost and Professor of Russian 
 
Tijana Stefanovic 
Interim Chief Financial Officer and Chief Administrative Officer