The President's Response on Mountain Day and Rosh Hashanah
A new committment to respectful and inclusive policies and practices in relation to all students, graduates, faculty and staff.
October 2, 2019
Dear Mount Holyoke community,
I deeply regret that some members of our community had to make choices yesterday between Rosh Hashanah and participating in Mountain Day events. And I am determined that they shall not have to make such a choice in the future. I commit to you that we will undertake an in-depth review of our planning process, for this and all major events, so that henceforth we can avoid any such misjudgment and conflict.
Please know that my colleagues at Mount Holyoke and I are genuinely committed to our Jewish community, and indeed to respectful and inclusive policies and practices in relation to all students, graduates, faculty and staff. It is our fervent desire to have as many of you as possible, here and across the globe, participate in our campus traditions. And it is, then, a great sadness to me that our holding Mountain Day on this date was so very disrespectful of a Jewish High Holiday, and of all those who celebrate it. It cast a long shadow over a beloved Mount Holyoke tradition.
I acknowledge your deep and righteous disappointment, hurt and frustration, and I am truly sorry. We must uphold the values and practice of being the truly inclusive College that we strive to be.
Sincerely,
Sonya Stephens
President
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October 1, 2019: Letter from Charles L. Greene II, Vice President, Communications and Marketing