President Kim Cassidy Accepts Strike Demands

Editor’s note: This email was sent to Bryn Mawr students, faculty, and staff on November 16 in response to the ongoing student strike. President Cassidy’s detailed response to the Bryn Mawr Strike Collective’s demands can be found here.

To Bryn Mawr students, faculty, and staff:

The Bryn Mawr Strike Collective has challenged the College and all of us to reckon with institutional racism. They have pushed the institution to confront more directly its past and present injustices. Their actions have been brave and bold. Members have spoken of the changes they seek as benefiting all of us and particularly students.

The Strike Collective leaders and other students, staff, faculty, and alumnae/i have spoken courageously about the harm, hurt, and fear that they and others have experienced at the College as a result of race, ethnicity, nationality, disability, or socioeconomic status. These wounds will not heal on their own and they will not heal without substantive structural changes.

As President of the College, and as an individual, I share the Strike Collective’s vision for the College to build, collectively, a new commitment to change.

I am in agreement with the areas for action laid out in the November 12 demands. I have attached a response that details how specific aspects of demands will be fulfilled, including timelines and our commitments to invest the resources needed. Some of these actions have already been enacted and some can begin immediately. There are other issues that are more complex—for example, those that depend on decisions of the Board of Trustees or the faculty and require their engagement and action—to which I have responded as fully as possible for now. While some of the specifics of approach may vary, the College is committing itself to act on all of the demands set forth by the Strike Collective. I hope that what is conveyed in this response is our deep and shared commitment to action for change.

A college president cannot single-handedly decree all institutional change. I need your help. In the spirit of mutual respect and shared purpose, I invite representatives of the Collective and all students, faculty and staff to work with me so that we are able to turn our shared commitments into meaningful action.

Anti-racism requires ongoing and resolute work. I am committed to partnering with the Strike Collective and with all students, faculty, and staff to move Bryn Mawr College forward.

Sincerely,
Kim Cassidy

(Budget and timeline is listed for each demand; if no budget is listed, it was specifically listed as not applicable.)

1. We demand transparency and accountability in the progress of diversity, equity, and inclusion and anti-racism at the College that includes but is not limited to quantitative and qualitative assessments.

Provide status report to the community at mid-semester and at the end of the semester using a table or chart format. (Week 8 and Week 15 each semester)
Full end-of-year report of the Academic Year’s equity and anti-racism activities for the year including a dashboard. (May 31, annual)
Administer a campus climate assessment to students, faculty and staff in March 2021 and then biannually thereafter. Disseminate results to the campus and post on the website, including open sessions to explain and discuss results as well as action step responses. (by March 2021, biannual thereafter)
Assess the effectiveness of the actions suggested in the Plan using an impact survey. The information will be used to change activity or alter programs as needed (including ending efforts that are not working). (Annually in April)
Develop a set of metrics for annual reporting by March 2021. Metrics provided to the community by May 2021 and annually thereafter. (by April 2022)
Review Faculty By-Laws. (Beginning Spring 2021)
Annual open forum regarding College budget (Beginning Spring 2021)

2. We demand the College to adopt a holistic approach to diversity, equity and inclusion and anti-racism in education and practices for the next academic years.

The Curriculum Committee will review adding a new distribution requirement that includes diversity, equity and inclusion education and/or courses that address structural and institutional hierarchies and their impact. (If approved, launch in Fall 2022 for class of 2026) ($10,000/year for three years)
Revamp the THRIVE program through the lens of issues of diversity, equity and inclusion. Create two summer student fellowships to assist with planning this course. Evaluate this approach after two cycles to determine its effectiveness. (Summer 2021 development, launch by Fall 2021) ($9,400 for student stipend)
Substitute teach-in format across the spring semester for the Community Day of Learning. This will include teach-ins during quarantine before classes begin, as well as at least six during the semester. (Spring 2021) ($15,000)
Ensure that all departments institute mandatory diversity, equity and inclusion training that addresses the needs within the area. This work will include support for departments that are addressing specific anti-racism department work as part of that training e.g., Alumnae Relations and Development used the tools from the Race Matters Institute to revamp their approach to alumnae/i engagement. (Summer 2021 development, launch by Fall 2021) (budget tbd)
Review faculty hiring and review practices to support our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. (complete by Fall 2021)
Conduct a series of workshops with administrative department heads to review recent revisions to staff recruitment and hiring policies, which were rewritten/republished in February 2020 to reflect equity and inclusion best practices. We will track searches and outcomes. (May 2021 workshops; May 2022 evaluation)

3. We demand support in meeting with the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum commission by February 1, 2021 in order to secure the IMMEDIATE REMOVAL of M. Carey Thomas’ name inscribed on the Old Library building façade and the portrait that hangs in Old Library, as well as direct involvement with the progression of Woodrow Wilson’s sign removal on New Gulph Rd., and publications for institutional memorialization of such events on the college’s website, in the official College Archives and Special Collections, and $75,000 for independent research on critical race theory through a similar model to the History Advisory Group.

M. Carey Thomas plaque inside Old Library: veil installed with explanation of renaming of building. (complete)
President will notify the Board of demand to remove M. Carey Thomas inscription on Old Library façade and remove Thomas items from the collections. (20 Nov 2020)
Woodrow Wilson sign removed. (complete)
M. Carey Thomas bust removed to storage. Temporary sign of removal posted; fuller signage to be provided. (29 Jan 2021) ($750)
M. Carey Thomas portrait currently hung in the Rare Book Room in Canaday removed to storage; signage explaining removal hung. (29 Jan 2021) ($750)
Include information about removals on new Equity and Anti-Racism website. (29 Jan 2021)
Telling Histories and History Infrastructure Working Group recommendations: numerous recommendations implemented since Fall 2019, including funding for research through student internships (see below example); Digital Seed Grants for Perry House history project and 1924/31 history project; Praxis courses (e.g. “Telling Bryn Mawr Histories”); development of central website; forthcoming exhibits drawing on paid student research (see below). ($23,000 to date, $35,000/year beginning 2022)
Pilot exhibit, “People Who Built Bryn Mawr,” suggesting range of unrecognized and recognized individuals who helped shape BMC in its first 25 years. Invite community response to shape phase 2; continue opportunities for student research in Special Collections. (29 Jan 2021) ($5,300 for pilot, $14,000 for phase two)
Exhibit on students who attended the Summer School for Women Workers in Industry as part of the centennial celebration of the School. The School existed from 1921-1937 and enrolled the first African American students to take courses at Bryn Mawr. Research and exhibit accomplished by a student intern working in Special Collections and funded through the President’s Office. (April 2021) ($5,000)
As per the Telling Histories Working Group recommendation, continue progress on memorial for those excluded or invisible at Bryn Mawr across our history. Initial meetings with Philadelphia Mural Arts Project took place in Spring 2020. Form a working group of students, faculty, staff and alumnae/i to continue the planning with goal of completed memorial by Fall 2022.

4. We demand that the Bi-Co stop its violence against disabled students and/or students with mental health concerns by investing $500,000 in wellness and health services.

Restructure relationship between Access Services and Counseling Services to increase collaboration, sharing of appropriate information, and improve services to BIPOC students with disabilities. (action plan April 2021, implemented Aug 2021)
Add a question concerning creating an accessible and inclusive classroom experience to course evaluations. (Fall 2021)
Use transformative justice framework to change College protocols involving mental health crises (see IX). (beginning Spring 2021)
Develop network of partners for therapy services for BIPOC students and make financial assistance for co-pays available through Student Assistance Fund. (Spring 2021)
Implement universal design standards in curricular and co-curricular programs through setting policies and expectations for instructors and program directors, training, and continuing education. (beginning Spring 2021)
Over the next three years, the College will increase accessibility in the following ways: (a.) Replace Old Library elevator to achieve compliance, (b.) Improve wheelchair access to Edman Dining Hall, (c.) Improve wheelchair access to Rhoads North entrance, (d.) Improve wayfinding/signage to direct people to accessible entrances to campus buildings. (2021-2023) ($325,000 over three years)
Move student life offices now in Cambrian Row (including Pensby Center, religious life, and Civic Engagement) to a new Student Life and Wellness Center more conveniently located centrally on campus and make counseling and medical services fully accessible. (2020-2021) ($17.5 million total)
Improve accessibility in Park Science Building including adding an additional wheelchair lift, incorporating classroom listening loop, widening doors and other modifications. (2021-2023) ($17 million remaining)

5. We demand transparency on scholarship tax for international students.

Financial Aid and the Controller’s Office will work to implement a system whereby BMC provides funding to international students to cover the payment of taxes on their scholarships. The new policy and information regarding process will be posted on the Financial Aid webpage and information will be available in the International Services & Advising office. Information will be included in orientation with new international students. (Dec 2020) ($90,000/year)

6. We demand that Bryn Mawr College hires a full-time staff member that becomes the Associate Dean for Student Success and Advising for Undocumented Students in the Pensby Center that will work with the Staff Contact for DACA and Undocumented Students and the Peer Contact for DACA and Undocumented Students.

Develop description for new Student Success position to address needs of DACAmented and Undocumented Students. In recognizing that there are shared needs facing FGLI students, this new position will also coordinate support for FGLI students. Recruit and hire new Student Success position. (position launched by Fall 2021) ($60,000/year)

7. We demand for the restructuring in the current operations of the Enid Cook ’31 Center, to be implemented by the 2021-2022 academic year.

Increase Enid Cook ’31 Center program funding, establish professional full-time Director position to run ECC, and establish paid student coordinator position to cover campus-wide, BiCo, and ECC events including (but not limited to) Black History Month, Latin/x History Month, Friendsgiving, Legacy Day and other programs and events and provide substantive and ongoing support for Bryn Mawr BIPOC students. (2021-2022) ($100,000 annually)
The new Enid Cook ’31 Director will work with Associate Dean of Equity and Inclusion and Undergraduate Dean to review the program budget to ensure that it meets student needs and activities. (Fall 2021)

8. We demand the implementation of a “reparations fund” towards a yearly allocation of funds and resources to Black and Indigenous students in the form of grants for summer programs, affinity groups, multicultural spaces, and individual expenses such as books, online courses, therapy, and any and all financial need beyond the scope of racial justice work.

Rename Dean’s Emergency Fund, the “Dean’s Student Assistance Fund.” (Nov 2020)
Double allocation of fund. (Nov 2020) (doubled to $10,000/year)
Publicly release spending reports of this fund at the end of each semester. (Jan 2021)
Appoint committee to administer Student Assistance Fund that includes representation from BIPOC staff/faculty from range of departments; post members on website. (Nov 2020)

9. We demand that Bryn Mawr acknowledge the unseen labor of Black women and Black trans/nonbinary people on campus.

Publicly recognize the unseen efforts of Black employees, in ways that would be meaningful to them. (meeting by mid-Feb 2021) (budget TBD)
Continue paid student consultant positions for administrative offices to get student input on projects or initiatives. (ongoing) (current department budgets)

10. We demand that the school continue to pay the students who are participating in the strike.

Create Change Agent fund, providing funds for students who analyze and recommend solutions for College inequities. (Oct 2021) ($10,000)
Pay all striking student workers up to 20 hours for missed work. (current) (budget TBD)

11. We demand Bryn Mawr College take an ACTIVE role in Police and Penal Abolition at local, regional, and global scale.

CIO will work with external advisor to determine what, if any, securities related to the penal system or the defense industry are held by Bryn Mawr in the endowment; information to be shared with community. (18 Dec 2020)
Create Racial Justice Impact Fund that will support students, faculty and staff who engage with organizations or communities as part of their curricular, co-curricular or professional development. Funded projects could include some compensation to the organization to underwrite their support of the partnership. (beginning Spring and Summer 2021) ($10,000)
Use a transformational justice model to guide our relationship with local law enforcement and our approach to Campus Safety. By December 18th Dean Walters will hold an open listening meeting. By February 12th she will create a working group and a draft charge for that group to determine the specific implementation of this recommendation. This working group will include paid transformative justice experts including those from the Social Justice Initiative at the Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research, as well as students, faculty and staff, including from Campus Safety. (recommendation by June 2021) (budget TBD)
Expand Customs “Week” to include more explicit emphasis on building relationships and harm reduction. Customs Week has been reconceived as a longer program due to COVID and we will continue this model of extended engagement over the summer going forward. (implementation summer 2021) (from Customs budget)
Recommitting to the demands made by Black Students in 2015, include additional training on harm reduction for Honor Board members and Dorm Leadership teams. (implementation summer 2021).

12. We demand a significant reduction of winter break and summer break housing costs for international students.

We have reduced the costs for summer break housing for all students starting in Summer 2021 from $125 to $70 per week for housing when no dining is provided and from $170 per week to $105 per week when dining is provided. (Summer 2021) ($100,000/year)

13. We demand a transparent list of “protections” that Bryn Mawr claims they offer for undocumented students.

List, also at the Pensby center website.
1. The College will not release information about students’ citizenship or immigration status (including information regarding students’ visas and Green Cards) unless presented with a subpoena or similar legal requirement.
2. The College does not use E-Verify to verify a student’s (or staff member’s) eligibility to work at the College.
3. Campus Safety will not be involved with enforcing federal immigration laws, including Green Card and visa issues, nor will they inquire about or record a student’s immigration status when interacting with students. Law enforcement officials seeking to come on campus are expected to check in first with Campus Safety and present a warrant or other enforceable legal instrument.
4. We value our diverse community and its power to help students become well-rounded and engaged citizens. Bryn Mawr College does not discriminate on the basis of national origin or citizenship in our admissions process, and undocumented and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) students graduating from U.S. high schools or earning a high school equivalency diploma in the U.S. are encouraged to apply.
5. The College will continue to welcome applicants and to support students of all nationalities and religions.
6. We will continue to meet full, demonstrated financial need for all students, including undocumented and international students, enrolled at Bryn Mawr.
Provide training to faculty and staff around the campus protections for DACAmented and undocumented students, including quick card reference for employees. (immediate)
Provide regular learning opportunities for faculty regarding unique needs of DACAmented and undocumented students. (Spring 2021)

14. We demand to include undocumented students without DACA in work payment systems.

Raise awareness among undocumented students that the work-study requirement can be waived and replaced with equivalent grant funding (which does not need to be repaid). (Spring 2021) ($32,000)
Revise BMC financial aid policy so that paid student fellowships will not displace existing financial aid (i.e. receiving a fellowship will not result in a reduction of available aid as long as it does not exceed the cost of attendance). (budget TBD)
Provide trainings for departments to understand the federal guidelines around fellowships and other forms of alternative compensation (among other regulations, federal guidelines require that fellowships be directly related to an academic experience and not a replacement for an already existing paid position) to make opportunities more visible and available. (Spring 2021 and ongoing)

15. We demand grade protection and the implementation of student suggestions to the Curriculum Committees.

Students will be allowed to declare up to four (4) courses Cr/NC for AY20-21 with the deadline of June 14th, 2021 to decide. (Immediate)

16. We demand that Bryn Mawr College respond to each of the individual above demands in the form of concrete action and change by 11/16/2020. We will not conclude the strike until our demands are met and a statement is issued with a timeline detailing how specific demands will be fulfilled. The school, (remembering that the brunt of this labor should not be on the backs of Black students, staff, and faculty) will employ and properly compensate all students in the fulfillment of these demands as well as continue to support organizers, strikers, and leaders in more formalized and routine teach-ins.

Image credit: Bryn Mawr Alumnae Bulletin