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As a community, we have faced significant challenges this semester. I am encouraged, however, by our community’s continued efforts to pursue solutions. This includes participation in community dialogue groups for students, faculty and staff.

Many members of our community may travel during the break; the new year will bring a new U.S. presidential administration, and delays or changes to immigration and travel policies may be possible.

As many of you are aware, the College received a letter from a number of legal groups expressing concern about the suspension of our students in connection with the Carnegie Hall protest and occupation. I am sharing our response.

Election Day is upon us and the long election season is reaching its conclusion as we make our voices heard through the democratic process.

After hearing from many of you and after discussions with members of the ASPC and the faculty executive committee, I write to share my thoughts about how we might navigate this difficult time together.

I write to you with an update regarding student conduct decisions related to the takeover and vandalism of the Carnegie Building, home of three departments and programs, classrooms, and faculty and staff offices, on Oct. 7.

As we head into fall break, I write with the hope that you will take care of yourselves and one another, because we need one another, and we need care, as the violation of our collective life on campus on October 7, 2024, has shown.

I enjoyed welcoming new students this past weekend and look forward to seeing returning Sagehens on campus. We come together with great hope for the academic year ahead.

I hope summer is offering you a chance for rest and reflection. As we approach August, I and the College’s leadership team are preparing for fall semester, seeking common ground to advance our lasting academic mission in a time of rapid change.

This has been a year weighed down by grief. Pomona is, by our very mission, strongly rooted in the local communities around us, but global in our orientation.