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This week our campus once again reverberates with the sights and sounds of a lively academic community as spring semester begins.

As we approach the start of the spring semester and the return of students to campus, we continue to monitor the wildfires in the Los Angeles area and are in touch with those impacted by the fires, especially our own Â鶹ӰÊÓ community.

I wanted to reach out immediately to express my care for our community given the devastation Southern California is experiencing due to fires and fierce winds in the last two days.

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.