President Peter Salovey and other university officials have issued statements regarding the incident on May 8 in which one student reported another student — a student of color who lives in the Hall of Graduate Studies and had every right to be there — to the Yale police. The statements are collected below.
Further listening sessions and next steps on equity and inclusion
Statement from Kimberly Goff-Crews, vice president for student life
May 15
Together with other university leaders, I have been meeting with groups of students to hear you relate your experiences and ideas for action. Last Friday, with graduate school dean Lynn Cooley, vice presidents Janet Lindner and Eileen O’Connor, and Chief Ronnell Higgins, I heard from students from across the university.
Read Goff-Crews’ full statement.
Message from Dean Lynn Cooley to the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences community
May 15
As President Salovey reaffirmed in his message last week, Yale is committed to equity and inclusion on our campus. The incident that occurred at the Hall of Graduate Studies last week shines a spotlight on the topic of race and racism, though it is just one example of the larger challenge of building and maintaining a community built on mutual respect.
Read Dean Cooley’s full statement.
Yale’s commitment to equity and inclusion
Statement by Yale President Peter Salovey
May 10
Racism is an unqualified evil in our society. Universities are not utopias, and people of color experience racism on our campus as they do elsewhere in our country. This fact angers and disappoints me. We must neither condone nor excuse racism, prejudice, or discrimination at Yale. As a university community committed to creating knowledge and understanding, we reject these kinds of ignorance. We look for ways, instead, to demonstrate our shared humanity. We strive to create a welcoming and inclusive environment that empowers our students, faculty, and staff to pursue their intellectual and professional goals.
Read President Salovey’s full statement.
Message to graduate students from VP for Student Life Kimberly Goff-Crews
May 10
I am deeply troubled by an incident that took place Monday night in the Hall of Graduate Studies. One graduate student called the police to report another student in the common area, who had every right to be there. The Yale police officers who responded spoke with both parties and subsequently admonished the complaining student that the other student had every right to be present.
Read Goff-Crews’ full statement.
Statement from Yale Police Chief Ronnell Higgins
May 10
After review of the facts around the call and the police response to the incident at HGS on May 8, I wanted to share a summary of what happened. Our police officers and I feel strongly that Yale policing cannot be excellent unless our work is inclusive and respectful of everyone we come in contact with. We look forward to continuing to work with faculty, staff and students to support all members of the Yale community.
Read Chief Higgins’ full statement.
Message from Dean Cooley to the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences community
May 8
Incidents like that of last night remind us of the continued work needed to make Yale a truly inclusive place. I am committed to redoubling our efforts to build a supportive community in which all graduate students are empowered in their intellectual pursuits and professional goals within a welcoming environment. An essential part of that effort must be a commitment to mutual respect and an open dialog.
Read Dean Cooley’s full statement.
