Dear Members of the Trinity College Community,

The Board of Trustees thanks and commends the members of the Charter Committee on Campus Climate for their thoughtful document and comprehensive set of recommendations. The Trinity College that the committee describes is the Trinity College the trustees wish for us: specifically, a diverse community where each and every individual is not only welcome but feels him or herself to be a valued member with a personal, shared responsibility for the well-being of others and for the College as a whole.

The report reminds us that Trinity’s mission is to “free the mind of parochialism and prejudice and prepare students to lead examined lives that are personally satisfying, civically responsible and socially useful.” The Charter Committee’s report should raise the consciousness of all those committed to Trinity’s future. At the recommendation of the Campus Climate Committee, we have asked President Jones to create a Presidential Council by February 1, 2008. The Council will during the Spring Term begin to prioritize and implement recommendations. At each Board meeting, we will expect a progress report and will be guided by the priorities that the Presidential Council will set as we review and approve future budgets. We are committed in the Capital Campaign to raising the amount of funds devoted to financial aid, and we are acutely aware that new forms of social organizations, common spaces, and activities will be critical to changing campus culture.

The Board is committed to an acceleration of the cultural transformation of our campus. Trinity College must change, and it will. We expect each and every member of the Trinity community to join us in taking up this challenge.

                                                                                                                        Sincerely,

                                                                                                                        Paul E. Raether

                                                                                                                        Chairman, Board of Trustees