Town Halls

Grinnell College last fall began a series of town hall meetings to encourage transparency and frank, civil discussion of topics that faculty, staff, and students consider important. Each town hall has sessions at noon and in the evening. The first set covered harm reduction, Title IX, and diversity; the second, technology and learning. The most recent sessions, on Feb. 25, focused on diversity and are summarized below.

Once again, attendance was strong, with about 100 at the noon gathering and another 70 at the night session.

Issues discussed included: 

• Institutional diversity.
• Implicit bias.
• Self-segregation and the need for safe spaces to gather.
• Socioeconomic diversity.
• Accessibility.
• The need for a physical space dedicated to addressing diversity issues.
• The role of student leaders in addressing diversity issues.
• Grinnell’s commitment to diversity.
• Ways the administration can work with students to improve campus experiences.
• Specific programs the College has for first-generation college students, international students, and low-income students.
• Possible changes in college programs.

The College’s work in making diversity a key part of the educational experience includes the hiring of a new chief diversity officer, Poonam Arora; the comprehensive work of several key committees considering proposals for action; and collaboration with departments and organizations such as the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, the Office of International Student Affairs, the Office of Intercultural Engagement and Leadership, the Black Cultural Center, and Stonewall Resource Center.