Special Campus Memo: Grinnell Initiates Discrimination Allegations Investigation

You may have seen a recent UGSDW report alleging racial discrimination in staff disciplinary decisions at the Spencer Grill -- one of our on-campus dining facilities. The report is based on UGSDW's analysis of data related to the 162 students who have been employed at the Spencer Grill over the past four semesters (beginning in Spring 2017). 

 

Grinnell strives to create a diverse, inclusive and respectful campus environment that reflects the College's core values in everything we do. The College has no tolerance for racist or discriminatory behavior. You can access Grinnell's Nondiscrimination Policy online.

 

Consistent with our policy and commitment to an inclusive and respectful environment, the College takes the concerns raised in UGSDW's report very seriously, and we are committed to investigating the matter thoroughly. The College has already undertaken its own analysis of the data relied on in the report and has found the limited data insufficient to draw meaningful conclusions. 

 

Nevertheless, the College will be engaging an independent third-party to investigate the union's claims to determine if there is a need for corrective action. The investigation will be overseen by Leslie A. Gregg-Jolly, the College's Interim Chief Diversity Officer.