Department(s):
Office of the PresidentDear WPI Community,
As we come closer to the end of 2023, many of us feel gratitude for our friends, families, and communities. It is an especially meaningful time of the year to be on campus, surrounded by people who share similar motives, intellectual curiosity, and a passion to better the world.
We are living in tumultuous, unsettling times, as evidenced by recent horrific events globally, regionally, and locally. Some of our community members are hurting or worried about their loved ones and their communities. This is the time when it is even more critical for us to support, respect, and be kind to each other.
At WPI, when confronted with such complex situations and dynamics, we continue to focus on our core mission, and on supporting our community above all. I am grateful that our community engages with one another respectfully and empathically, even when we don’t always agree, and commits to the values of respect, inclusion, and community.
We’ve built a holistic system to support our students with counseling and religious services, diversity and inclusion programs, academic support, campus activities, and more. And, during collectively difficult times, we create opportunities for students to become well informed about current events and important contextual differences through dialogues, scholarly resources, and other co-curricular programs. These engagements encourage students to formulate their own thoughts and views and allow for both personalized care and community building.
I strongly encourage our faculty, staff, and students to continue prioritizing well-being and taking time to reflect, relax, reconnect, and reenergize through Wellness Day offerings and as a regular practice. In that spirit, I hope you will join the dialogue and discussion at the DEIB Wellness Day Symposium on Monday, November 6. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) is a critical part of personal and community wellness in our increasingly diverse world, and there is still time for all or part of the day-long symposium.
Let me emphasize that the safety and well-being of our campus community is our top priority. Our state-accredited police team is on campus 24-7, and, in the event of an emergency, WPI uses the RAVE alert system to notify the community. I am grateful to Campus Police for their dedication, and for community members who contribute to their efforts by calling 508-831-5555 upon seeing something suspicious or potentially dangerous. If you haven’t already, please take a moment to log in to RAVE (for WPI community members) or sign up (for friends and family) and verify your contact information is accurate.
WPI works diligently to be a place where people help each other and where every person feels they can share their experiences and convey their unique perspectives. That kind of authenticity is powerful for the individual, the community, and the work being done here on campus and across the globe.
I am grateful to each of you for helping to further our culture of respect, inclusion and community; to prioritize well-being and safety; to offer a helping hand when needed; to be respectful even when we disagree with each other; and to make our community a place where everyone belongs.
Sincerely,
Grace