To the Editor:
I was pleased to read the Daily's April 24th article on the efforts of the Cultural Coordinate Committee (CCC) to increase awareness of intolerance on campus.
As a newcomer to Tufts, I continue to be amazed by the level of commitment from students, staff and faculty to create an environment where each member of our community feels truly valued and respected.
I am particularly impressed with Tufts' ability to understand that fostering positive racial interactions requires planning, commitment and consistency. This understanding stems from the acknowledgement that diversity, tolerance and equal opportunity are the hallmarks of educational excellence.
The University's Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO) shares many common goals with the Cultural Coordinate Committee, and is working in a variety of ways towards these goals. Next semester, OEO plans to sponsor a series of dialogues on race, as well as specific skill-building training sessions for staff, students and faculty on the appropriate responses to prejudices and biases. The AS&E Diversity Office has contracted with an outside consultant to study issues of faculty retention. OEO is also in the process of redesigning its website to make it easier for people to report incidences of prejudice.
It is the OEO's responsibility to ensure that everyone at Tufts can equally access and enjoy all of the services and accommodations of the University. We achieve this by working with all members of the community on prevention and education programs, as well as intervention and mediation in cases when violations occur. We conduct regular audits and monitor the university's civil rights policies, while always soliciting student input on these processes.
The Office of Equal Opportunity is committed to creating a more positive and respectful atmosphere at Tufts. By working together with the student organizations like the CCC we can accomplish much more - and we look forward to joining forces to foster a diverse, vibrant and equal campus for us all.
Yves-Rose SaintDic
The writer is the director of the Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action
