Implementation Update
I write to update the Wheaton College campus community on the work of the Historical Review Implementation Task Force.
The Historical Review Implementation Task Force, appointed by President Ryken, is comprised of the following faculty and staff:
- Rev. Terrance Campbell
Director of Graduate Admissions - Jordan Christner
Campaign Director - Katherine Graber
Assistant Professor of Library Science, Team Leader for Wheaton Archives and Special Collections - Dr. David Lauber
Associate professor of Theology, Dean of Humanities and Theological Studies - Dr. Toussaint Whetstone
Dean of Student Wellness - John Bonlender
Student Government EVP for Diversity, Student Representative - Dr. Vanessa Quainoo
CIEO, serves as chairperson - Ex-officio members include President Phil Ryken and Provost Karen Lee
The Task Force has been charged with making certain that the commitments set forth as a response to the Review would be achieved or addressed during the next 12 – 24 months.
The following is the charter for the Task Force
Oversight
Appointed by SAC at the direction of the Trustees; responsible to SAC and also making occasional reports to the Trustees through the Commitments and Culture Committee.
Leadership
As listed above
Purpose
Generally, to oversee implementation of the Trustee Commitments on behalf of the administration and to report to all constituencies on our progress. More specifically:
- to ensure that the campus community is aware of opportunities to engage with the HRTF final report and the implementation of the resulting Trustee Commitments
- to plan or delegate a campus symposium in October, featuring faculty experts
- to monitor changes to the College’s signage and storytelling regarding its legacy on race relations;
- to plan or delegate a public symposium for spring semester, including an off-campus expert who would contribute to a constructive campus response
- to appoint a small working group to create a campus display for the Library and related digital narrative, subject to final approval by SAC
- to encourage continued dialogue with the Lakota and other indigenous communities with historic connections to the College and its lands
- to stay informed about grants to assist with implementation, changes the Advancement Committee makes to the College’s naming policy, and information about campus resources for underrepresented communities; and
- to provide monthly updates to SAC, three updates each academic year to the Commitments and Culture Committee, and occasional updates to campus.
Duration
Until the Trustee Commitments are fulfilled or else assigned, underway, and capable of oversight through the College’s regular governance structures; likely, 12 to 24 months.
The timeline below represents the dates for planned events and activities:
- September 2023
The Historical Review was distributed to the Wheaton College campus community with a campus letter including a statement of institutional repentance - October 2023
Historical Review Implementation Task Force held first monthly meeting - November 2023
The first of two symposia – November 9, 2023
From Darkness to Light - Exploring Celebration, Lamentation, and Repentance as a Community
Panelists of Wheaton College Faculty
Drs. Vincent Bacote, moderator, Danny Carroll (Rodas), Karen Johnson, Michael McKoy - January 2024
Received approval from SAC for a Readers’ Theater/Public Reading of poetry and prose on Celebration (Forthcoming in Fall semester 2024) - January 2024
Completion of the dedicated web page - March 2024
Second symposium – March 12, 2024
From Darkness To Light - Institutional Sin and Corporate Repentance
Rev Dr. Charlie Dates, Guest Speaker
Barrows Auditorium, 7pm - May 2024
Library exhibit exploring the Historical Review
Plans for the exhibit will be announced by May 2024. - October 2024
Proposed date for Readers’ Theater - December 2024
The Implementation Task Force will present resourcing information for discussion to the Board of Trustees
Discussion items will include:
-
- A Center for the Office of Multicultural Development
- Increased support for diversity training for faculty and staff
- A dedicated position for recruitment of students of color
- Increase and sustain scholarship support for students of color
- Provide orientation support for students of color
- Support the Provost in her efforts to recruit, retain and help faculty and staff of color to thrive.
- Support for comprehensive intercultural competency training
- Support for majority culture students to process relevance of the Historical Review to current generations without presuming individual or corporate guilt
- Annually tracking the percentage of funding that supports multicultural initiatives
All events are free and open to the public. Professors are encouraged to bring their classes and/or to consider granting assignment and credit status to the March 12th symposium.
Respectfully submitted,
Dr. Vanessa Quainoo
Chief Intercultural Engagement Officer
Wheaton College