Dear students,
We are just over a week into the new academic year, and I am thrilled by the enthusiasm and energy with which our community has embraced this new year. It has been a joy to witness everyone coming together with such positivity.
As an academic leader, I am dedicated to making your experience at Case Western Reserve both rewarding and enriching. This year, fostering civility and connection is more crucial than ever. In these potentially challenging times, we need your help in creating spaces and a campus climate where everyone can express their views openly and engage in respectful debate. Our Civil Discourse Advisory Group has identified 10 key skills for promoting civility, which have guided the development of various programs on campus this fall.
We encourage you to take advantage of the opportunities available, whether it’s attending the Critical Conversations series, where experts tackle pressing issues, or joining the Hard Conversations program to practice civil discourse in a supportive setting. These programs are designed to help you engage with diverse perspectives and develop skills for meaningful dialogue. Your opinions and perspectives matter to us.
Our faculty and staff are here to support you every step of the way. Let’s work together to make this semester one of growth, respect, and discovery for all of us.
Best wishes for a successful and enriching year ahead! I am so glad that you are here, and I cannot wait to meet each and every one of you.
Respectfully,
Joy K. Ward
Provost and Executive Vice President