January 26, 2019
Dear BC parents and families:
Happy New Year! I hope your winter holiday was filled with joyful family time and that your student is looking forward to the new semester.
The Division of Student Affairs kicked off the semester with its very popular Student Open House. All departments within the Division set up tables on the fourth floor of Maloney Hall and offered giveaways, helpful resources, and, of course, plenty of food! Hundreds of students stopped by.
This edition of Parent Update leads with a comprehensive feature on student wellness, and highlights the range of programs and services available to support students as they discover and nurture their best selves. As a Jesuit, Catholic institution, Boston College is committed to the principle of cura personalis—care of the whole person.
I also want to take this opportunity to update you on the racist incident that occurred on campus prior to the winter break. Boston College is and will always be a community that embraces people from all walks of life. Our commitment to diversity and inclusion is steadfast, even when sometimes faced with hateful acts and the tensions that can arise on our campus. We are, however, called to actively confront these challenges to allow for the greater good in all of us to prevail.
As I shared with you in my December email, within hours of the incident, the Provost and I issued statements as senior administrators condemning the racist act. A formal University conduct process is currently underway regarding this incident, and we expect an outcome as soon as legally possible. By law, we are not able to announce publicly student disciplinary decisions.
Sustained progress toward enhancing the culture of care and welcome will require the commitment of all University community members working in good faith toward this common goal. It is the hope of University leadership that students will identify ways in which they can help ensure that all students act responsibly, and with care and respect for one another.
We will continue to encourage and advance the campus dialogue around diversity, inclusion, and equity for all through new and existing programming, opportunities for more in-depth campus conversations, and the development of partnerships and resources that support the student experience.
Thank you for encouraging your student to practice daily the lessons of kindness and respect they learned from you.
I wish you and your families a wonderful start to 2019.
Sincerely,
Joy Moore ’81, Hon. ’10
Interim Vice President for Student Affairs