Dear TC Community,

As we head into a most welcome holiday break, I would like to take a moment to share some thoughts, wishes, and hopes for the New Year.

My first thoughts are those of gratitude. I truly am grateful to all of you for pursuing excellence in your work and kindness in your interactions among one another and with the communities we serve. I am so glad I just had the opportunity to show my gratitude toward my fellow TC’ers – first by serving pasta dinner to our students last week; and by hosting a brunch for our faculty and staff yesterday morning.

My wishes are for each of you to have a restful, joyful, and, above all, a safe holiday break with friends and loved ones. And just as I recently called on all of us to keep the spirit of Thanksgiving alive throughout the year, let’s also resolve to maintain the spirit of the upcoming holidays and be the most generous and caring versions of ourselves throughout 2020.

My hope is that in 2020 our society will make progress toward liberating itself from hate and hateful discourse that, in its most toxic strains, has fueled acts of violence against individuals because of their skin color, nationality, religious faith, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.

In recent months, we have seen violence against members of our extended Columbia University community and many in our neighboring communities. We also have witnessed racially motivated acts of discrimination and violence against people of color, as well as an alarming increase in anti-Semitic hate crimes, including last week’s deadly domestic terror attack at a kosher market in Jersey City.

TC alone cannot eradicate the evils of bias, racism, and anti-Semitism. But we can confront and combat them. The College has and will continue to marshal its intellectual resources toward deepening our awareness and understanding of the complex issues and menacing forces facing our society. I especially prize the dedication among so many of our faculty, staff, students, and administrators who are working tirelessly to promote equity, inclusion, diversity, and community within the College and throughout society.

As we wish each other a peaceful new year, let us come together in fellowship and mutual respect as we dedicate our efforts toward advancing the public good. And let us work together toward building a more just and peaceful world.

I wish you all health and happiness for the New Year.

With appreciation,

 

Thomas Bailey