Updated August 14, 2020

Town Hall with the BIPOC Knowlton Coalition
Wednesday 22 July, 2020

View Recording

Participants

BIPOC Knowlton Coalition
Asya Shine, BSArch 2017
Adeeba Arastu, BSArch 2018
Andre Banerjee, BSLA 2018
Kenya Gray, current BSCRP student
Stephanie Sang Delgado, MArch 2015 and Knowlton Lecturer

Knowlton School
Dorothée Imbert, current Director of the Knowlton School
Michael Cadwell, former Director of the Knowlton School
Benjy Flowers, PhD, Associate Director, Knowlton School
Kristi Cheramie, Section Head of Landscape Architecture
Jennifer Clark, PhD, Section Head of City and Regional Planning
Todd Gannon, PhD, Section Head of Architecture

College of Engineering
Lisa Barclay, Interim Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer and Assistant Dean

Moderator
Kathy Lechman, PhD, Associate Director Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race & Ethnicity

Updated June 19, 2020

A message from the incoming Director of the Knowlton School on Juneteenth

We share the intention to make Knowlton more diverse and inclusive.
We need to translate this intention into actions, starting now. To that end:
 

• We are forming a schoolwide student council to represent BIPOC voices;
• We are working on increasing diversity in curriculum, mentorship, and recruiting;
• We are rethinking the lecture series to include more diverse voices and positions;
• We need to talk with the profession and engage with alumni.

We know that these steps will not be enough.

Institutional change is never easy. It requires everyone’s participation—students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the wider profession. We are counting on all to contribute.

This is a sincere effort that will be sustained during my Directorship.

Dorothée Imbert

Dear All;

The events of the last week have left us reeling. Coronavirus has been overtaken by the disease of racism. George Floyd’s death has joined that of countless others. Peaceful protest has been met with violence. Retribution has been endorsed, and positive change has been dismissed.

We are being called as citizens of a democracy to bear witness and to act. President Drake has called us to reaffirm our university’s values of inclusion, diversity and tolerance. Dean Williams has called us to an open dialogue for a more just and equitable society. Roaya Higazi and other student leaders have called for oversight of campus police. There will be other calls, public and private. We must answer them with courage and compassion, and remember that listening can be a radical act. Design and planning must begin with attention, especially to voices too long unheard.

Michael Cadwell, FAIA, LEED AP
Walter H. Kidd Professor and Director
Knowlton School