Posts by Persis Drell

May 8, 2018

Postdocs and affordability

Throughout the long-range planning process, we have been reminded of the great value that our postdoctoral scholars bring to faculty and to the university. Numerous submissions and white papers also highlighted the fact that postdocs face significant affordability challenges. Marc Tessier-Lavigne and I will be sharing next steps on the long-range vision for Stanford later this month, addressing a wide range of issues across the university. Today, however, I'm writing about one specific action we are taking to help our postdoctoral scholars.

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April 25, 2018

Our next campus climate survey

Earlier this academic year, I asked an advisory committee of students, faculty and staff to give me advice on how Stanford should approach its next campus climate survey. I'm writing now to share the news that, informed by the committee's very helpful input, we are planning to join the Association of American Universities (AAU) survey that will be conducted in spring 2019.

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April 10, 2018

Stanford's resolution agreement with OCR

I am writing to share the news that Stanford has completed a resolution agreement with the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) of the U.S. Department of Education. This concludes an investigation that OCR has been conducting for the last three years regarding our response to sexual violence at Stanford and our compliance with Title IX.

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March 14, 2018

On the contemplative garden

Questions continue to be asked by members of our community about a contemplative garden we built last summer at the site of a sexual assault that happened in January of 2015. I would like to correct any misimpressions that have arisen.

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March 2, 2018

Provide your input!

Students and other members of our community often ask me how they can have a voice in decision making at the university. One way is by providing input when we have comment periods on important issues before the university. We have several comment periods under way right now.

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February 23, 2018

Stanford's commitments to undocumented students

This continues to be a time of anxiety and uncertainty for many people in our country, as the federal government works to define a future for those who have been covered under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Stanford continues to stand in firm support of our community, including undocumented students.

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February 15, 2018

A letter on Cardinal Conversations

In a letter published in The Stanford Daily, we address student concerns regarding the Cardinal Conversations series and an appearance by Charles Murray.

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February 13, 2018

Expression and inclusion, part 2

Multiple recent incidents on campus have underscored the depth of challenge we face in simultaneously ensuring inclusion and free expression. They call on us to embrace a higher level of awareness and engagement with others.

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February 1, 2018

The long-range planning white papers

We're excited to have reached today a new milestone in Stanford's long-range planning process: the release to the campus community of 37 white papers that summarize more than 2,800 ideas we received for guiding Stanford's future.

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January 29, 2018

Hoop Dreams: thoughts on diversifying our faculty

Recently I met with Jennifer Widom, dean of the School of Engineering; Stacey Bent, the senior associate dean of engineering; and legendary Stanford women’s basketball coach Tara VanDerveer at the Faculty Club. The topic was the challenge of improving faculty diversity at Stanford.

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