Supporting One Another through Uncertain Times

Dear Harvey Mudd College Community,

I and other members of Cabinet have heard from many of you regarding your concerns about recent executive orders, dear colleague letters, and policy directives from the White House. I deeply understand and sympathize with the uncertainty and anxiety these changes may be causing some members of our community, and I want to assure you that Harvey Mudd College remains committed to supporting you.

We have been actively monitoring these changes in policy, consulting with the College’s legal counsel and national experts, as well as working with and through campus offices and our sister colleges in the consortium to build partnerships to help us navigate this evolving landscape together. Staff at the College are working hard to understand and address these new directives and their potential impact on HMC as they are issued.

As we have seen just in the last couple of weeks, several of these directives have already been challenged in court, and it will take time for the legal process to play out. We will continue to monitor these developments and provide guidance. In particular, we are maintaining five main channels of communication: 

1. We have created a Community Support page with key resources and contacts. We will update this page as reliable information emerges. 
2. College leaders are being proactive in reaching out to provide support on an individual level and of course are standing by to take your call, read your messages, and meet with you.
3. Essential updates will be shared via the bi-weekly faculty and staff e-newsletter, Mudd on the Ground.
4. Community conversations—including Coffee with the Cabinet and programming from the Office of Civic and Community Engagement and the Division of Student Affairs—will provide space for dialogue and support.
5. Leadership team meetings with the Department Chairs Committee (DCC); the Faculty Executive Committee (FEC), which includes leaders from ASHMC; the Office of Human Resources, and Cabinet.

In times like these, it is more important than ever that as a community, we stand together, uphold our shared values, and care for one another. If you are feeling stressed or overwhelmed, I ask that you please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’ve pulled together information on several resources available via our Community Support page for students, faculty and staff. But beyond seeking individual support, I encourage each of us to check in on one another, to listen, and to extend kindness. Now is not the time to sow division and fear, but rather, it is the time for us to come together and support one another.

The Harvey Mudd College community remains committed to its mission, vision and shared values. I thank you for all you do to make Harvey Mudd a place of integrity, of shared community, and of resilience. We will get through this—not just as individuals, but as a community. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have concerns or need support.

With care and resolve,

Harriet B. Nembhard

President