Faculty members packed into Mills Hall last Friday for their first meeting of the year. In a 90-minute gathering facilitated by Associate Professor of Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies Jay Sosa, faculty discussed President Safa Zaki’s new ad-hoc committee on the College’s investment strategy, data from the Office of Admissions about the Class of 2028 and the College’s transition from Banner to Workday.

Following an introduction by the Committee for Faculty Governance and a welcome to new faculty members, President Zaki took to the microphone to present her report. First emphasizing her excitement for the year ahead, she then discussed the College’s intent to work with an architectural firm this year on a new campus planning process and her decision to form the ad-hoc committee.

Several faculty members inquired about the new ad-hoc committee. Associate Professor of History Salar Mohandesi expressed his concern about the committee’s ability to properly respond to the geopolitical conflict that drove its inception.

“When I read the email announcing the committee, I was struck by the fact that there was very little context.… There was no mention of Israel, Palestine, prisoners, famine, ethnic cleansing, divestment [or] disclosure,” Mohandesi said. “I understand why there could be some advantages to decoupling this committee from Palestine … [but] I’m wondering if you could say a little bit more about why the decision was made to downplay or even sever the link between this committee and the specific issue that animated its creation in the first place.”

Zaki responded to Mohandesi by saying that she thinks the committee will work within its political context.

“I don’t believe that I was downplaying the issue and certainly not severing it. If you look at the email, there’s a part that says the committee will be having a conversation in this particular context,” Zaki said.

Other professors raised concerns over the personnel of the committee.

“Does the committee include student representation from [Bowdoin Students for Justice in Palestine] or some of the members who are involved in that? And if it doesn’t, could one be added?” Associate Professor of History and Asian Studies Rachel Sturman asked. “I’m just wondering how the committee is going to bring in the specific issue.”

Zaki responded with her thought process behind student representation on the committee.

“One of the things that I aimed for was to make sure that the committee included people who would listen, who were highly respected by their peers and [for whom] there wasn’t a litmus test for their political opinion of any sort,” Zaki said. “There are lots of ways to put together this committee and this was the way that I chose.”

Senior Vice President and Dean of Admissions and Student Aid Claudia Marroquin spoke later in the afternoon about the Class of 2028. She discussed the demographics of the newly enrolled students, from their academic interests to the places they call home.

Both Marroquin and Zaki noted the data’s significance, as it concerns the first class to be admitted following the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down race-based affirmative action. Zaki underscored the College’s continued commitment to diversity.

“I just wanted to take this opportunity to reiterate our firm commitment to bringing to Bowdoin the most diverse student body that we can,” Zaki said. “The way I think about that is the Supreme Court decision took away one of the tools in our toolboxes, but it did not take away the principle that guides that work. We continue to think about new ways to make this a reality.”

The meeting provided an opportunity to welcome new faculty and staff members. Jim Hoppe, who began serving as senior vice president and dean for student affairs in July, gave a brief introduction to his colleagues.

“I’m so very excited to be here at Bowdoin.… It’s nice that everything I thought I knew about Bowdoin in terms of its support for students and attention and care and support—I’m seeing play out,” Hoppe said.

The meeting also addressed the College’s transition from Banner to Workday as its Enterprise Resource Planning partner. Professor of History and Associate Dean for Curriculum Dallas Denery discussed the current timeline for the transition, which will take place officially in mid-March.

The faculty will convene next on Friday, September 27 in Mills Hall.