Dear Members of the TC Community:

As we enter the month of October, we reflect on how difficult the past year has been. The pain and suffering of so many is palpable. At Teachers College, we are focused on finding meaningful ways to come together. To that end, we are writing to share some educational opportunities through our Advancing Community Together (ACT) initiative through which we invite you to learn, listen and engage in dialogue.

Listening Sessions
Two initial sessions, led by Peter Coleman, Professor of Psychology and Education and 
Director, Morton Deutsch International Center for Cooperation and Conflict Resolution (MD-ICCCR), will offer a group of students and a group of faculty the opportunity to listen and learn from one another about how our community is experienced on an individual level. Registration will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until capacity is reached. These sessions are intentionally small — no more than 30 participants — so that they can be meaningful and interactive. Our registration form includes a way to let us know of your interest even when we reach capacity, so that we may look into scheduling additional sessions. Information for a staff session is forthcoming.

• Faculty Session
  Tuesday, October 15
  4:00-5:30 p.m.
  Horace Mann 234
  Register here
  
  
• Student Session
  Tuesday, October 22
  4:00-5:30 p.m.
  Grace Dodge 539
  Register here

Fall Training Sessions: Addressing Discrimination – Reporting and Responding
Understanding what to do if you have experienced or witnessed discrimination is important for everyone to know, as is understanding the College’s process of investigation and response. Please join our series, hosted by the Office of the Vice President for Diversity and Community Affairs: 

• Faculty/Staff Sessions
  Tuesday, October 22 and Wednesday, November 20
  12:00-1:00 p.m.
  Register here
  
  
• Student Sessions
  Thursday, October 24 and Tuesday, November 19 
  4:00-5:00 p.m.
  Register here

We have also scheduled a brown-bag lunch series for faculty to enhance their skills in facilitating classroom conversations on challenging topics. An invitation will be sent directly to faculty.

In recognition that these are very challenging times for many of our community members, we want to remind you of resources we have available for individual support:

• Students may contact Student Support & Advocacy (SSA) by completing this contact form or contact Columbia University's Counseling and Psychological Services for counseling and mental health support.
• Employees may access counseling support through the Employee Assistance Program (employees and their household members can receive up to five (5) free sessions per topic with a certified counselor).
• All TC community members can contact Columbia University’s Office of Religious Life for religious and spiritual support.

Throughout the year, we will continue to offer programming and will update you on opportunities as they are launched. Please also reference the ACT landing page, which will serve as a central point of information and efforts as they occur. 

We will continue to do all that we can to support our TC community, and thank you for joining us in these efforts. 

Warmly,

Thomas Bailey
President
Teachers College


Janice S. Robinson
Vice President for Diversity & Community Affairs
Co-Chair, ACT Steering Committee


Tani Castañeda
Vice President, Division of Enrollment & Student Success
Co-Chair, ACT Steering Committee