Williams College

On June 29, 2023, Williams College issued a statement in response to the Supreme Court's ruling on affirmative action which states, "Diversity, inclusion and access are core values at Williams. We write to you together, as president and Board chair, to affirm that today’s decision will not change those commitments. We especially want to reassert Williams’ commitment to racial diversity, given that race was the central issue in both cases. We are committed to modifying our processes as necessary to continue seeking and supporting a diverse, vibrant and exceptional learning community within the new legal context."

The College uses "Transformative and Social Justice Education models" to lead workshops and training. "Social Identity 101" teaches students to think "critically" about race, gender, ethnicity, class, ability, and "other social identities." The class discusses themes of " systems of power, privilege, and marginalization." Other diversity and inclusion workshops include "Group Dynamics," "Facilitation Challenging Discussions," and "Allyship."

The Office of Institutional Diversity and Equity holds workshops on identity, bias, and "other topics," "including those that focus on religion, micro- and macro-aggressions and affirmations, Title IX, and accessibility."

The Chemistry Department has devised a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Action Plan as of the summer of 2020.

The General Education requirements include a "Difference, Power, and Equity (DPE)" course. The requirement explores themes of "race, class, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, and religion."

The college encourages students to "report a bias incident if they have been subjected to discrimination [or] harassment" through the "bias incident reporting" tool.

Search committee members are required to attend "workshops to raise awareness and minimize the impact of bias in hiring." 

The college is giving Summer Opportunity Grants for students to "define how to advance racial and social justice initiatives" this summer.

The "Towards Inclusion, Diversity, & Equity (TIDE)" grant program provides up to $5000 for approved research projects. This year is highlighting projects on racial justice.

The College hosts two free summer programs, "Summer Science Program and Summer Humanities and Social Sciences," which are aimed at "historically underrepresented groups."

 The Allison Davis Research Fellowship aims to increase "racial and socioeconomic diversity in higher education" by helping "students from historically underrepresented groups" prepare for academic careers.

Williams College has a course that focuses on "cultural politics, political geographies, and historical development of racial capitalism." According to the school's website, the course will do this “through and against a history of racial capitalism that privileges the U.S. nation-state in particular.”

The Davis Center has provided students with a list of anti-racism resources.

The Davis Center Initiative sponsors many events related to "identity, history, and cultures." Including "lunchtime dialogues on critical race theory," "monthly social change film talks," "guest lectures on mental health and wholeness for Black, Indigenous and People of Color, " and others.

The Pathways for Inclusive Excellence provides "opportunities and programs that work to eradicate racial and socio-economic disparities in higher education."

The College DEI Working Group Plan "recommends all units – administrative and academic -develop a DEI plan." Each plan must discuss how "operations support the College’s goal of developing and maintaining a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community."

A Land Acknowledgment was released, recognizing that the School resides on "the ancestral homelands of the Stockbridge-Munsee Mohicans, who are the Indigenous peoples of the region." The School stated, "We pay honor and respect to their ancestors past and present as we commit to building a more inclusive and equitable space for all."

The College released a statement on racial justice which states, that it "is committed to furthering racial justice in the United States and abroad and will develop and support racial justice fellowships, internships and related opportunities for students to learn alongside racial justice advocates and to promote racial justice initiatives." Following this, the School contributed $500,000 "over five years to support and invest in racial justice efforts in Berkshire County and nationally."