College Statements and Constructive Dialogue

April 24, 2025

To: Members of the John Jay Community
Re: College Statements and Constructive Dialogue

Over the last few years, we have been witnessing considerable change, navigating complex issues and negotiating deeply held opinions. Amid this, how can we create an environment that fosters constructive dialogue, respectfully engages different perspectives and supports academic freedom? 

With this in mind, I recently engaged the John Jay community on two questions: 1) When do we speak? (When should I make a statement on behalf of the College?) and 2) How do we speak? (How do we equip our community for productive dialogue on challenging topics?). I am deeply grateful to all of you who shared your insights, which helped me understand the complexities of campus opinion.

I heard a range of viewpoints reflecting deep commitment to our values. Above all, I want to ensure that we continue to live by these values. Our dedication to educating for justice and our commitment to academic freedom stand on a foundation of open inquiry, robust dialogue and thoughtful reflection. Considering this, I anticipate sharing institutional statements only in very rare circumstances that directly affect the ability of the College to fulfill its main mission – educating our students – or when John Jay’s unique perspective is likely to significantly influence an outcome. 

Additionally, we have been working with the Constructive Dialogue Institute on campus-wide opportunities that support productive dialogue on challenging topics in and outside the classroom. Daniel Matos, interim vice president for enrollment management and student affairs, and Dominic Stellini, dean of students, will be engaging John Jay students, faculty and staff on a framework that we anticipate launching during the fall 2025 semester.

Thank you for your commitment to John Jay, and please continue to listen to each other, learn from each other and respect each other. 

Warmly,

Karol V. Mason
President