Dr. Proctor's welcome message to students

Below is a message sent to students on August 22, 2024, by Dr. Avis Proctor, president of Harper College:

Dear Students:

This time of year, I always reflect on how I felt in my early days as a first-generation college student – nervousness, pressure and even doubt that I had made the right choice, but also excitement, determination and hope that anything is possible. I imagine many of you can relate to this, and I want to emphasize how honored we are that you are part of the Harper College community. You belong here.

As you settle in, I hope you find ways to embrace all Harper has to offer. Stop by Hullabaloo to learn about our clubs and organizations, bring your family to movie night, discover our many scholarship opportunities, attend the Well-Being Bash, get matched with a buddy, attend your faculty office / drop-in hours. There are so many ways – big and small – to engage with this wonderfully diverse community while managing your busy lives. Harper Happenings is a great resource to learn more.

Amid the excitement, I recognize that some of you begin this semester with concern. I’ve spoken with students who are experiencing deep pain and apprehension about the fall election season, global events and these polarized times of crisis and conflict. I believe we can navigate these challenges together with empathy, understanding and a moral clarity that safety and care for one another are paramount.

Harper stands for our core values of Respect, Integrity, Collaboration and Excellence. You’ll find these embodied throughout campus, including our Cultural Center and Hawks Care. Counseling Services, the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, the Dean of Students Office and other teams are here for you.

We are also committed to you learning and thriving at Harper without fear of harassment. No student should ever have to hide or suppress who they are – be it your faith, culture, beliefs or any part of your identity – for fear of violence or discrimination. While Harper rarely issues statements on national, global and geopolitical issues, the absence of a statement is not a reflection of our lack of empathy or concern. We unapologetically condemn hate in all forms including human rights violations. If you feel there’s an obstacle to the safe and inclusive environment we strive to foster, I invite you to speak with our supportive teams or Report a Concern on our website.

Central to our students’ personal and academic growth is engaging with individuals with different ideas and viewpoints, as long as you feel safe doing so. As a higher education institution, Harper both values and has a responsibility to protect the fundamental constitutional right to free speech and freedom of expression. These protections cannot be forfeited, even if you disagree with the speech.

To better prepare you to engage in vigorous debate while maintaining a climate of mutual respect, I encourage you to proactively equip yourself with tangible tools including familiarizing yourself with our voting and civic engagement resources and events. Building a community that reflects the highest ideals of democracy is a responsibility that falls to each of us.

Whether you’re at the beginning of your journey here or nearing the conclusion, Harper is invested in you and your well-being. We will provide opportunities to engage in collaborative dialogue, share any concerns or needs you have, and gain greater understanding about challenging issues. We care about you and want to help you SOAR on your Path for Success!

Thank you for choosing Harper. I look forward to meeting and learning from many of you in the year ahead. Best wishes for a fantastic semester!

Forward together,

Dr. Avis Proctor
President
Harper College