From: Morton.Owen.Schapiro@williams.edu
Date: May 12, 2004 4:55:40 PM EDT
To: williams-personnel@williams.edu, williams-students@williams.edu
Subject: Message from the President

May 12, 2004

To the Williams Community,

For several years the Music Department has held an end-of-year cookout at 
the home of Chair David Kechley.  It's been called the Kechley Krazy 
Kookout.  An e-mail invitation was sent this year by a department staff 
person.  The person added the name of the event's initials, which, of 
course, are KKK.

It is clear that this was done with no bad intent.  The purpose, in fact, 
was the playful one of drawing attention to the alliteration. The person 
who made that addition now realizes how unsettling the presence of those 
letters are to members of our community.  No one could feel worse about 
that outcome than this person already does. Apologies have been sent to 
those who received the message.

This occurrence is clearly unfortunate.  While it happened without malice, 
it provides an opportunity as a college to acknowledge again publicly the 
importance to Williams of racial and ethnic understanding.  Be assured that 
the College's commitment to making our campus community open and welcoming 
is unwavering.

Sincerely,

Morton Owen Schapiro
President