Below is the Commission on Equity, Civility and Respect's response to the discussions in the open forums, as of June 2, 2008.

• The most recent version of the recommendations.
• The original letter and set of recommendations.
  

Response to Open Forums

In response to the comments we have received thus far via e-mail and at the open forum, the Co-chairs of the Commission on Equity, Civility and Respect for All would like to assure you that our final recommendations to the Provost of Johns Hopkins University will accomplish the following:

1. Place the entire strategic document in an historical perspective. We will acknowledge many of the efforts that have been made toward increasing diversity as well as equity, civility, and respect over many years in the history of this Institution.
2. State or identify efforts that are currently ongoing in these directions.
3. Define as clearly as possible equity, civility, and respect as well as diversity. We will also make it clear why we believe that diversity is a high level issue within the concepts of equity, civility, and respect.
4. Recognize the distinctions between our various populations. We will clarify which of the strategic issues apply to faculty, staff, students, and/or leaders, and acknowledge that each unit of the University differs remarkably in terms of values, needs, goals, and approaches to these issues.
5. Acknowledge the need to maintain the right to freedom of speech as we pursue the Commission’s goals.
6. Develop strategies and approaches that are perceived less as top down and punitive, but more representative of the feelings and desires of the entire University community.
7. Urge the use of rewards, honors and/or financial support as the primary means for achieving the intended goals.