AndoverMagSpring2015

LCG At CAMD, I’m always on theground: kids, kids, kids. And I loveit! In my new role, I get to workat the strategic level and stay connectedwith the kids. It’s the best ofboth worlds. I’ll maintain an officein CAMD, as well as a workingspace in George Washington Hall.KBO How has multicultural workevolved over the years?LCG Originally our focus was on theUsing the “Platinum Rule”marginalized, the minority. Affirmingimproves cross-culturaland providing opportunities foraccess to those students. The work hascommunication and buildsevolved as our community has increasinglybecome more diverse. This year,feelings of mutual respect.for example, we received applicationsfrom students in 96 different countries.Ninety-six countries! No longer can the how we’re socialized, our experiencesconversation be only about the marginalizedor the minority; it also must be sure—or lack of exposure—to viewsin various communities, and our expo-about the majority and the privileged different from our own. Unconsciousin our community. We must maintain a bias affects how we interact withglobal lens. When you’re in an institutionthat cares about excellence, you’re we don’t say. It even affects whom wepeople, as well as what we say and whatalways asking, “What’s next?” Here we might decide to talk to—or not.are again, asking, “What’s next?” In Strangers to Ourselves: Discovering theKBO The term microaggression is heard Adaptive Unconscious, Professor Timoften on campus. What does it mean? Wilson of the University of Virginiaestimates that our sensory systems takeLCG Microaggressions are subtle in 11 million bits of information perwords, cues, or behaviors that insult, second and yet conscious awarenessinvalidate, or exclude traditionally processes only about 40 of them. Sincemarginalized group members. I like the brain cannot process all of thatthe term because it emphasizes the fact information, we take mental shortcutsthat these are not intentional. They’re that can lead to bias. The bottom line?micro, and they happen because of We must become aware of our ownunconscious biases we all have.stereotypical biases and blind spots.KBO Can you define unconscious bias? KBO Over the past 16 months, we’veLCG This refers to our unconscious attitudesor stereotypes that affect how we of Inclusivity and Multiculturalismbeen working on the Assessmenttreat people. These biases are formed by (AIM) survey. What is it and how willit inform the steps we take from here?•1830s•1835| Scholarship boys live in the Latin and EnglishCommons; full-pay boys board in private residences.The Commons boys are required to work at leasttwo hours a day on PA’s two farms.24 Andover | Spring 2015Platinum Rule“Treat othersthe way theywant to betreated.”Forty PA students areexpelled for attemptingto organize a studentabolitionist society.LCG The AIM survey is a tool usedby independent schools to assess theoverall climate of an institution as itrelates to inclusivity. It was the first stepof a two-part comprehensive evaluationof campus climate, and it’s significantbecause while we had many anecdotalstories of microaggressions, inequities,injustices, and incidents that involve alack of cultural competency, we didn’thave quantitative data. In spring 2014,Mike Barker, director of institutionalresearch and assessment, initiated andimplemented the survey.The second step was to conduct focusgroups with alumni, trustees, students,staff, and others. A full report on theresults of the two-part study is beingprepared for release and discussion inearly fall. The combination of the quantitativeand qualitative will allow us tobe more precise and more strategic inhow we move forward in our goals ofequity and inclusivity.KBO I’ve often heard you refer to the“head/heart/hand.” Can you explainwhat that means?LCG One of the challenges in a schoolthat strongly values academic excellenceis that people often focus on thescholarship. They might even focus onthe data exclusively and think that’senough to create an engaging, inclusiveclimate. But it’s not. You also need thestories from the hearts of our experiencesand actions to make change.This is why I love the AIM survey. Notonly does it support PA’s foundingideal of “goodness and knowledge,” butit also encompasses the head, heart,and hand. The quantitative data is thehead. The qualitative is the heart—thestories people share about life on this•1838| | Andover’s earliest known African Americanstudent, Horace James, graduates. Jamessettles in Liberia, where he serves as thatcountry’s treasurer.