Statements/Messages from President Starr

Friday’s news of the U.S. Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade and eliminate federal protection of abortion rights is a critical moment for this country.

I am pleased to give you an update on the process for selecting Pomona’s next vice president for academic affairs and dean of the college.

I’m writing with an update on our response to the Campus Climate Survey conducted last year.

The Associated Students of Pomona College leadership voted to stop “categorical spending on items that knowingly support the Israeli occupation of Palestine or contributes to any companies on the aforementioned United Nations list.”

Let’s acknowledge the trial of Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd has been a painful experience for so many people across the world, no more so than for Mr. Floyd’s loved ones.

We are writing with good news: Construction of the new athletics, recreation and wellness center will begin in February, with completion expected in time for the Fall 2022 semester.

This isn’t over, not by a long shot. Jan. 6, 2021 was not the day time stopped; even though it may have felt that way. But it was a day when we were called to recognize something.

At this tense moment, while we are watching and waiting for the outcome of the US. election, I’m writing to connect with you about the days ahead.

Early this morning, we learned that Jennifer Doudna ’85 and her collaborator, Emmanuelle Charpentier, have received the 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their groundbreaking work on the CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing tool.

After a process of consultation and at the request of the Seaver family, joined with the support of the Board of Trustees, I am writing to announce the Millikan name will be removed from 610 N. College Ave.