On Friday, May 17, 2024, Dean Srikant Datar, HBS Alumni Board President Andreas Stavropoulos (MBA 1997), and members of the School’s leadership held an online forum for alumni to learn more about the School’s activities and actions since October 7, 2023. Stavropoulos moderated the event, posing questions to the panel based on the themes expressed in the more than 300 questions participants had submitted in advance.

The conversation featured updates and insights from Jana Pompadur Kierstead, Executive Director, MBA and Doctoral Programs and External Relations; Matthew Weinzierl, Senior Associate Dean and Chair, MBA Program; and the faculty co-chairs of the Antisemitism and the Islamophobia and Anti-Arabism Working Groups: Hakeem Belo-Osagie (co-chair, Islamophobia and Anti-Arabism Working Group), Joshua Margolis (co-chair, Antisemitism Working Group), and Kristin Mugford (co-chair of the Antisemitism and the Islamophobia and Anti-Arabism Working Groups).

The Working Group leaders discussed some of their initial actions, including a curriculum review before the spring term began, expanded training for faculty and staff, the formation of student advisory councils, and case development to address knowledge gaps. They also outlined future areas of focus such as strengthening the ability of faculty, staff, and students to engage in difficult conversations, and improving the processes for reporting concerning incidents and communicating disciplinary processes and consequences. Dean Datar emphasized how important the School’s community values have been to the Working Groups’ efforts. “Respect, honesty and integrity, and accountability are the foundation for so much of our work,” Dean Datar said. “They are an important counterpoint to the right of free expression in a learning model where you want people to debate and discuss difficult issues.”

Kierstead and Weinzierl noted that steps have been taken to support students’ physical safety, including increased security measures, as well as their emotional safety, including individual counseling and resources for section leaders and student clubs. “We have a diversity of views. Sometimes that brings us together and sometimes that divides us,” said Kierstead. “But we also have a group of very pragmatic [student] leaders who are all interested in business and that ties us all together. And they’ve come to work through problems. We're helping them do that.”

“Faculty, staff, and alumni have stepped up to support our students and one another even when they might have needed support themselves,” Dean Datar noted. “As I have said many times before, we have not gotten everything right. There have been missteps. But what I can also say is that this team and our community are dedicated to learning and improving. Even with our focus on short-term actions, we are looking ahead to the fall and beyond to ensure we follow through on recommendations that will persist and endure. We know we have work to do and I want to assure you that we have a commitment to doing it.”

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