IDEA at Altamont

IDEA at Altamont (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access)

Altamont has built a collaborative, safe space for work to be accelerated in the following priorities listed below.

Also, we have created an online resource where we can update our community on our current state of affairs and answer questions that have been raised in our ongoing dialogue with our students, alumni, faculty, staff and families.

IDEA Priorities

Commit to creating incident reporting mechanisms

Commit to improving the student handbook

This working group will review existing student handbook language around harassment, racism, and bullying and recommend revisions to the task force, faculty, administration and Board of Trustees.

Projected Completion Timeline: December 2020

Working Group Chairs: Danielle Wattleton-Anderson (Dean of Upper School, Black Student Union (BSU) Sponsor and Alum) and Brian Karuki (Alum)

Commit to increasing BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) representation among faculty and administration

This working group will explore ways to broaden the potential talent pool by recruiting from national associations and organizations; establishing and building meaningful relationships with HBCUs nationwide and researching search firms focused on hiring experienced faculty and leadership positions.This group will also explore the feasibility of creating an Office of Diversity and Inclusion at the school.

Working Group Chairs: Chris Durst (Head of School) and Rita Goyal (Trustee)

Commit to developing an inclusive curriculum

This working group will review the existing English and History curriculum to ensure that authors from a wide range of identities are included. It will also look for ways to include content related to current events and social climate, issues of justice, civil rights movements, and white privilege, as well as various interpretive frames and international perspectives in the humanities curriculum.

Working Group Chairs: JP Hemingway (Assistant Head of School for Curriculum) and Andrew Nelson (Chair of the History Department)

Commit to BIPOC representation among the student body

This working group will research ways to increase diversity in the student body. Research will include talking with other independent schools about their existing recruitment programs and researching how to form partnerships with diverse feeder schools. One, three- and five-year goals will be established.

Working Group Chairs: Thomas Goldsmith (Admissions Director) and Katisha Vance (Parent)

Commit to create mentorship support for BIPOC students

Commit to board, faculty and staff, student and parent training

Board of Trustee Commitment to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access

This sub-committee will work with the recently formed IDEA Committee of the Board of Trustee to ensure the Board is focused on best IDEA practices for current operations and strategic planning, and to make recommendations to the Board for the funding of these initiatives.

Working Group Chairs: Camille Underwood (Trustee, Committee Chair), Emily Schultz (Trustee, Alum), and Dottie Pak (Trustee, Committee Chair)

Alumni Association Commitment to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access

This sub-committee will explore ways to increase diversity on the Alumni Association Board and to engage alumni in mentoring students. Through a bylaw revision, the Alumni Association plans to improve structure and communication around the nominating process for members and around the inclusivity to join meetings. Term limits will also be addressed, and more definition/purpose behind the Annual Meeting will be determined.
Working Group Chairs: Charlotte Russ (Advancement Director) and Donald Robinson (Alumni Board President)