Yale’s Trust Committee Launches Listening Sessions for Feedback
The newly formed Committee on Trust in Higher Education at Yale University held its first listening session on October 18, 2023. Established by University President Maurie McInnis, the committee aims to explore the declining trust in universities and gather insights from students and staff. The initiative, which McInnis announced in April, will culminate in a report by the end of the academic year detailing findings and recommendations.
Beverly Gage, a history professor and co-chair of the committee, emphasized that the group’s focus would extend beyond external perceptions of universities. “Our mandate is a little bit more the external trust question,” she stated, while acknowledging the connection to campus climate and interpersonal trust. The committee, composed entirely of tenured faculty, plans to utilize feedback from these sessions to shape its direction.
During the inaugural session, approximately ten participants shared their thoughts on internal trust issues at Yale, particularly in light of ongoing budget constraints. Student Riley Avelar, one of three undergraduates present, noted the importance of understanding how Yale’s affordability impacts its national reputation. “I think it’s really important to include in this report how Yale’s affordability affects how we are perceived on a national scale,” Avelar remarked.
The listening sessions are designed as small-group discussions focused on trust in higher education. Gage highlighted potential topics for exploration, including political diversity, admission processes, and the cost of education. In an email, fellow co-chair Julia Adams, a sociology professor, called gathering feedback “vital for the committee’s work.”
McInnis has granted the committee the freedom to determine how to present its findings to both the university and the public. Gage indicated that the forthcoming report will not only outline the challenges of trust in higher education but also propose actionable steps for Yale to address both internal and external mistrust. “Our assumption is that the report is going to be one node of what we do,” she explained. “But then once the report comes out, there’s a lot more conversation to facilitate.”
In addition to the listening sessions, the committee will offer a course next semester titled HIST 3127: “Trust et Veritas: The Public Legitimacy of Universities.” This class aims to engage with primary sources in Yale’s archives to investigate the factors contributing to the erosion of public trust in American universities.
Criticism has arisen regarding the committee’s exclusive faculty membership. Gage responded by stating that any solutions to trust issues must originate from within universities rather than external commentators. “We need to face some of the critiques and problems that we’ve encountered quite seriously and then think about solutions that align with our values, our priorities,” Gage asserted.
The committee is also open to feedback via its website and is actively seeking concerns from alumni and external groups. The specific organizations influencing the committee’s discussions have not been disclosed by Gage or Adams.
Future listening sessions are scheduled for October 23, 28, and 29, 2023, providing additional opportunities for community input on this significant issue.
