Williams College Cancels Classes to Hold Forums on Diversity

Williams College in western Massachusetts is among the highest-rated liberal arts institutions in the nation. Despite its rural location, Williams College is also among the leaders in racial diversity among the nation’s top liberal arts colleges.

But the college is not resting in its effort to make Williams a welcoming place for all students. On a recent Thursday the college canceled all classes to hold what was called “Claiming Williams Day.” That day there were five major presentations and 18 community forums including panels on race, gender, and sexual orientation. Although attendance was not mandatory, between 50 and 100 students attended each of the forums.

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