Date: October 19, 2021
Yesterday I had a full report on Dean’s Table. This is a good and helpful vehicle for seminarians to raise questions and issues. One particular issue that was raised was “communication.” Especially in respect to Convocation, there was a sense that the communication could have been clearer. Was it possible, for example, for seminarians to attend alumni events?
Naturally, all things can be improved. And we always appreciate the feedback. The two main vehicles of communication in the Seminary are the Weekly Communique and the Dean’s Commentary (congratulations, you are reading it). On October 11 in the Commentary, a very explicit invitation to the lecture by Dr. Donyelle McCray was issued to everyone, with an invitation to “sign up here.” Now, of course, it is the Commentary. One might object that it would be great if it were an email instead; but in this weird world in which we live, it was in response to student complaints about the overwhelming number of emails that we created the Communique, thereby reducing the full inbox phenomenon. The same invitation was posted there.
For those who read the Commentary and the Communique, I would love further feedback on what is missed in terms of communication. I am more than happy to provide additional instruments, but would love to know what exactly we are missing in terms of communication with the community.
The Very Rev. Ian S. Markham, Ph.D.
Dean and President