”We, members of the Black Alumnae of Harvard Equity Initiative (BAHEI), and the additional undersigned, are writing to express our serious concern about the attacks on Dr. Claudine Gay, the University’s first Black president, that led to her unfortunate resignation, after a mere six months in office,” the petition to Harvard states. “Our joy turned to dismay as we watched Dr. Gay endure vitriol with no well-coordinated defense to counter the well-coordinated attacks. As Harvard alumni, we believe it is imperative that the University heed the lessons to be learned from this controversy.”

Members of the Black Alumnae of Harvard Equity Initiative wrote in the letter, “We want to know how Harvard will handle the selection of the next President, and how the University plans to deal with the ongoing assault on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEl) at Harvard, in academia, and in society more broadly.”