The university is addressing "on multiple fronts" the alleged misconduct of a professor in the Africana Studies and Research Center (ASRC), Provost Kent Fuchs said in a letter to concerned Africana alumni on Monday.

Grant Farred, a professor of English and Africana studies, has admitted making an inappropriate remark to two female graduate students whom he advises while all three were attending an academic conference Feb. 5-6 in Rochester, N.Y. News of the incident has prompted concerns among Africana students, faculty and alumni.

Fuchs and Alice Pell, vice provost for international relations, attended part of a meeting with about 25 faculty and students at the Africana Center on April 12. The discussion focused on the academic and social climate at the center.

"Having a facilitated meeting focused on climate issues in Africana was a step forward," Pell said. "A clear process involving discussion to resolve differences is needed. The goal of the process is to create an environment that is welcoming to all and allows people to work productively."

Fuchs' letter is in response to an April 6 open letter from 39 Cornell and Africana alumni addressed to Fuchs, President David Skorton and ASRC Director Salah Hassan. The alumni stated concerns about the incident creating "a hostile working and learning environment" at the ASRC, and criticized a lack of public disclosure and dialogue about the incident and how it is being handled.

"President Skorton and I have been concerned as well by what has transpired," Fuchs wrote. "Both the Africana leadership and the central administration have been actively engaged on multiple fronts to address the incident involving our students as well as the broader issues of climate in Africana."

Fuchs continued: "At the university level, members of my staff and I have been working continuously since this incident occurred with the Africana leadership, the Graduate School, the Division of Human Resources, individual faculty members and others to understand and address all dimensions of the conflict."

Hassan sent a letter on April 4 to Africana graduate students, faculty and alumni, saying in part that "there is no place for sexism and racism or any other form of discrimination and harassment at Africana and Cornell." He also detailed several steps that had been taken since the incident.

Hassan said he advised the two students on Feb. 9 about the formal university process of grievance available to them, to which they agreed to avail themselves, and he contacted the students' current professors to safeguard their academic progress. The students agreed to a formal and confidential university investigation being conducted by the Division of Human Resources.

Prior to a meeting with ASRC graduate students Feb. 15, Hassan removed Farred from the position of director of graduate studies at the center, a role that has been assumed by Professor Judith Byfield until the end of the semester. Deputy Provost David Harris attended a special meeting of Africana faculty Feb. 17, and the faculty issued a statement to current graduate students, reiterating its commitment to maintain an environment free of discrimination.

A committee -- including professors Byfield, Carole Boyce Davies and Robert Harris and two graduate students -- was also formed, to "come up with specific plans for any further discussion between faculty and students," Hassan said.

"The well-being of our students and Africana as a collective whole is our utmost priority," Hassan said. "We are redoubling our efforts to create a more positive and supportive and professional environment."

Fuchs also addressed the investigation in his letter: "While I understand the natural desire to have this process reach a quick conclusion, protection of the rights of the victims and the accused is a hallmark of the grievance system. Failure to follow this process might undermine its validity and its ultimate outcome."