From: Jeanette C. Takamura <jtakamura@columbia.edu>
Date: Tue, Apr 26, 2011 at 8:52 AM
Subject: Capstone
To: jct8@columbia.edu
Cc: mr108@columbia.edu, wh41@columbia.edu, mmo34@columbia.edu, fs2114@columbia.edu, mry5@columbia.edu

Dear Students,

We gain much in the course of difficult situations if we hold ourselves as professionals to the standard of critical, reflective thinking before a rush to judgment occurs. You have voiced concerns about the Capstone Project designed and being conducted by a faculty committee. As you know, the Capstone Project has become part of the School's tradition. It is an enormous, earnest undertaking by the faculty committee, aimed at enabling all second-year students to apply two years of knowledge and skills towards the demonstration of your best professional selves.

I invite you to meet with the Capstone Committee to dialogue about the issues that are of concern. Here, facts are all important, as is an awareness of the nature of narratives and how we and others utilize ourselves. Indeed, herein may well be the greatest and most valuable lessons for all. Once the conversation, exploration, and ascertaining of facts have been completed, we all will be on much more sure footing, factually, ethically, and professionally. Until then, out of respect for Eli Painted Crow and ALL parties concerned and in the interest of not inflaming a situation without pertinent and pivotal information, please refer all communications from Eli Painted Crow to the Capstone Committee. Your faculty committee is ever mindful of the difference between intent and impact and seeks to work with you. Dean Yoshioka or the Committee will follow this email with dates and times for a meeting.

Best,
Dean Takamura