History of Peace at Vassar

The purpose of this project was to chronologize the history of peace and justice at Vassar College from its founding in 1861 (and before) to the spring semester of 2025. We looked at three parameters for assessing whether an event fit into the timeline, guided by Swarthmore College’s framework for Peace and Conflict Studies. First, Vassar’s pedagogical evolution towards peace, justice, and conflict studies. Second, Vassar’s engagement with local and world affairs, including protests, fundraisers, and teach-ins. And third, Vassar-specific institutional social change. We focused on where Vassar students, faculty, and administrators furthered peace and justice on campus.