An Important Message About TASS 2027

Dear Telluride Community,

For generations, the Telluride Association Summer Seminar (TASS) has brought students together for an intensive experience rooted in learning, community and personal growth. As we look to the future of TASS, the Telluride Association Board has decided to undertake a thorough review of the program to ensure it continues to reflect our values and serve students as effectively as possible.

To give that review the time and attention it deserves, the Telluride Association will not offer TASS summer sessions in 2027. 

The Board made this decision after careful deliberation and in response to challenges experienced during the 2026 program year. The early conclusion of the 2026 TASS Ithaca session following an unexpected staffing shortfall, together with other challenges and questions that arose over the course of the year, made clear that it was time to take a comprehensive look at the program. The Board concluded that a pause is necessary to do that work thoughtfully and thoroughly.

Every aspect of TASS will be examined as part of the review. Areas of focus will include, but are not limited to:

• Curriculum and organizing principles
• Staffing strategies
• Student recruitment and safety
• Communications with students and families
• Program operations and the day-to-day student experience

The review will be grounded in the Telluride Association’s core values of antiracism, curiosity, democracy, community and transformation. Those commitments are not under review. Rather, we will examine how faithfully TASS reflects them in its structure, programming and day-to-day experience.

We are committed to a transparent and inclusive process. We will engage alumni, associates and other members of the Telluride community throughout the review and welcome their perspectives. We will provide opportunities for our community to participate, share information as the process moves forward and communicate key decisions as they are made.

We are undertaking this work because we believe TASS is worth protecting and strengthening for the future. We recognize that pausing the program means a cohort of students will not have the opportunity to participate in TASS in 2027, and we do not take that lightly. Our intent is for TASS to return renewed and refreshed, while remaining connected to its history, its community and its longstanding commitment to students.

If you have questions about TASS or the 2027 program pause, please contact us at tass-queries@tellurideassociation.org.

We will continue to share updates here as the review progresses.

Sincerely,
The Telluride Association Board of Directors