In October 1986, President Steven Muller appointed Vice President Joseph S. Hall to head the Human Climate Task Force at Homewood. This Task Force was charged with recommending improved procedures and processes for the resolution of specific problems such as the status of women, academic dishonesty, and faculty-student relations. In a memorandum dated October 16, 1986, Dr. Muller expressed the desire to achieve a campus climate in which sensitive issues such as these could be addressed in a spirit of mutual respect, civility, and open cooperation.

To better fulfill the mission of the Task Force, Hall created six subcommittees, each to evaluate a different aspect of the human climate at Homewood. The areas studied by these subcommittees included Health Issues, Interpersonal Relations, Moral Values, Security, Student-Centered Issues, and Women and Minorities.

The Task Force met, together and in subcommittees, from February to September, 1987. On October 23, 1987, the final report of their findings was submitted to the President.