| Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:
Today you received a message from University Trustees Richard Alexander and Jeffrey Scruggs, co-leads of the Board of Trustees Special Committee on University Climate, Diversity and Inclusion. The committee has completed its comprehensive review and delivered its final report and recommendations [PDF] to advance the University’s goals in diversity, inclusion, equity and accessibility. I appreciate the committee’s work and am most grateful for the students, faculty, staff, alumni and independent experts who shared their experiences, counsel and wisdom. These recommendations are a direct result of our community’s willingness to participate honestly and constructively. The committee has given us several tangible actions that will serve to position all of our students, faculty and staff for success, regardless of their race, background, religion or life experiences. Implementation of some recommendations is already underway, with the rest to be fulfilled promptly. The committee’s work is one piece of the University’s larger effort to foster an inclusive and respectful campus environment for everyone. The delivery of this report follows the completion of former U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch’s independent review of the Department of Public Safety (DPS) and framework for a DPS Community Review Board. Still forthcoming are the results and insights from the campus climate pulse survey that was conducted by Dr. Damon Williams. All this work will inform the creation of a Universitywide strategic plan focused on advancing our goals relative to diversity, inclusion, equity and accessibility. As I shared with our community last week, there is no endpoint to this work. We aspire to be the example of a University that is welcoming to all. I am confident that the commitment and collective efforts of every corner of our community will get us there. Sincerely, |