February 9, 2001
In this letter to the Washington University community, Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton affirms the University's commitment to equal opportunity and cultural diversity.
Washington University is committed to providing equal opportunity for all who come to work and study here. For more than 30 years, we have actively and energetically recruited minority students, faculty and staff, and we believe we are well on our way to creating a campus where many different ethnic groups come together to learn not only from our professors but also from each other.
In recent history, programs created for minorities have been challenged in various legislative bodies and courts, and those arguing against them have stated that individuals should be judged solely on their own merits regardless of family, economic status, race, ethnic group, religion or gender. Indeed, most Americans support this sentiment.
It is possible, however, to share this conviction and still believe that affirmative action programs are just and necessary. During the course of our country's past, many people by virtue of their race, ethnic group, disability status or gender have been excluded from many opportunities, including the opportunity to have the best educational experience possible. For some years, our country has been engaged in righting some of these wrongs with a view to creating a successful multiethnic, multiracial society that provides the same level of opportunities for all. In this effort, we as a country have made giant strides, but clearly we have not yet reached the goal.
As a private institution, Washington University has the advantage of being able to set its own goals. However, with this freedom comes the responsibility to formulate and pursue priorities that are in the best interest of our country as a whole. It is with this in mind that Washington University energetically reaffirms its affirmative action policies and gives high priority to attracting talented, academically gifted students, faculty members and administrators of diverse backgrounds.
Every effort shall be made by our management team to ensure that all University programs, employment decisions and personnel actions are administered in conformance with the principles of equal opportunity. Just as we share the responsibility to strive for excellence in our teaching, research and patient care missions, each vice chancellor, dean, faculty member, director, manager, supervisor and staff member shares in the responsibility to support our equal opportunity objectives and to ensure that the affirmative action policy is fully implemented within our organization.
Washington University is committed to continuing the development of a campus environment that ensures every student, faculty member, staff member and applicant has access to the University without any form of discrimination based upon race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, disability, national origin, Vietnam era veteran status or age. I encourage each member of the Washington University community to join me in advancing an educational and employment environment in which each person is encouraged to contribute and develop to his or her fullest potential.
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