Dear Members of
the University of Vermont Community,
The University of Vermont and other college
campuses in the state and around the country
have seen recently a proliferation of racist
messaging. The origins of these messages on
our campus are unknown. Regardless of
whether the messages come from within or
outside our community, we condemn them to
the fullest extent. We have no tolerance
for racism in any form.
The University of Vermont has a strong,
visible, and ongoing commitment to
diversity, racial equality, and inclusion.
We consistently speak out against racism,
injustice, and bigotry on our campus and
communicate frequently with concerned and
impacted members of our community. And, we
know that the work around these important
issues is far from done.
We appreciate John Mejia's passion for
racial equality both on campus and in the
city of Burlington. We are concerned for
John's health and wellbeing. We are offering
John health assistance and support as John
makes personal choices regarding these
issues.
Our students, faculty and staff always have
been key to helping us make significant
progress over the years on these critical
issues. This work started decades ago and
continues in earnest today. The University
has invested significant resources, time,
and money in critical initiatives designed
to promote diversity and educate and engage
the entire University community. Even though
we face challenging times here and
nationwide, we have enjoyed much progress.
Past efforts have laid a foundation for
those in our community to have their message
heard and valued rather than dismissed. We
continue to focus on understanding issues of
culture and social justice through
supportive professional development
opportunities. We have built recently
assessments of our efforts into the formal
process of professional performance reviews
and through a Framework for Inclusive
Excellence tool. We provide regular and
substantial diversity and inclusion
training, are actively working to hire more
faculty of color, and are partnering with
the Faculty Senate to improve the diversity
curriculum and instruction, among other
initiatives.
Full transparency and open communication
have been key elements of our past and
current processes. As progress has been
made, the University has issued in the last
year 8 comprehensive updates to keep
students and the entire campus community
informed. More detailed information,
including all recent updates, is available
at this website:
https://www.uvm.edu/advancingdiversity.
As a public institution we remain mindful of
the rights of all to express freely their
views on issues of importance. Our
University remains steadfast in our
commitment to diversity, inclusion, and
racial equality, and as we grapple with
these difficult challenges, we will
continue, as we have, to speak out against
racism, bigotry and injustice.
Working together and communicating with each
other on these issues of national
importance, in an atmosphere of mutual
respect and civility, will allow us to
continue making progress as one University.
We welcome all who want to join together to
be a part of what needs to be a campus,
community, and national conversation.
With deep respect,
Tom Sullivan, President
David Rosowsky, Provost and Senior Vice
President
Wanda Heading-Grant, Vice President for
Human Resources, Diversity, and
Multicultural Affairs
Annie Stevens, Vice Provost for Student
Affairs
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
349 Waterman Building
85 South Prospect Street, Burlington, VT 05405
(802) 656-7878 • [log in to unmask]
