Dear Members of the Barnard Community,
We are writing to follow up on President Rosenbury’s email regarding the Supreme Court’s decision to limit the consideration of race in college admissions.
As President Rosenbury pointed out, diversity is integral to Barnard’s mission. An extensive body of research has consistently shown that bringing together people with diverse perspectives and experiences makes us better — better at problem-solving, better at innovation, better at predictions, better at understanding risk, more creative. In other words, it makes us better at the skills that lead to the creation and dissemination of knowledge, the most basic goals of higher education.
The Admissions Office and the Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion have been working closely with the Office of General Counsel in anticipation of this ruling to plan for these changes in the law while continuing to enroll a diverse student body. We will communicate more about that in the months to come.
We also understand that diversity, defined only by numbers, is not, in itself, sufficient. It is so critical that we remove barriers — systemic and cultural, intentional and unseen — especially for our students of color. We must give all voices incentive to speak up and opportunities to be heard and to be taken seriously. We must also continue to engage in the difficult work of supporting our students and creating inclusive, welcoming, and equitable communities. Through Access Barnard, the Office of Community Engagement and Inclusion, the Center for Engaged Pedagogy, Student Experience and Engagement, Title IX and Nondiscrimination, and other campus areas that serve our students and communities, as well as through our distinctive curriculum and research, Barnard continues to push toward a culture and community where diverse voices thrive, and the entire community grows in engaged learning and excellence.
True to our core belief that action grows from learning and discovery, part of the College’s response will also be to help our community understand the history, consequences, and future implications of the Supreme Court decision. This fall, through our curriculum and special programming, we will engage in this important conversation with faculty, staff, students, parents and alums. To help the College shape that discussion, we invite you to submit any questions, concerns or thoughts you have about affirmative action and the Court’s ruling via this form.
In community,
Jennifer Rosales
Vice President for Inclusion and Engaged Learning/Chief Diversity Officer
Jennifer Fondiller
Vice President for Enrollment and Communications