Advancing Our Commitment to Being Welcoming to All

Thursday, March 6, 2025
Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:

In early February you received a message from University leaders sharing our perspective on evolving executive orders, policies and guidance from the new federal administration. In that message we affirmed our commitment to being a university that is welcoming to all. That has not changed.

Since then, the federal government issued further guidance relating to diversity, equity and inclusion programs and policies—first in the form of a “Dear Colleague” letter from the Department of Education’s (DOE) Office of Civil Rights on Feb. 14, followed by a frequently asked questions document on Feb. 28 that provided some clarity to universities looking for additional direction. Broadly speaking, the federal administration’s position is that consideration of race in any aspect of student, academic or campus life is discriminatory and, thus, a violation of Title VI (also known as the Civil Rights Act of 1964). While this broad interpretation is being challenged in the courts, the University does not believe any of our programs discriminate against any group. Nonetheless, we are reviewing all relevant programs, resources and services to ensure compliance with the law.

The University reaffirms our commitment to being welcoming to all and upholding the Orange values that have guided our mission since our founding. As we continue to build on this proud history in the current regulatory environment, we will examine carefully and thoughtfully how we articulate and live our ideals.

Our vice president for diversity and inclusion, Mary Grace Almandrez, has been leading this important work and will help the University define our path forward, together with her team. This will include engagement with key constituencies from across our campus, including students, faculty and staff and academic leaders whose work is centered on creating a welcoming environment.  This work will include an assessment of the structure of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, services offered, language we use that defines the University’s ideals, and other relevant considerations. Vice President Almandrez and her team will deliver guidance to the Chancellor by the end of the semester, outlining long-term recommendations.

Alongside this work, the University will make some immediate changes to ensure our alignment with federal guidance. For example, the University is moving oversight of all scholarship programs from disparate units across campus to the Office of Academic Affairs. Other changes may be considered in the short-term.

While this work continues, each of us has a role to play in creating an environment where all members of our community feel and are welcome. We will look to our nearly 155 years of striving to be a university welcoming to all as guidance. At our best, we have demonstrated this commitment time and again.

While regulations and law will evolve, Syracuse University’s values, and our shared commitment to them, will always endure.

Sincerely,

Chancellor Kent Syverud
Interim Vice Chancellor and Provost Lois Agnew
Vice Chancellor J. Michael Haynie
Chief Student Experience Officer Allen Groves
Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion Mary Grace Almandrez