Colleagues,
As you likely know, the Supreme Court recently issued its decision in Students for Fair Admission v. President and Fellows of Harvard College and Students for Fair Admission v. University of North Carolina. In response to the ruling, the University issued this statement. As noted in our statement, the University will review the Court’s decision to make sure our policies and practices continue to comply with federal and state law. At the same time, the University reiterated its commitment to promoting access, equity, and inclusion and creating a welcoming environment for students of all backgrounds.
Over the past several months, the Office of the Provost has convened a working group of University leaders and stakeholders involved in admissions, student affairs, diversity initiatives, and other key areas to inventory the University’s current practices and prepare for any potential changes in the legal landscape. That group, in consultation with the Office of University Counsel, will analyze the Court’s opinion and its impact on the University’s policies and practices.
We remain committed to pursuing strategies and initiatives, within the law, that help create a diverse and inclusive environment for our students. We will conduct University business in a manner consistent with the Supreme Court's decision and continue to cultivate an inclusive and welcoming learning environment for all students. We are charged by our university mission to enhance the lives of citizens in Illinois, in all its corners from the corridors of the Chicago Loop to the cornfields of Southern Illinois.
- Illinois has a proud history of enrolling academically talented students from diverse backgrounds, and we will continue to build upon this tradition by being present in communities that have been historically marginalized.
- It is important to remember that no one criterion determines an admission decision at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
- We will continue to expand access and affordability for students throughout the state of Illinois and beyond.
If your unit needs legal advice regarding policies and practices that may be impacted by the decision, please coordinate with appropriate University administrators to contact the Office of University Counsel, as you would with other legal questions. Likewise, if you receive media queries on this topic, please forward them to Associate Chancellor Robin Kaler rkaler@illinois.edu, 217/333-5010 (o) or 217/840-6527 (c).
Sincerely,
Robert J. Jones
Chancellor
William T. Bernhard
Interim Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Provost
