Subject: EIU Commitment to Diversity

As the mid-year mark approaches, I am writing to confirm EIU’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. It is a vital part of our mission. We are enriched by building a campus that celebrates and draws upon the talents of all our students, faculty, and staff. A very important part of that enrichment is the set of conversations occurring among us. By listening, understanding, and acting, we can, and do, make progress on issues of importance to individuals and groups on our campus. 

As you are all aware, in universities across the country, students are expressing their views on many issues, all of importance. One in particular with high profile is that of non-indictments in the cases in Ferguson, Missouri, and New York City. 

I commend our students, who have marched and demonstrated peacefully, have spoken out on the issues, and have met with faculty, staff, and other students to express their views, concerns, and anger. They have done so with resolve, reason, and clear communication, reflective of, I believe, our faculty’s and staff’s teaching and mentoring aligned with our educational mission to enable our students to refine their abilities to reason and to communicate clearly so as to become responsible citizens and leaders. I know that social media contain inflammatory language. Our students have not responded in kind. Rather, they have been responsible in their actions, as I am confident they will continue to be. 

My personal meetings with students, faculty, and staff regarding matters of diversity have been encouraging. The meetings have focused not only on understanding issues and addressing problems, but also on ongoing efforts that are indicative of progress. Of course other individuals in the administration are working with groups on different aspects of diversity and that work will continue. I encourage continued dialogue. Together, we will make progress.

Sincerely,

Bill Perry

President