Press Release

CONTACT: Debra Humphreys
(202) 387-3760(ext. 422)
e-mail: humphreys@aacu.org

No Retreat on Affirmative Action in Higher Education

Diversity and Inclusion Good for Higher Education, the Quality of Student Learning, and the Nation's Democracy, Argues New Statement Issued by National Higher Education Association

Washington, DC—November 4, 2002—In a newly revised statement unanimously approved at a recent board of director's meeting, the Association of American Colleges and Universities reaffirmed its commitment to "Affirmative Action, Educational Excellence, and the Civic Mission of Higher Education." The statement asserts that, "higher education can do its best work when it embraces the diversity of ideas and experiences that characterize the social, cultural, and intellectual worlds."

"In light of pending court decisions, AAC&U's board of directors believed it was important to reaffirm the Association's commitment to the continued use of affirmative action policies and other creative strategies to create the diversity of students, faculty, administrators, and staff so necessary to educational excellence in today's world," said AAC&U board chair, Troy Duster.

Under the leadership of Caryn McTighe Musil, vice president for Diversity, Equity and Global Initiatives, AAC&U continues through its many initiatives and publications a strong commitment to incorporating diversity as a central component of its educational mission. "AAC&U's board believed that issuing this strong statement was important given not only the challenging legal environment, but also current debates about democracy, freedom, and our role in a turbulent global community," said Musil. "AAC&U's new strategic plan sets as a key objective working with our member campuses as they develop curricula and learning environments that make positive educational use of diversity and help students envision solutions to global and domestic challenges." Through this revised statement, "AAC&U also recommits itself to being a powerful public voice holding our country to its stated principles of equal opportunity and justice for all."

Upon approval of the statement by the board, AAC&U President Carol Geary Schneider remarked, "In issuing this reaffirmation of commitment, we hope to draw attention not only to enduring American values of opportunity, equality, and justice, but also to persuasive new research that suggests that engaging diversity on campus and in the curriculum promotes intellectual development, enhances critical thinking, reduces prejudice, and improves intergroup relations." Schneider added that, "AAC&U's recent national report from its Greater Expectations initiative presents a New Vision for Learning as a Nation Goes to College. A key element of that vision draws on this new research and calls on higher education to ensure that all students' liberal education include engagement with diversity in all its many manifestations."

AAC&U's continuing work on diversity includes multiple projects, meetings, and institutes including the biennial Diversity and Learning meeting (held in St. Louis, MO in October, 2002), and its newest curriculum and faculty development initiative, Liberal Education and Global Citizenship.

To see the newly revised statement on "Affirmative Action, Educational Excellence, and the Civic Mission of Higher Education," see www.aacu.org/about/affirmativeaction.cfm. For information about AAC&U's Office of Diversity, Equity, and Global Initiatives, see www.aacu.org/issues/diversity/.

AAC&U is the leading national association devoted to advancing and strengthening liberal learning for all students, regardless of academic specialization or intended career. Since its founding in 1915, AAC&U's membership has grown to more than 1000 accredited public and private colleges and universities of every type and size.

AAC&U functions as a catalyst and facilitator, forging links among presidents, administrators, and faculty members who are engaged in institutional and curricular planning. Its mission is to reinforce the collective commitment to liberal education at both the national and local levels and to help individual institutions keep the quality of student learning at the core of their work as they evolve to meet new economic and social challenges.

For information about AAC&U, see www.aacu.org.