ITHACA, N.Y. -- Cornell University President Hunter Rawlings and Provost Biddy Martin today (Feb. 6, 2002) issued a statement to all students, faculty and staff on the university';s commitment to racial and ethnic diversity.

Promoting respect for racial and ethnic diversity is one of the university's highest priorities. As an educational institution, we have a unique opportunity to foster an appreciation of the historical, social and cultural differences that shape this country. We have a responsibility to educate ourselves, not only about our own society, but about the histories and cultures of other societies as well. We encourage our students to take advantage of courses and extra-curricular activities that enhance their knowledge of cultural traditions other than their own or those about which they already have in-depth knowledge. We ask faculty, staff and students to seek a broad and deep education and to overcome stereotypes about groups of people or traditions with which they are unfamiliar. Our common goal should be an environment in which no student feels vulnerable to attack, harassment or exclusion because of his or her race or ethnicity. Of course, our commitment extends to the appreciation of differences in gender, sexual orientation, religion and other protected categories. We will continue to make every possible effort to make our commitments a reality.

Our ethnic studies programs are critical to the educational and research goals we have set for this university. We recognize the issues facing some of those programs and the departments in which many of their faculty are jointly appointed. The Africana Studies and Research Center is in serious need of renovation and some expansion. Renovation plans are under active discussion with the new director of the center, Professor Don Ohadike, and we are looking for the most effective design. Until the design work is complete, we will not know precisely how much funding is necessary to address the center's priorities. Africana Studies Professor Salah Hassan is serving as chair of the Department of History of Art and Professor Bob Harris as vice provost. Their contributions to the university are essential; their involvement outside of Africana may well require that the center develop a plan for a faculty search.

The Latino Studies Program has excellent leadership in Professors Maria Cristina Garcia and Mary Pat Brady; we are delighted with the contributions of an outstanding new faculty member in Michael Jones-Correa, associate professor of government. The program currently is searching for a joint appointee in Latino Studies and the School of Industrial and Labor Relations. The American Indian Program will lose its current director when Professor Dan Usner leaves at the end of this academic year. Dean Susan Henry is actively working with us on plans for the program, including not only a new director but an additional faculty search in the near future. Shelley Wong, director of the Asian-American Studies Program, is currently involved with the Department of History in a search for a new faculty member. We will continue to work with the deans of the colleges to ensure the long-term health of these programs.

We ask the entire Cornell community to join us in reaffirming our commitment to diversity and inclusiveness.

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