[Senate] Diversity Statements at the University of California

[Cherysa P Cortez]

Sent on behalf of Academic Senate Chair Ken Barish

Dear Colleagues,

I forward the below and attached letter for your awareness of the decision made by the UC Board of Regents regarding a change in the University's practices for new recruitments.

The Academic Senate was not consulted. This and other matters will be discussed in the upcoming systemwide Academic Council meeting.

Ken Barish
Academic Senate Chair


This letter is sent on behalf of UC System Provost and Executive Vice President Katherine S. Newman. For your convenience, the text of the letter is below.  The signed letter is attached as a pdf.

March 19, 2025

PROVOSTS/EXECUTIVE VICE CHANCELLORS
ACADEMIC COUNCIL CHAIR CHEUNG

Re:       Diversity Statements at the University of California

Dear Colleagues:

I write at the request of President Drake to let you know about a decision by the UC Board of Regents to change the University's practices with respect to recruitments. After thoughtful review, the Board has directed President Drake to take action to ensure that diversity statements are no longer required for new recruitments.

The Regents determined this announcement was necessary because some programs, departments, and recruitments have required diversity statements as part of hiring processes despite the fact that the University of California has never maintained such a systemwide policy. The requirement to submit a diversity statement may lead applicants to   focus on an aspect of their candidacy that is outside their expertise or prior experience. The Regents stated that our values and commitment to our mission have not changed. We can continue to effectively serve our communities from a variety of life experiences, backgrounds, and points of view without requiring diversity statements.

As you know, there is a systemwide policy, Academic Personnel Manual (APM) 210-1.d, that enables faculty members who engage in diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in their teaching, research, and service to be recognized for these contributions during the academic review process. This policy was developed in close consultation with the UC Academic Senate and will remain in place.

APM - 210 currently provides flexibility to faculty in their review actions to submit, in any form they wish, inclusive academic achievements in teaching, research, and service, and they will receive due recognition for those contributions. APM - 210 does not require the submission of standalone diversity statements. Accordingly, faculty members may choose to submit descriptions of relevant academic achievements such as instituting inclusive research practices; teaching approaches that support the success of all students through curriculum design, pedagogy, assessment, and classroom environment; mentoring that supports the advancement and professional development of all students, postdoctoral scholars, and colleagues; and campus or professional service activities that further the University's public mission. The policy was intended to demonstrate the University's commitment to creating a community where people of all backgrounds and points of view can engage, learn, and thrive, and this policy will continue to ensure that outcome.

To be clear, stand-alone diversity statements will no longer be permitted in recruitments. However, consistent with federal and state law, the University should, and will, continue to provide due recognition to prospective or current employees who wish to share how they have contributed to inclusive excellence.  The Regents reinforced the importance of the University's policies and practices in place designed to ensure that access to the University is both possible and welcome for talented students, staff, and faculty from all groups.

Please share this message with faculty across the system and with Academic Senate committees. Thank you for your attention to this matter and for all you do for the UC community.

Sincerely,

Katherine S. Newman

UC System Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

UC Berkeley Chancellor's Distinguished Professor of Sociology & Public Policy


Cc:       President Drake
Chancellors
Vice President and Chief of Staff Kao
Vice President/Vice Provost Gullatt
Interim Vice Provost Haynes
Deputy Provost Lee
Academic Council Vice Chair Palazoglu
Vice Provosts/Vice Chancellors for Academic Affairs/Personnel
Assistant Vice Provosts/Assistant Vice Chancellors for Academic Personnel
Executive Director Lin


Katherine S. Newman

UC System Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

UC Berkeley Chancellor's Distinguished Professor of Sociology and Public Policy


Office address:
Katherine Newman
C/o Office of the President
University of California
1111 Franklin Street, 12th Floor
Oakland, California 94706

Email: Katherine.Newman at ucop.edu<mailto:Katherine.Newman at ucop.edu>

Chief of Staff
Stephanie Beechem
Stephanie.Beechem at ucop.edu<mailto:Stephanie.Beechem at ucop.edu>

Executive Assistant (for calendar assistance)
Marvin Morris
Marvin.Morris at ucop.edu<mailto:Marvin.Morris at ucop.edu>




__________________________
Cherysa Cortez
Executive Director, Academic Senate
University Office Building 221
cherysac at ucr.edu<mailto:cherysac at ucr.edu>
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA RIVERSIDE
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