Dear University Community & Friends:

Welcome to the University of Connecticut diversity website. The Office of the Vice Provost for Multicultural and International Affairs (OMIA) developed this site in 2003 to fulfill a recommendation of the Board of Trustees-accepted Diversity Action Plan 2002. The website links directly from the University of Connecticut main website and provides an entry point to key information, offices, units, and people concerning diversity issues on campus.

Diversity is a value, and for the University of Connecticut, valuing and achieving diversity among our population of students, faculty and staff is a goal. In bringing this goal to life, it means achieving the full participation of people who differ by age, color, ethnicity, gender, national origin, race, religion, and sexual orientation, disability status, and socio-economic background. It encompasses not only individuals and groups but also thoughts and attitudes. It means having general education distribution requirements that focus on diversity issues and having cultural centers and initiatives that are open to all students and allow for intentional engagement with people from different cultural backgrounds.

We believe that diversity and excellence are closely linked objectives, and are consistent with the excellence that we aspire to as Connecticut's flagship institution of higher learning. Diversity adds to the learning experience, expands classroom examples, and improves communication, understanding, and sharing of different life experiences. Diversity brings to light the fact that there are differences among people of different races and among people of the same race. The presence of diversity fosters intellectual and social growth and forces students to change their assumptions and to learn from one another.

Many students, faculty, and alumni want to know the position of the University of Connecticut and I reaffirm unequivocally that this institution is committed to promoting and supporting the diversity of our community. As the multitude of projects and activities illustrated by this website suggest, we are moving in the right direction and remain focused on achieving true community equity and pluralism on campus. I encourage you to utilize this website regularly to research diversity issues, learn about new programs and initiatives, and to connect with the various students, faculty, and staff that are mentioned in its pages.

Sincerely,

Phillip E. Austin, President