Today’s rulings by the United States Supreme Court on cases related to the consideration of race as a factor in university admissions will affect higher education institutions of all kinds across the country. While today’s decision must be carefully absorbed, at the University of Vermont, our commitment to inclusive excellence will not change.

UVM strives to create an environment in which its students, faculty and staff can succeed in their academic lives and consistently demonstrate the shared values articulated in Our Common Ground. Our university is better because of the diversity of backgrounds, perspectives, and ideas our community comprises.

Our admissions processes reflect our commitment to inclusive excellence. Our current processes fairly and holistically consider academic, nonacademic, and relevant contextual factors of each applicant to achieve a diverse student body in the broadest sense of that word. The Court’s rulings will require us to ensure that each of our processes and programs is designed to achieve these means in a manner consistent with the equal protection standards described by the Court. Our admissions team will continue their collaborations with appropriate university offices to understand and apply today’s ruling and ensure UVM’s processes remain compliant.

UVM remains unwavering in its commitment to fostering an academic community in which diverse backgrounds, experiences and points of view are brought together. Inclusivity is, and always will be, integral to our identity and our mission.

Sincerely, Suresh Garimella