Dear UVM Community,

Earlier this year, we shared with you the themes and recommendations that emerged from last fall’s listening sessions. Those recommendations incorporated both existing and new initiatives, including the creation of a University Diversity Council (UDC). We are pleased to let you know that there has been significant progress on the establishment of this body.

As proposed by Vice President Heading-Grant, the University Diversity Council will have broad and diverse representation from academic and administrative units, and will serve in an advisory capacity to the new Vice Provost for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. The council’s focus will include efforts to intentionally and actively engage each college and division to support meaningful advancements related to diversity, inclusion, equity, cultural competency, and civility.

In addition, the council will play an integral role in supporting senior leadership on issues including recruitment and retention, particularly of students, faculty, and staff from underrepresented groups. It will advise on the implementation of the undergraduate general education requirement for diversity, and will participate in the analysis of metrics to monitor progress of the university’s climate and culture. The council also will work to identify and disseminate best practices around the operationalization of programs and initiatives connected to units’ Inclusive Excellence Action Plans.

The University Diversity Council is a natural evolution of the important work done by the President’s Commission for Inclusive Excellence (PCIE) which, upon the recommendation of Vice President Heading-Grant, will conclude operations this month. It is with deep gratitude that we recognize the passionate and successful advocacy of PCIE and all of the previous Presidential Communications and other groups that led to the creation of the UDC.

The UDC will launch later this month and we look forward to soon sharing more information about its membership, and the active role it will take in stewarding these critically important efforts while ensuring greater accountability across our community. In the meantime, we once again acknowledge the impactful efforts of all of the faculty, staff, and students who have served the Presidential Commissions, particularly those Commissioners who are currently serving. Their steadfast commitment to issues of justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion is exemplary, and we are a better University because of their service. Thank you.