Dear UVM community,

We want to make you aware of a joint statement shared earlier this evening with the students, faculty, and staff of the College of Education and Social Services. This statement also will be issued to media outlets. We view this as an opportunity to affirm the core values that support the strength of our university, and we thank you for your ongoing support and commitment to Our Common Ground.

Sincerely,
Patricia A. Prelock, Provost and Senior Vice President
Scott Thomas, Dean, College of Education and Social Services

Our joint statement is in response to a recent video posted by a professor in the College of Education and Social Services. We share our message in solidarity with our colleagues, students, and broader community as we seek greater diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) on our campus and in our world.

First and foremost, recent views expressed by this individual do not reflect the values of the University of Vermont or our community. The leadership at the University is united in our unwavering commitment to the foundational values of racial and social justice. Additionally, the core faculty in the program and several students have taken a stand against the positions espoused in the video and other postings.

We value freedom of expression and the right of people to adhere to their own worldview, and we cannot force any one individual to adopt our institutional values, but we are entitled to promote those values. The most effective way to guard against attempts to derail our DEI efforts is to unite as one in pursuit of our shared goals.

We will continue to lean into our DEI efforts, and in so doing, create further opportunities to strengthen our community. This event has given us further clarity and resolve about the importance of our commitment to our Common Ground values and DEI work.

Immediately, we are taking steps that will allow any student who wishes to seek alternative courses taught by other faculty members to complete their program requirements. We will continue to monitor the situation and work to ensure students feel safe and supported.

We know there is anger, pain, and sadness when the lived experiences of individuals committed to DEI are denied or diminished. We hear you, and we value the voice you are giving to the concerns many of us share about these messages.

In solidarity,

Patricia A. Prelock, Provost and Senior Vice President
Scott Thomas, Dean, College of Education and Social Services