May 2, 2023

Dear Cornell Community,

As we near the end of the semester, we are pleased to provide a few of the many updates on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives across campus:

The Presidential Task Force on Undergraduate Admissions continues its work towards developing recommendations as an essential part of the university’s ongoing obligation to periodically review its admissions processes. Guided by the university’s mission, the task force is approaching this work with a broad definition of diversity and is reviewing all aspects of admissions process and practice.

Among Cornell’s core values are “Free and Open Inquiry and Expression” and “A Community of Belonging” where diversity and inclusion is valued. In support of these values, President Pollack has announced that the university-wide theme for the 2023-24 academic year is “The Indispensable Condition: Freedom of Expression at Cornell." Planning has started for a plethora of events and activities across the university, including the Cornell Tech and Weill Cornell Medicine campuses, to offer opportunities to engage with the topic. If you would like to share an idea for a project or event related to the theme, please send it to freeexpression@cornell.edu along with the name of your school, college or unit.

The Office of General Counsel has announced a series of educational sessions to educate Cornell community members on common legal challenges in higher education; one such session is the “Advancing DEI in the Current Legal Landscape" workshop. The Belonging at Cornell leads from the colleges and units will participate in sessions on May 10 or 11.

Results from the Fall 2022 Academic Work Life Survey and the Employee Survey have been released, and we are currently reviewing data relating to Belonging at Cornell (BaC) campus and unit climate metrics. The BaC leads from each college and unit will be working with leadership to develop action plans that address areas for further improvement.

Several significant events related to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) have been held over the past few weeks:

• “Can You Hear My Voice: The Impact of Untapped Marginalized Groups in the Talent Management Space” where participants, both Cornell employees and members of the local community, were exposed to topics that explored diversity-related hiring challenges.
• Inclusive Excellence Summit: The fourth annual event, sponsored by the Department of Inclusion and Belonging, provided opportunities for learning and developing inclusive behaviors in the workplace.
• Weill Cornell Medicine Diversity Week: The Office of Diversity and Inclusion hosted its fifth Annual Diversity Week with an array of events focused on various DEI topics.

The Belonging at Cornell framework engages the entire Cornell community in the university’s continued efforts to promote diversity, equity and a sense of belonging. In this newsletter, explore some of the great programs and initiatives that support the objectives of the Belonging at Cornell framework.

Sincerely,
The Presidential Advisors on Diversity and Equity (PADE)

Avery August, Deputy Provost
Marla Love, Robert W. and Elizabeth C. Staley Dean of Students
Sonia Rucker, Associate Vice President for Inclusion and Belonging

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