Whitman's Message on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Fostering a culture of belonging is essential for any world-class business school and Whitman is no exception. Our community needs to be one where everyone feels valued, safe and supported. In doing so, we will we be able to unlock Whitman’s full potential and achieve our highest aspirations. Our ability to inspire students and to pursue high-impact innovation in our research and educational programs depends on it.

Institutional Culture

The Whitman School of Management has five core values: Inclusion, Integrity, Innovation, Collaboration and Excellence. Acting upon these core values is how we strive to accomplish both immediate- and long-term changes that will leave a lasting impact on our students, faculty, staff, alumni and other stakeholders.

These core values are at the center of our investments to achieve and sustain long-lasting and impactful change. We offer many faculty, staff and student programs that embody our commitment to creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive school. These include professional educational training on areas such as unconscious bias and disability awareness to raise awareness and deepen skills necessary to interact effectively and respectfully across our differences. We also include training as part of all new student orientations, in our classes, and in many of our co-curricular activities. We are continuously refining our trainings to meet the changing needs of our community.

Defining Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

At Syracuse University, we believe in the dignity and worth of all people. This belief commits us to ensure a diverse, equitable, inclusive and accessible campus environment for all. Each person here should be welcomed and appreciated. We value diverse identities and experiences. Cultural perspectives and worldviews matter to us and help strengthen our ability to prepare students for an ever-changing world. Difference should never mean devaluation, nor should it result in discrimination; rather it increases our depth of understanding. We believe that diversity and inclusion enhance who we are as students, faculty, staff and alumni.

Diversity: Encompassing a host of differences which may include, but are not limited to, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, class, learning style, country of origin, disability, political ideology, religion and cultural perspectives.

Equity: We commit to working actively to challenge and respond to bias, harassment and discrimination. We are committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, height, weight or veteran status.

Inclusion: We commit to pursuing deliberate efforts to ensure that our campus is a place where differences are welcomed, different perspectives are respectfully heard and where every individual feels a sense of belonging and inclusion.

"Diversity is where everyone is invited to the party."

"Equity means that everyone gets to contribute to the playlist."

"And inclusion means that everyone has the opportunity to dance."


Sincerely,


Interim Dean Alexander McKelvie