Dear UP Students, Faculty, and Staff:
Like many of you, I was distressed to hear about the recent incident at the men’s basketball game. Throughout spring semester last year, we as a community engaged in ongoing conversations that arrived at two important truths: first, that every member of our community should feel safe, understood, and respected on campus. Second, that the University of Portland must be committed to ensuring that we are an open and inclusive community where all feel welcome. This incident reminds us once again that we as a community still have work to do.
I want to assure you that, though the Ad Hoc Presidential Advisory Committee on Inclusion has concluded its tasks, we as a community must pick up where they left off. Their outstanding report, “Inclusion at the University of Portland: In Service of a Diverse, Global Church in a Pluralistic World,” is available on PilotsUP and provides us with various recommendations of what our next steps might be. This semester, we are determining the charge of the new Presidential Advisory Committee on Inclusion and inviting various members of our campus community to commit their time and talents to this important endeavor.
Our work in this area will never be complete, but we must remain committed to making sure that the University of Portland is a welcoming and respectful community for all who call the bluff home.
Sincerely,Fr. E. William Beauchamp, C.S.C.
President
