Statement from the President and the Provost
Northwestern University Statement on Diversity
Northwestern University is committed to excellence in teaching, innovative research, and fostering the personal and intellectual growth of its students in a challenging and enriching academic environment. Such an environment is created by a diverse community of students, faculty, and staff engaging in a mutual exchange of ideas, experiences and perspectives.
True diversity is defined not only as differences in individual backgrounds, personal identities, intellectual approaches to discourse, and demographics; it is also the removal of institutional barriers and the accessibility of space that allow individuals to fully engage in the life of the university. As individuals with our own unique identities shaped by our faith, race,sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, abilities, and socioeconomic class — we each have an opportunity to examine the issues before us from a distinctive perspective. A deep commitment to providing these opportunities equally to all members of our community is a core value of Northwestern University, as it is essential to preparing students for life and leadership in an increasingly complex and diverse society.
Northwestern challenges the members of our community to recognize our differences as strengths. By doing so, and by exploring issues with people of different backgrounds and view points, we can develop an environment that ensures equality of access, opportunity, participation and representation while increasing our understanding of the world.