A Framework to Foster Diversity at Penn State: 1998–2003

FROM THE PRESIDENT

As part of its charge to design a strategic planning framework for 1998–2003, the University Planning Council (UPC) commissioned the Vice Provost for Educational Equity to develop a University-wide diversity plan. I am pleased to share with you the plan entitled, A Framework to Foster Diversity at Penn State, 1998–2003.

The Framework suggests seven challenges we must meet in fulfilling our obligation to prepare students for life and work in a civil democracy in the twenty-first century. Further, it prescribes concrete action plans to help academic and administrative units meet these challenges.

At the heart of the Framework you will find three concepts that I have promoted during my Presidency:

• we must do more to expose students to a variety of cultures and international perspectives in order to prepare them adequately for the future;
• we must continue to foster a humane University community in which everyone feels welcome, by eliminating disrespect and harassment and by working toward the goal of civility and acceptance of everyone; and
• we must consider among our most important educational goals the development of character, conscience, citizenship, respect for others, and social responsibility.

I fully agree with the UPC that the values and goals found in the Framework should rest at the core of all future planning for the institution. Therefore, I commend the Framework to you and ask that you work closely with UPC and the Office of the Vice Provost for Educational Equity to implement the action plans in order that we, as a University community, might come to embody and embrace the multicultural future that lies ahead for all of us.

Graham Spanier, President