Racial and ethnic harmony

President’s statement on racial and ethnic harmony

Western Michigan University is firmly committed to the principles of racial equality and nondiscrimination. On its campus, students, faculty and staff of many races and ethnic backgrounds live and work closely together day by day in offices, classrooms and residence halls. This racial and ethnic mix brings richness and diversity to the cultural, intellectual and personal dimensions of campus life. The University benefits from this diversity and seeks to enhance it.

All members of the University are expected to contribute to an atmosphere of racial and ethnic harmony on campus, displaying tolerance for cultural differences and courtesy and civility in discourse with students, faculty and staff of diverse backgrounds and origins. In this environment there is no room for any derogatory comments of a racial nature, be they in the form of slurs, posters, songs, jokes, graffiti or the like.

Most members of the campus community need not be reminded of the institutional position in this regard. The very few who need the admonition must realize that the University will take the strongest possible action, including dismissal, against those who through racist acts bring discord to this campus.