CIIS President and Provost Statement on the Supreme Court's Decision to Strike Down Affirmative Action

Dear Community,

We are deeply disheartened by the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to bar the use of affirmative action in higher education. Affirmative action has long been an important tool in addressing historical inequities and promoting equal opportunities for underrepresented groups.

CIIS remains steadfast in its commitment to cultivating and preserving a culture of diversity and inclusion as part of our Seven Commitments. We will continue to nurture a deep appreciation of the spectrum of human experience and give people from all backgrounds and beliefs the opportunity to transform, bringing the world closer together. We remain firmly committed to the principle that racial diversity is essential to an intellectually, culturally, and spiritually dynamic campus community. Today, as University leaders, we recommit ourselves to these values.

CIIS must always be a place of possibility, a haven for hope, and a home to those who previously might not have been welcome. The beating heart of this incredible University is its people. We will continue to make diversity not only a top priority, but also a fundamental commitment. Only by attracting, supporting, and retaining a diverse student community can we fulfill our promise of transformative integral education.

While there is more work to do to live up to our Commitment of a broadly diverse educational community, the court’s ruling makes this work all that much more important.

Brock Blomberg, President
Kathy Littles, Provost