[...] Just as you were admitted to U.Va. because of who you are, all of your new classmates were admitted to UVa because of who they are. Your classmates come from many different backgrounds, from different parts of the nation and various corners of the world. All of them are unique individuals who are as promising as you are, though they may be different from you—different in race, or socioeconomic background, or many of the other measures of diversity.

With this in mind, I have one request: During your first semester at UVa, get to know at least one person who comes from a different background than you do. Befriend a person whose life experience has been completely different from your own. This will help to open your eyes to the great variety of human experience, and this will be part of the maturation and growth you will experience here—an essential element of your college education. Take advantage of everything that UVa offers you, and remember that a diverse community is something important that UVa offers. [...]

Very truly yours,

Teresa A. Sullivan
President

We applaud President Sullivan's request and echo her sentiments about diversity on Grounds. To communicate our own commitment to fostering a diverse community, our staff collaborated to write a diversity statement. This statement serves as a continuing guide for ourselves and our work as we celebrate the diversity we are part of every day, and support an environment that welcomes, respects, and values people from diverse backgrounds and walks of life. Please read our diversity statement below.

A diverse University of Virginia community provides every member respect and a safe place for understanding our differences as well as our likenesses. Fostering the safety, dignity, and respect of women and girls is central to the mission of the Maxine Platzer Lynn Women’s Center. We believe that an environment that welcomes and supports people of different backgrounds, beliefs, ages, identities, ethnicities and worldviews best accomplishes these goals. At the Women’s Center, we actively engage in discussions about social change and bias, challenging our assumptions and exchanging ideas. We invite others to join us in these discussions at our events, in our classes, and by social media.