FDU DEI Advisory Council Diversity statement
Fairleigh Dickinson University recently formed a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Council that is advising the administration on ways to address bias at FDU. Following the recent violent events against Asian Americans, the council provided the below statement that strongly articulates FDU’s values.
March 23, 2021
The recent murder of six Asian American women in Atlanta, and violent events targeting the Asian American community over the last year, are anathema to our values as a global community in which people of all races, genders, religions, and ethnicities must be free to live in peace and safety, as well as to express their views on issues impacting them as a group. Fairleigh Dickinson University deplores all acts of violence rooted in prejudice and hate.
We recognize this discrimination and violence causes tremendous fear, isolation, and anxiety to members of the FDU community. Bias, hatred, and violence negatively impacts students, faculty, staff, alumni, and their families around the world. We stand with our Asian American community during this challenging time and embrace them as a vital part of the FDU family.
FDU, as a center of learning and knowledge, values diversity, equity, and inclusion. We recognize that systemic racism and inequality have created an environment of exclusion and all too frequently violence against communities of color. Our commitment is to nurture an inclusive and safe environment that values a vigorous exchange of ideas leading to a clearer understanding of our interconnected and diverse world. Such an environment is strengthened by the many different backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences that students, faculty, staff, and administrators bring to our learning community.
The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Council is organizing a listening forum to hear the perspectives and concerns of the FDU community. However, if you ever witness or experience a bias incident within our community, we strongly encourage you to report an incident on the Public Safety website or contact them anonymously at (201) 692-2226.