| TO: | The Columbia Community | |
| FROM: | Lee C. Bollinger | |
| RE: | 2009 Affirmative Action Program for Columbia University |
Dear fellow member of the Columbia community:
Columbia’s Affirmative Action Program is an essential part of our educational mission. It is my firm belief that diversity and excellence are inextricably bound, especially in higher education. To prepare students for the challenges posed by globalization, we must continue to provide a learning environment where students can engage and expand the multiplicity of perspectives that define life in a diverse nation and world.
The Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action is charged with continually identifying efforts that ensure equity and diversity in hiring and a working environment free from discrimination and harassment. The Affirmative Action Program for Columbia University is published annually by The Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action. Written in accordance with the regulations of the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, the 2009 program charts Columbia University’s progress as an employer over the past year and sets new goals for the year ahead.
As detailed in the report, this past year we used a variety of approaches to continue the momentum of our faculty recruitment initiative. Innovative strategies were implemented to identify a more diverse pool of promising faculty as well as staff. These efforts have been particularly successful in attracting, developing, and highlighting a much broader population of talent from underrepresented groups. All of the initiatives supplement our ongoing efforts to build an inclusive working and learning environment that offers a wide array of intellectual perspectives, promotes a deeper appreciation of cultural differences on a global scale, and addresses the history of under-representation among certain groups in higher education in this country.
I fully endorse the programs and goals set forth in The Affirmative Action Program for Columbia University. These endeavors are essential to our institution and reaffirm the University’s commitment to affirmative action and equal opportunity.
Sincerely,
Lee C. Bollinger
President
