Letter to the Editor:

The University of Toledo is working hard for diversity, not only because its student body, faculty and staff need to reflect the faces of the metropolitan community, but because diversity is a prerequisite for academic excellence and for responsible citizenship in our multicultural democracy.

We recently celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month and unveiled a commissioned portrait of Toledo Congressman James Ashley, who introduced the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution (abolishing slavery), and we are implementing an ambitious plan to assess and enhance the diversity of the University.

We wish, therefore, to make clear that the University deplores recent vandalism of posters and announcements about diversity events, including posters celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month. We were heartened by the response of President Lloyd Jacobs, who offered personally to help hang new posters.

We also wish to assure all members of our diverse metropolitan community that University policy prohibits the defacing or destruction of such posters.

Finally, as chairs of the President’s Commission on Diversity, we assert the University’s firm commitment to providing programming, education, employment, and a safe and welcoming environment to all.

Sincerely yours,

Samuel Hancock, Ed. D., Assistant to the President for Institutional Diversity, The University of Toledo

Johnnie Early, Ph.D., Dean, College of Pharmacy, The University of Toledo

Co-chairs, University of Toledo President’s Commission on Diversity

October 23, 2006