Leadership affirms university values, principles, and commitment to follow evolving laws
During the Academic, Research, and Student Affairs Committee held on March 24, a resolution on the Presidential Executive Order on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion was introduced, reviewed, and amended by members of the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors before being approved by the full board the following day.
At the committee meeting, Executive Vice President and Provost Cyril Clarke prefaced the vote with a presentation on the university’s guiding principles that shape and inform its policies and practices.
Clarke affirmed Virginia Tech’s commitment to rights guaranteed by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, including freedom of speech and freedom of peaceful assembly consistent with university policy regarding reasonable time, place, and matter.
Virgina Tech’s strong support for academic freedom and free speech was articulated in a 2023 university statement developed by a Presidential Task Force on Freedom of Expression and Inquiry. Academic freedom, free expression, and open inquiry are core principles of higher education, enabling scholars to conduct research, teach, speak, and publish within an area of expertise without interference or penalty.
Clarke noted that the First Amendment protects the expression of ideas and opinions that some may find controversial, disagreeable, and offensive, and the right of people to gather to express, promote, pursue, and defend their opinions. He also reaffirmed the university’s commitment to the Virginia Tech Principles of Community.
In accordance with federal laws, the university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, or national origin, and will not require training, education, coursework, or other pedagogy that asserts that a particular race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, or national origin, or individuals who identify as such are inherently or systemically superior or inferior, oppressive or oppressed, or privileged or unprivileged.
“Making sure all students, employees, and community members have access to the same resources and opportunities regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin and sex sounds simple, but it can be complex, and it is an essential part of our land-grant mission,” said Virginia Tech President Tim Sands.
In his remarks to the full meeting of the Board of Visitors on Tuesday, Sands noted the board’s affirmation of Virginia Tech’s deeply held commitment to freedom of speech, academic freedom, and the university’s Principles of Community.
“I am heartened by the board’s commitment as expressed in the first two paragraphs of the resolution, that our university highly values diversity, including diversity of thought and experience, and fosters an inclusive environment, encouraging a culture of opportunity for all, and is committed improving the quality of life and the human condition,” Sands said. “Without that richness of experience, we cannot fulfill our mission of preparing students for a successful and fulfilling life and ensuring that our research is deeply informed by the people we serve.”