This message was sent to students, faculty, staff, alumni, and parents on June 29, 2023.
Dear Lafayette community,
It will take time to completely process the Supreme Court’s decision on affirmative action today, but I would like to share a few thoughts with you.
After working 14 years in the college access space, I can say the hope for the future of our country and democracy is that talent is ubiquitous. It is everywhere. As an institution of education we must continue, with creativity, innovation, and fortitude, to attract and retain talent from every background and experience. Based upon our early review of the decision, we do not anticipate difficulty in adapting our approach to admissions evaluations as a result of the court’s decision because Lafayette has used a holistic approach for many years. At the same time, in the fullness of our commitment to identifying and attracting the most outstanding individuals to the College, we will work even harder to build partnerships with non-profits, pursue an aggressive high school recruitment program, and activate our alumni networks to help us build diversity in our applicant pool. And it is important to note that our commitment to diverse talent not only encompasses our student body, but also extends to the recruitment and success of faculty and staff.
Today’s news strengthens our resolve that our college be an engine of opportunity and that our classrooms, living and learning spaces, and board room must reflect the diversity of our country. I look forward to continuing this journey with all of you, whether that be in our day-to-day activities, our strategic planning exercise, or our on-going pursuit to be a place of inclusive excellence.
Yours,
President Nicole Hurd