MADISON — The University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents on Friday, March 9, reaffirmed its longstanding commitment to diversity and to the goals of achieving equality of opportunity and access to education in its admissions policies.
The boards restatement of its commitment to diversity followed an update on the progress of Plan 2008, the UW Systems 10-year plan to expand the number of students, faculty and staff of color at all of its campuses. The board specifically approved two resolutions reaffirming its overall commitment to diversity and the UW Systems freshman admissions policies.
The first resolution, introduced by Regent Joseph M. Alexander of Madison, states the board hereby renews its commitment to promoting diversity, opportunity, and access for all of its students, faculty and staff. Alexanders resolution also directs UW System President Katharine C. Lyall and the chancellors and staff of each UW System institution to seek new and innovative measures that will bring said goals of the Board of Regents and of Plan 2008 to fruition.
The second resolution, introduced by Regent President Jay L. Smith of Middleton, states that the board reaffirms its commitment to the goals of achieving equality of opportunity and access to education in its freshman admissions and traditional and nontraditional freshman admissions policies.
These admission policies state that a number of factors, including a persons racial and ethnic background, are to be considered in the admissions process. The resolution also directs the UW System institutions to continue all possible efforts to achieve the goals of Plan 2008.