On behalf of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion specialists and associate deans of UCLA, we write to express our strong support of the proposed College of Letters and Science undergraduate diversity course requirement, which amends Divisional Regulation A-458.
As we move forward in the global, rich and complex world of the 21st century, UCLA’s community of graduates faces new challenges. These challenges cannot be met by technology alone. While the international arena in which we now operate poses great challenges, it also opens up channels for greater understanding, and with this, great opportunities for our future graduates. These future women and men, workers and leaders, will be required to interact in, and asked to contribute to, a new and emerging society in ways yet to be imagined. Recent research confirms that diversity enhances creativity and inclusivity in finding solutions to existing technical, as well as social, problems.
An overwhelming majority of UCLA’s undergraduate students have expressed their approval of a diversity course requirement. The faculty must acknowledge this need for a greater understanding of the multiple determinants of the diverse human experience, on the one hand, and our charge to prepare our students to face a more inclusive and equitable society, on the other. The exposure to diversity promises to facilitate open dialogue among communities. Such exchanges foster mutual understanding and enhance knowledge through stronger collaboration.
A diversity requirement for undergraduates of UCLA’s College of Letters and Science makes even more sense given the cultural and international dimensions of our student body and the city of Los Angeles as a whole. UCLA’s Principles of Community state that we are committed to diversity and that “we believe that diversity is critical to maintaining excellence in all of our endeavors.” It is time for the faculty to affirm and stand by this commitment.
After extensive review and deliberation, the diversity course requirement at the college level has received the approval and the support of students, faculty, and the administration. In 2014, UCLA’s College of Letters and Science, Undergraduate Students Association Council, and the Legislative Assembly all voted in favor of the requirement. It was scheduled for implementation in Fall 2015 for incoming freshmen and in Fall 2017 for transfer students. We are concerned that by submitting the undergraduate diversity requirement to an Academic Senate-wide vote, the autonomy of the College of Letters and Science to determine its own curriculum has been undermined.
This unprecedented vote on the diversity requirement is now scheduled to take place from March 30 to April 10, 2015.
We urge our fellow members to vote in favor of the undergraduate diversity requirement.
This course requirement is foundational to the core principles of UCLA and the UC system more broadly, and it is key to the successful integration of our students into an increasingly complex and interconnected global society.
Charles J. Alexander is the associate vice provost for student diversity for the UCLA’s Division of Undergraduate Education. Eric Avila is the associate dean for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for the UCLA Division of Social Sciences. Albert J. Courey is the Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the UCLA Division of Physical Sciences. Kimberley Freeman is the assistant dean of diversity initiatives and community relations at the UCLA Anderson School of Management. Lynn K. Gordon is the senior associate dean of diversity affairs for David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Carlos V. Grijalva is the associate dean for the UCLA Graduate Division. Edmond R. Hewlett is the associate dean of outreach and diversity at the UCLA School of Dentistry. Marjorie Kagawa Singer is a public health and Asian American studies professor at UCLA. Diana King is a librarian for the UCLA Arts Library. Deborah Koniak-Griffin is the associate dean for diversity and equity at the UCLA School of Nursing. Elizabeth Ligon Bjork is a professor and senior vice chair for the UCLA Psychology Department. Ghislaine Lydon is the Equity Advisor for the UCLA International Institute. Kathleen A. McHugh is the associate dean of diversity and equity at the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television. Paul Ong is an Asian American studies professor. Ben J. Refuerzo is the associate dean for diversity, equity and inclusion at the UCLA School of the Arts and Architecture. Daniel Solorzano is the associate dean for equity and diversity for the UCLA Graduate School of Education and Information Studies. Clyde Spillenger is a UCLA law professor. Gary Thompson is the head of software development and project management for the UCLA Library. Maite Zubiaurre is the associate dean for diversity and inclusion for the UCLA Humanities Division.