President Pinto's statement on Trump Administration announcement

"In the wake of the Trump Administration’s announcement that it will rescind guidance to colleges and universities on the use of race as a factor in admissions decisions, I want to reaffirm the University of Cincinnati’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of university life. I will borrow in part from Peter McPherson, president of the Association of Public Land-grant Universities, who wrote in response to the Administration’s decision:

“Public universities have long served a critical role in providing a quality education to students from different backgrounds. They recognize that all students benefit from being on campus with others who bring various life experiences and perspectives. Doing so helps expand students’ viewpoints and prepares them to enter the global workforce where they will need to work with people from many different backgrounds.

“Four decades of case law make clear that race and ethnicity can be one of many factors that universities can consider during the admissions process. Public universities will continue to operate in accordance with the Constitution, state law, and past court rulings to ensure they appropriately foster a diverse campus to the benefit of all.”

Community is built and thrives on the collective contributions of those with varying skills, unique perspectives, and diverse backgrounds. This is and will always be part of our value system at the University of Cincinnati. And inclusive excellence will be a powerful force for our success. To achieve our best, we must draw on the best in all members of our community. To do anything less diminishes our possibilities.