IMPORTANT: Required diversity education

Dear Baylor Students, Faculty and Staff,

Earlier this year, Baylor made an institutional commitment to require diversity education for all current students, faculty and staff. We had already required such education for incoming students as well as for new faculty and staff — in addition to faculty search committees and student leadership. However, as the events of the summer unfolded, and the need for greater racial and cultural understanding emerged, we determined that beginning this fall semester all current students, faculty and staff would also be required to annually participate in this initiative.

Today I am pleased to announce that this diversity education — developed exclusively by the University in accordance with our Christian mission and reflecting the Baylor experience — is now available to be completed via video accessible through this email. Sometime before the end of the fall semester, please devote the time necessary to attentively complete viewing the video, which is 40 minutes in length. This activity is an important component of the other measures and programs being undertaken at Baylor to foster an environment of possibility on our campus.

As we advance toward our aspirations as a preeminent Christian research university – grounded in our distinct mission, values and Baptist heritage – Baylor continues to place great emphasis on being a compassionate community in which all individuals are accepted and valued. Equipping students for worldwide leadership and service requires each one of us to cultivate greater awareness of others. We should always keep in mind, as we serve together, Jesus’ response when asked to identify the greatest commandment in the law: “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Matthew 22:37-39).

Thank you for your love of Baylor University and for the important role you play in helping Baylor glorify God and serve the surrounding world.

Sincerely,

Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D.
President