President Stritikus discusses the current federal policy environment and the potential effects of executive orders issued since Jan. 20.
Dear Campus Community,
During my time at Oxy, I have witnessed firsthand how our students, faculty, staff, and alumni live up to the aspirations of our mission and bring our values of academic excellence, equity, community, and service to life. Our collective dedication to these values contributes to a more productive, humane, and just society.
Many of you have asked me how the federal policy environment and Executive Orders (EOs) that have been issued since Jan. 20 have changed our mission.
Short answer: they have not. Oxy’s commitment to educating a talented and diverse group of students for leadership in a complex, interdependent, and pluralistic society is more important than ever.
Longer answer: I write this having recently left Washington, D.C. where I met with members of the California Congressional Delegation and fellow college presidents during a week of higher education advocacy. My message was clear: higher education plays a vital role in advancing a productive and equitable society.
Taken together, these federal actions targeting research funding, student civil rights protections, institutional autonomy, and freedom of expression are a threat to higher education. Over the weekend, the Department of Education issued guidance which articulates an expansive view of prohibited activities, including many programs focused on student success and inclusion. Many of these moves will be challenged in courts and played out in the upcoming budget negotiations in Congress.
For decades, Occidental College has been committed to building a truly inclusive and pluralistic learning community. Oxy’s administration continues to work with our trustees, higher education advocacy associations, and national and California delegations to ensure that Oxy provides equal opportunity and access for students and creates an environment where all students can be successful. I am concerned the EOs will impact Oxy’s LGBTQ+, immigrant, and international communities, and want to be clear that our commitment to a non-discriminatory environment with equal protections for all—regardless of gender, citizenship, race, religion, or national origin—remains resolute.
As we navigate the coming months, I’ll be working directly with student, staff, and faculty leadership. I welcome further conversation about these complex and evolving issues and am scheduling time for discussions. If you’re able, please join me at a town hall in the coming days:
- Staff Town Hall, Lower Herrick, Thursday, February 20, 9-10 a.m.
- Faculty Town Hall, Lower Herrick, Friday, February 21, 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m.
- Student Town Hall, Lower Herrick, Monday, February 24, 5-7:30 p.m.
Discussion and debate—including disagreement with any positions I may have stated—are central to freedom of expression. I look forward to creating these and additional opportunities for us to live the values of a liberal arts education.
If you have concerns about how the shifting policy environment impacts you, please reach out to the many campus resources and offices here to help you. These include, but aren’t limited to, our Dean of Students and Student Affairs, Dean of the College and Academic Affairs, Intercultural Community Center, International Programs Office, Human Resources, and the Civil Rights & Title IX Office.
Best,
Tom